Dublin Kitchens
Replace Kitchen Cabinet Doors or Buy a New Kitchen? Costs and How to Decide
If the cabinets in your kitchen are solid and the layout works, you may not need a new kitchen at all. Replacing the kitchen cabinet doors, drawer fronts and handles changes most of what you see for a fraction of the price. If the carcasses are swollen, the layout is wrong or the worktop is failing, new doors won’t fix it. This guide covers how to tell which situation you’re in, what each option costs at Kitchens4U, and what people tend to forget.
Quick answer: Replace the doors if the cabinets are dry, square and in the right place, and you’re happy with the worktop. In a recent Clondalkin job we replaced doors, drawer fronts, plinths and handles on a U-shaped kitchen for €5,000–€7,000 in two to three days. Go for a new kitchen if the carcasses are damaged, the layout doesn’t suit you, or you want to change the worktop, sink position or appliances as well.
Check the cabinets before you look at doors
A new door hangs on an old box, so the box decides whether this is worth doing. Open every press and check:
- Water damage. Look at the base of the sink unit and the cabinet beside the dishwasher. Chipboard that has swollen or gone soft won’t hold a hinge screw.
- Square and level. If doors on the old kitchen never lined up, the cabinets may have moved. New doors will show it.
- Standard sizes. Most fitted kitchens in Ireland use standard carcass widths, which makes replacement doors straightforward. Very old or bespoke kitchens may have odd sizes that need a closer look.
- Hinge holes. Standard concealed hinges use a 35mm cup. If the old doors used the same type, the new ones can usually be drilled to match.
If two or three units are damaged but the rest are fine, you can replace those few cabinets and still keep the job a door replacement overall.
What replacing the doors actually changes
| Replacement doors | New kitchen | |
|---|---|---|
| Doors and drawer fronts | New | New |
| Handles and plinths | Usually new | New |
| Cabinet carcasses | Kept | New |
| Worktop, sink, tiles | Kept (can be changed separately) | Usually new |
| Layout | Same | Can change |
| Time on site | Two to three days in our Clondalkin example | Around a week for a typical kitchen, longer with stone worktops |
| Mess | Little; the kitchen stays usable | Kitchen out of use during the fit |
What replacement doors cost at Kitchens4U
Door prices depend on size and finish. These are the starting prices for the smallest sizes in each of our replacement door ranges, taken from the product pages this month:
| Door type | From (per door) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Edged slab | €21.06 | Plain, modern look; 14 colours in the Valentina range |
| 5-piece shaker | €19.48 | Framed shaker, ranges such as Fenwick, Harlem and Dylan |
| Vinyl (PVC) wrapped | €25.39 | The widest choice, with 74 colours across matt, superior matt, Legno and woodgrain finishes |
| Painted timber | €31.67 | Solid timber with a painted finish |
| Painted MDF | €33.58 | Smooth painted finish, 32 colours |
A full-height or wide door costs a lot more than the starting price, so the total depends on how many doors, drawer fronts and panels your kitchen has. The quickest way to get a real figure is to count your doors and drawers and send us the sizes, or bring a list to the showroom.
A real example: Clondalkin
In our Clondalkin project the U-shaped layout worked, the cabinets were in good order and the worktops were fine. The oak-effect doors were what made the room look dated. We fitted Melrose Denim matt vinyl shaker doors, new drawer fronts, plinths and chunky D handles, and kept the carcasses, worktops, tiles, sink and appliances. The budget was €5,000–€7,000 and the work took two to three days.
When a new kitchen is the better spend
- The carcasses are water-damaged or falling apart.
- You want a different layout, an island, or the sink moved.
- You’re replacing the worktop and appliances anyway. Once those are in the budget, the gap to a new kitchen gets smaller.
- You want integrated appliances where there are freestanding ones now. That usually means new housings.
If that’s where you are, our flat pack kitchens start from €3,935, and the same door styles are available as complete cabinets.
Things people forget
- End panels and fillers. If you change colour, the old end panels, fillers and plinths will stand out. Order them in the new finish.
- Hinges. Old hinges often aren’t soft-close. Replacing them at the same time costs little and makes the new doors feel new.
- Appliance doors. An integrated dishwasher or fridge door needs a door in the new finish too.
- Cornice and pelmet. If your wall units have them, they need to match the new doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to replace kitchen cabinet doors than buy a new kitchen?
Usually, yes, if the cabinets are sound. Our Clondalkin door replacement came in at €5,000–€7,000 including doors, drawer fronts, plinths and handles. A full kitchen replacement includes new cabinets, worktops and fitting, so it costs more.
Can I replace only the doors and keep my worktop?
Yes. The worktop, sink and tiles can all stay. In Clondalkin they were kept exactly as they were.
How long does replacing kitchen doors take?
Two to three days on site in our Clondalkin example. Bigger kitchens or extra work such as new panels can take longer.
Will new doors fit my old cabinets?
Most kitchens in Ireland use standard cabinet widths, so they usually do. Send us your door sizes or photos and we’ll check before you order.
Not sure which way to go? Send us photos of your kitchen or book a free design consultation. We’ll tell you honestly whether new doors will do the job.
