Cabinet Refinishing Burnaby BC 2026: Costs, Painting vs Refacing

Cabinet Refinishing Burnaby BC 2026: Costs, Painting vs Refacing, and Neighbourhood Guide

Cabinet refinishing in Burnaby costs $4,000–$15,000 for painting or refacing, and $18,000–$45,000+ to replace cabinets entirely. As one of Metro Vancouver's most densely populated cities, Burnaby has an exceptionally wide mix of housing stock — high-rise condos in Metrotown and Brentwood, 1940s–1960s character homes in Burnaby Heights and Capitol Hill, 1970s–1990s split-levels in South Burnaby and Edmonds, and newer builds in Sullivan Heights and Lougheed.

Which refinishing option makes sense depends on your building type, cabinet material, and neighbourhood. Below are real 2026 prices from our Burnaby renovation projects.

Cabinet Refinishing Costs in Burnaby (2026)

Option	Cost Range	Timeline	What's Included
Cabinet Painting	$4,000–$8,000	5–7 days	Spray-finished doors + boxes. Bonding primer, two finish coats. Hardware reuse or basic upgrade.
Door Refacing	$8,000–$15,000	1–2 weeks	Factory-finished doors + drawer fronts on existing boxes, matching end panels, soft-close hinges, new handles.
Full Replacement	$18,000–$45,000+	3–6 weeks	All cabinets removed and replaced. New boxes, doors, soft-close hinges, interior organizers.

Add $3,000–$8,000 if you're replacing countertops at the same time. The counter must come off for refacing — bundle it or pay for the disruption twice.

Real Burnaby project examples:

• Burnaby full custom kitchen — $30,000–$40,000 over 4–6 weeks (custom white shaker, quartz countertops, new fixtures). See our Burnaby kitchen renovation guide.
• Burnaby wood-vein semi-custom — $30,000–$35,000 over 4–5 weeks (textured laminate doors, waterfall quartz island).
• Metrotown condo painted cabinets — $4,500–$6,500 for spray-finished doors, same layout and boxes.
• South Burnaby refaced kitchen — $10,000–$13,500 for new shaker doors, soft-close hinges, and matching end panels on existing plywood boxes.

Pricing sourced from our Burnaby renovation projects.

Painting vs Refacing vs Replacing — Burnaby Decision Guide

Choose painting if:

• Boxes and doors are solid wood or MDF — we test on-site. Thermofoil and melamine won't hold paint reliably; 1990s–2000s condo kitchens have a high thermofoil rate in Burnaby
• You want to change colour but keep the door profile
• Budget is under $8,000
• You're planning to sell within 1–3 years — painting delivers the strongest ROI on a short timeline
• Timeline is tight (under 2 weeks — no strata permit required for paint-only in most Burnaby stratas)

Choose refacing if:

• Box condition is structurally sound but doors are chipped, warped, or very dated
• You want a door style update (raised-panel oak → slab or shaker)
• Soft-close hinges and new hardware are part of the scope
• Budget is $8,000–$15,000

Choose full replacement if:

• Boxes are swelling from old dishwasher leaks, particle board degrading at base — common in 1980s–1990s Burnaby strata kitchens
• You're changing layout (island, open-concept wall removal, peninsula to open) — common in Metrotown and South Burnaby homes
• You're doing a full kitchen renovation with new counters, backsplash, and appliances — full replacement is cost-effective when amortized across the larger project

Burnaby Kitchens by Neighbourhood

Metrotown and Brentwood (High-Rise Condos and Strata Towers)

Metrotown and Brentwood are Burnaby's two SkyTrain town centres — clusters of high-rise condos, concrete mixed-use towers, and strata-governed woodframe mid-rises. These are Burnaby's most common renovation context: compact kitchens in the 80–200 sq ft range, with open-concept living connecting to the dining area.

Metrotown and Brentwood cabinet considerations:

• Most condo kitchens from 2005–2020 use thermofoil or vinyl-wrapped MDF doors — painting is not an option (thermofoil peels). Refacing or full replacement are your choices
• Pre-2005 woodframe condos sometimes have real MDF or solid-wood doors that can be painted — we test every door during the free consultation
• Strata approval: painting and refacing typically don't require strata council approval (no plumbing or structural changes). Full replacement that involves sink relocation or range circuit work requires a strata alteration agreement — allow 4–6 weeks for approval plus strata's elevator booking and debris removal protocols
• Noise hours: Burnaby strata buildings typically limit construction noise to 8am–6pm weekdays and 9am–5pm Saturdays. We schedule around these

Typical Metrotown/Brentwood costs:

• Thermofoil door replacement with new MDF shaker faces: $8,000–$12,000
• Full condo kitchen replacement (same layout): $18,000–$28,000
• Paint (if material qualifies): $4,500–$6,500

Burnaby Heights and Capitol Hill (1940s–1970s Character Homes)

Burnaby Heights along Hastings Street and Capitol Hill are Burnaby's oldest residential neighbourhoods — bungalows and split-levels built from the 1940s through the 1970s, many with original kitchens or 1980s–1990s kitchen updates that are now 30–40 years old.

Capitol Hill and Burnaby Heights cabinet considerations:

• 1960s–70s original cabinets: often solid wood frames with painted MDF or particleboard doors. Paint with bonding primer works well if the doors are solid, but inspect carefully for moisture damage at the base
• 1980s–1990s updates: high likelihood of thermofoil, which won't hold paint. Refacing or replacement is the answer
• Kitchen layouts: many Capitol Hill homes have galley kitchens or compartmentalized layouts — full replacement is often the opportunity to open to the dining room. Budget $25,000–$38,000 for layout changes with new cabinets
• Countertop pairing: laminate or tile counters common from this era. Replacing with quartz during the same project is almost always the right move

Typical Capitol Hill/Burnaby Heights costs:

• Painted original solid-wood cabinets: $4,000–$7,000
• Refacing dated 1990s kitchen: $9,000–$14,000
• Full replacement with layout adjustment: $22,000–$40,000

South Burnaby, Edmonds, and Highgate (1970s–1990s Split-Levels)

South Burnaby and Edmonds are characterized by 1970s–1980s two-storey and split-level detached homes on large lots — many of which had kitchen updates in the early 2000s and are now showing that refresh's age. Highgate is a pocket of newer homes and townhouses near Highgate Village mall.

South Burnaby and Edmonds cabinet considerations:

• Early 2000s kitchen updates: common in this area — often featuring espresso or cherry cabinets with granite counters. These can be refreshed by painting to white or warm grey without touching the counter
• Larger kitchens: South Burnaby detached homes average 35–50 linear feet of cabinetry — at the upper end of the painting cost range
• Highgate townhouses: strata-governed, similar rules to condos. Check bylaws before starting

Typical South Burnaby/Edmonds costs:

• Painting espresso to white/grey (35–50 lf): $5,500–$8,000
• Refacing early-2000s kitchen: $10,000–$15,000
• Full replacement: $20,000–$38,000

Deer Lake and South Slope (1960s–2000s Mix)

Deer Lake and South Slope are quieter Burnaby neighbourhoods with a broad mix of housing eras — from 1960s character homes near Deer Lake Park to 1990s–2000s colonials on the slope toward New Westminster. Some of Burnaby's most architecturally interesting homes are in this area.

Deer Lake and South Slope cabinet considerations:

• Character homes: often have original solid-wood kitchens from the 1960s–70s. Painting is frequently excellent on these — original solid-wood doors accept bonding primer well and the transformation is dramatic
• 1990s colonials: raised-panel oak, typically good candidates for painting to a light neutral
• Heritage and character interiors: if your home has preserved 1950s–60s character details, consider whether a very modern kitchen aesthetic will feel incongruous — our consultants can advise on period-appropriate cabinet profiles

Typical Deer Lake/South Slope costs:

• Painted 1960s character kitchen: $4,000–$7,500
• Refaced 1990s raised-panel oak: $9,000–$13,500
• Full replacement in character home: $22,000–$42,000

Lougheed and Sullivan Heights (2000s–2020s Newer Builds)

Lougheed corridor and Sullivan Heights feature newer construction — concrete condo towers along the Evergreen Line, and post-2000 detached homes with modern kitchens. Kitchens here are often 10–20 years old and show early-2000s to mid-2010s style trends.

Lougheed and Sullivan Heights considerations:

• Post-2015 kitchens: often in excellent condition structurally — painting or hardware update may be all that's needed
• 2005–2015 builder kitchens: espresso, dark cherry, or dark walnut doors common. Painting to white or warm white is the most cost-effective transformation
• Lougheed SkyTrain corridor condos: check for thermofoil before quoting — 2010–2020 condo kitchens are mixed

Burnaby Building Permits for Cabinet Work

City of Burnaby Building Department:

• Website: burnaby.ca/building-permits
• Address: 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2

What doesn't require a permit:

• Cabinet painting, refacing, or replacement (same location)
• Countertop replacement (no drain relocation)
• Hardware and fixture swaps at existing locations
• Flooring replacement

What requires a permit:

• Moving the sink drain to a new location
• Adding or upgrading an electrical circuit (range circuit, heated floor)
• Structural changes (wall removal for open-concept)
• Secondary suite changes

Strata approvals (additional to City permits): For Metrotown, Brentwood, Lougheed, and Edmonds strata buildings, submit an alteration request to your strata council before starting. Cabinet painting and refacing without plumbing/electrical changes typically don't require formal strata approval — but review your bylaws. Full replacement involving a range circuit or sink relocation does. We carry the $5M CGL insurance all Burnaby stratas require.

City permit processing times: 2–4 weeks for plumbing/electrical; 4–8 weeks for structural work.

Our Burnaby Cabinet Refinishing Process

1. Free in-home consultation — measure every run, test door material (solid wood, MDF, thermofoil, or melamine), check box structural condition, discuss colour, profile, and hardware. Fixed written quote in 2–3 business days.
2. Material selection — door samples, colour chips, and hardware at our Richmond showroom.
3. Site prep — floors, appliances, and counters covered; strata elevator and noise schedule confirmed.
4. Dismantle — doors, drawer fronts, hinges, and hardware removed and labeled.
5. Painting: bonding primer, sand, two factory-finish coats sprayed in our shop. Returned and reinstalled in 5–7 days. Refacing: factory-finished doors delivered, end panels cut on-site, soft-close hinges and handles installed.
6. Walk-through — touch-ups on-the-spot and written warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Burnaby condo cabinets paintable?

It depends on the door material. Thermofoil (vinyl-wrapped doors, very common in Burnaby condos from the 1990s–2010s) doesn't hold paint reliably. Solid MDF or wood-veneer doors do paint well. We test on-site during the free consultation — there's no charge and no commitment.

Do I need strata approval for cabinet refinishing in Burnaby?

For painting (no plumbing or electrical changes): usually not required, but review your strata's alteration rules. For refacing (same — no structural changes): typically no approval required. For full replacement involving sink relocation or range circuit upgrade: strata alteration agreement required. We manage the application process and have all required insurance certificates ready.

How long does cabinet painting take in a Burnaby condo?

5–7 days on-site: 1 day to dismantle and clean, 3 days for doors in our shop (primer, two coats, dry time), 1 day to reinstall and hardware. The kitchen is out of full service for 3 days while doors are off-site; we leave lower cabinets accessible for basic use.

Do you serve other Metro Vancouver cities?

Yes. See our guides for Vancouver cabinet refinishing, Richmond cabinet refinishing, Surrey cabinet refinishing, Coquitlam cabinet refinishing, Port Coquitlam cabinet refinishing, Delta cabinet refinishing, New Westminster cabinet refinishing, North Vancouver cabinet refinishing, West Vancouver cabinet refinishing, Maple Ridge cabinet refinishing, Langley cabinet resurfacing, and Port Moody cabinet resurfacing.

Ready for a Quote?

Call 778-960-7999 or contact us for a free in-home consultation anywhere in Burnaby. We'll measure, test your cabinet material, and give you a fixed written quote within 2–3 business days — no obligation.

City of Burnaby Building Dept: burnaby.ca/building-permits | 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2