Cabinet work splits into two very different jobs, and it matters which one you're actually asking a contractor to do. Refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes in place and swaps out the doors, drawer fronts, and exposed panels, then covers the visible box edges with matching veneer. It's faster and cheaper than a full teardown, and it works well when the boxes are square, dry, and structurally sound. Full installation means ripping out the old cabinets and putting in new boxes, which is the right call if you're changing the layout, dealing with water damage, or the carcasses are out of level. The 8 businesses in this New Haven category cover both, and a few do custom builds on top of that.
When you're comparing quotes, look past the sticker price. Ask what the boxes are made of (plywood holds up better than particleboard in a city with humid summers and old, sometimes uneven plaster walls), how doors are hung (soft-close hinges are now standard, not an upcharge), and whether the crew handles electrical and plumbing tie-ins themselves or subs it out. Get a written timeline and a clear line on who's responsible for disposal of the old units.
Our ranking weighs licensing, verified reviews, response time, and the consistency of finished work across jobs, not just star counts. See how each of these 8 pros stacks up in the ranked guide to New Haven's best kitchen cabinet companies, and read our methodology for the full scoring breakdown.
