Why AI Search Changes Everything for Cabinet Refacing Companies
Your next customer is not typing "cabinet refacing near me" into Google and scrolling through ten blue links. They're asking ChatGPT: "How much does cabinet refacing cost and who's good in my area?" They're asking Perplexity: "Should I reface or replace my kitchen cabinets?" They're asking Google's AI Overview to summarize the answer before they ever see your website.
This isn't a prediction. It's already happening. ChatGPT processes over 3 billion prompts per month. Perplexity hit 780 million monthly queries in 2025, up 340% year-over-year. And Google AI Overviews now appear on roughly 25% of all searches.
What does this mean for your cabinet refacing business?
It means the companies that AI recommends get the calls. The companies it doesn't mention might as well not exist. And right now, most cabinet refacing businesses are invisible to AI search engines because they're doing nothing to get cited.
How is AI search different from regular Google search?
Traditional SEO gets your website ranked on page one. AI search skips the page entirely. The AI reads dozens of sources, synthesizes an answer, and presents it directly. If your content is one of those sources, you get cited: your name, your data, your expertise shows up in the answer. If it's not, the homeowner never sees you. There's no "page two" in AI search. You're either in the answer or you're nowhere.
Here's the number that should keep you up at night: 93% of AI search sessions end without a single click to an external website. That means your brand impression has to happen inside the AI answer itself.
What Gets Cited by AI Search Engines (And What Gets Ignored)
AI search engines don't cite every website. They're selective, and they follow patterns. Understanding those patterns is how you get your cabinet refacing business into the answer.
Which sources do ChatGPT and Perplexity actually cite?
Research from Averi.ai's 2026 Citation Benchmarks Report shows ChatGPT's citation patterns clearly. Wikipedia accounts for 7.8% of all citations. Reddit takes 1.8%. For Perplexity, Reddit dominates at 46.7% of top citations, with YouTube at 13.9%.
For cabinet refacing queries specifically, the sources that currently dominate AI answers are:
- Houzz: professional directories and forum discussions
- HomeAdvisor and Angi: cost data and contractor reviews
- HomeGuide: pricing guides
- Bob Vila and This Old House: editorial authority
- Reddit: especially r/HomeImprovement and r/KitchenRemodel
- YouTube: walkthrough and before/after videos
Notice what's missing? The websites of actual cabinet refacing companies. That's the gap. And that's your opportunity.
What type of content gets picked up by AI?
AI engines extract passages, not pages. They love content that is:
According to Schema.org's structured data standards, FAQ markup is one of the strongest signals you can send to both search engines and AI. Here's what AI engines prioritize:
- Answer-first: a direct 40-60 word answer at the top, then supporting detail
- Stat-rich: concrete numbers, cost ranges, percentages with dates
- Structured: comparison tables, numbered lists, FAQ sections
- Current: fresh content with recent dates beats older "ultimate guides"
- Standalone: every paragraph should make sense pulled out of context
Content that says "call us for a quote" or "costs vary by project" gets ignored. Content that says "cabinet refacing costs $4,200 to $10,200 for an average kitchen, with laminate at $80-$125 per linear foot and solid wood at $200-$500 per linear foot" gets cited.
The 6-Step Playbook: Getting Your Cabinet Business Into AI Answers
Step 1: Build a cost guide that AI can't ignore
The single highest-impact piece of content you can create is a detailed, transparent cost guide for cabinet refacing in your market. This is what homeowners ask AI about more than anything else.
Your cost guide needs:
| Element | What to Include | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| National averages | $4,200-$10,200 for average kitchen | Establishes authority |
| Per-linear-foot pricing | $100-$250 depending on material | Specific and extractable |
| Material tiers | Laminate ($80-$125/LF), veneer ($100-$250/LF), solid wood ($200-$500/LF) | Comparison data AI loves |
| Your local pricing context | "In [your market], costs run 10-15% above national average due to..." | Local relevance |
| Refacing vs. replacing | Refacing saves 50-70% compared to full replacement | Decision-making data |
| Timeline | 3-5 days for refacing vs. 2-4 weeks for full replacement | Practical answer |
Put the key answer, average cost range, in the first paragraph. AI systems pull 44.2% of their citations from the first 30% of content. Front-load the answer.
Step 2: Create FAQ content with schema markup
Every page on your site should have an FAQ section with at least four questions. Use the exact questions homeowners type into ChatGPT.
High-priority questions for cabinet refacing:
How much does cabinet refacing cost?
National average is $4,200 to $10,200 for a standard kitchen with 20-25 linear feet of cabinets. Laminate refacing runs $80-$125 per linear foot. Wood veneer costs $100-$250 per linear foot. Solid wood premium refacing can reach $200-$500 per linear foot. Add 15-20% for new hardware, crown molding, or specialty finishes.
Is cabinet refacing worth it?
Yes, if your cabinet boxes are structurally sound and you like your current kitchen layout. Refacing saves 50-70% compared to full replacement, takes days instead of weeks, and delivers a like-new appearance. It's not worth it if cabinets are water-damaged, made of deteriorating particle board, or if you want to change the layout entirely.
How long does cabinet refacing take?
Professional cabinet refacing takes 3-5 working days for a standard kitchen. Compare that to 2-4 weeks for a full cabinet replacement, which involves demolition, custom ordering, and installation. Your kitchen stays functional during most of the refacing process.
What's the difference between refacing, refinishing, and painting cabinets?
Painting covers existing surfaces with new paint ($1,500-$4,000). Refinishing strips and re-stains existing wood ($2,000-$5,000). Refacing replaces cabinet doors and drawer fronts entirely while covering exposed frames with matching veneer ($4,200-$10,200). Refacing delivers the most dramatic transformation short of full replacement.
Each FAQ answer should be wrapped in FAQPage schema markup (the structured data format Google and AI engines use to parse question-and-answer content). Your web developer or marketing agency can implement this. It's a standard JSON-LD block that tells search engines "this is a real FAQ, not just a page with questions on it." The difference in AI citation rates between pages with and without FAQ schema is significant.
Step 3: Dominate your Google Business Profile
Google AI Overviews pull heavily from Google Business Profile data. For cabinet refacing companies, your GBP is critical.
- Primary category: "Cabinet Maker" or "Kitchen Remodeler"
- Secondary categories: "Cabinet Store," "Countertop Contractor"
- Services listed: Cabinet refacing, cabinet installation, countertop replacement, hardware upgrades, custom cabinetry
- Photos: Before-and-after kitchen transformations. Real jobs, real kitchens. Not stock photos. Businesses with over 100 photos get 520% more calls than average
- Reviews: This is the game. You need a steady stream of five-star reviews mentioning specific services ("They refaced our 30-year-old oak cabinets and they look brand new")
- Posts: Weekly GBP posts showing completed projects, seasonal promotions, or customer spotlights
Reviews are especially powerful for AI citation. When a homeowner asks ChatGPT "Who's the best cabinet refacing company in [your city]?", the AI looks at review volume, recency, star rating, and the content of the reviews themselves.
Step 4: Get active on Reddit and Houzz
Reddit is the number one or number two cited source for both Perplexity (46.7% of top citations) and Google AI Overviews (21.0%). Houzz dominates for kitchen and cabinet discussions specifically.
Reddit strategy:
- Monitor r/HomeImprovement, r/KitchenRemodel, r/HomeOwners for cabinet refacing questions
- Answer with genuine expertise: material recommendations, realistic cost expectations, when refacing does and doesn't make sense
- Never hard-sell. Share knowledge. Mention your company only when directly relevant
- Include specific data points in every answer (costs, timelines, material comparisons)
Houzz strategy:
- Complete your professional profile with portfolio photos
- Answer questions in Houzz Discussions: threads like "Tell Us Your Cabinet Refacing Success Stories" and "Refacing vs Replacing Kitchen Cabinets" get thousands of views
- Link your Houzz profile to your website
YouTube strategy:
- Create 5-8 minute walkthrough videos of cabinet refacing projects
- Title videos as questions: "How Much Does Cabinet Refacing Cost in 2026?"
- Include full descriptions with timestamps and key data points
- YouTube appears in 13.9% of Perplexity citations and frequently in Google AI Overviews
Step 5: Build comparison content AI can extract
AI search engines love structured comparisons. Create content around these high-value comparisons:
Cabinet Refacing vs. Replacement:
| Factor | Refacing | Full Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Average Cost | $4,200-$10,200 | $10,000-$35,000+ |
| Timeline | 3-5 days | 2-4 weeks |
| Kitchen Disruption | Minimal | Significant |
| Layout Change | No | Yes |
| Durability | 10-20+ years | 20-30+ years |
| ROI at Resale | High (low cost, dramatic visual impact) | Moderate (high cost, higher value) |
| Best For | Solid boxes, love your layout, want a refresh | Damaged boxes, need layout changes, full remodel |
Material Comparison:
| Material | Cost per Linear Foot | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate/Thermofoil | $80-$125 | 5-10 years | Budget refresh, rental properties |
| Wood Veneer | $100-$250 | 10-15 years | Mid-range, real wood appearance |
| Solid Wood | $200-$500 | 15-25+ years | Premium, can refinish later |
These tables are citation gold. AI engines extract tabular data more readily than prose, and homeowners asking comparison questions get your data served directly in the answer.
Step 6: Cite authoritative sources in your content
AI engines boost content visibility by 40% when it cites authoritative sources. In every piece of content you publish, reference:
- NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association): Industry data and market projections: the K&B industry is projected at $235 billion in revenue
- Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report: Annual benchmark for remodeling ROI
- NAHB (National Association of Home Builders): Remodeling market growth data: activity expected to increase 3% in 2026
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Housing and construction labor data
Don't just link to these sources. Quote specific findings with dates. "According to the NAHB's 2026 Remodeling Market Outlook, remodeling activity is projected to increase 3% this year" is far more citable than "industry experts say the market is growing."
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Get My Free Growth AuditWhat the Numbers Look Like for Cabinet Refacing Marketing
Understanding the marketing benchmarks helps you measure whether your AI visibility strategy is actually working.
How much should a cabinet refacing company spend on marketing?
Established cabinet refacing companies should allocate 8-12% of gross revenue to marketing. Growth-focused companies pushing into new territories may need 10-15%. A cabinet refacing company doing $1M annually should invest $80K-$150K per year across all channels.
What's a good cost per lead for cabinet refacing?
Cabinet refacing and remodeling leads run higher than emergency home services because the ticket size is larger and the sales cycle is longer:
- Average CPL (all channels): $150-$400
- Google Ads CPC for remodeling terms: $8-$18
- High-intent competitive metros: $100-$250 CPC
- Lead-to-job conversion rate: 30-50% with strong follow-up
The math still works. A $400 lead that converts at 40% to a $7,000 refacing job puts your customer acquisition cost at $1,000. That's a 7:1 return on marketing spend. Track cost per booked project, not cost per click.
Why does AI search matter for this math?
Because AI-sourced leads convert 4.4x better than traditional organic traffic. When a homeowner gets your name from ChatGPT's answer, they arrive pre-educated and pre-sold. They already know your pricing, your process, and why you're recommended. That shorter sales cycle means lower cost per closed deal.
The Cabinet Refacing AI Visibility Checklist
Use this checklist to audit your current AI readiness and track your progress:
Content Foundation:
- Detailed cost guide with specific price ranges by material type
- Refacing vs. replacing comparison page with data table
- FAQ page with 10+ questions and FAQPage schema markup
- At least 4 blog posts covering cabinet refacing topics with current data
- All content leads with direct answers in the first paragraph
Technical SEO:
- FAQPage schema on every page with Q&A content
- Article schema with author bio (name, credentials, experience)
- Organization schema with business details
- Speakable schema on key answer passages
- Allow AI crawlers in robots.txt (GPTBot, ChatGPT-User, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot)
Third-Party Presence:
- Google Business Profile fully completed with 50+ photos and steady reviews
- Active Houzz professional profile with portfolio
- Answering questions on Reddit r/HomeImprovement and r/KitchenRemodel
- YouTube channel with project walkthrough videos
- Profiles on HomeAdvisor/Angi, Thumbtack, BBB
Monitoring:
- Monthly manual check: run top 20 cabinet refacing queries through ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overview
- Track: Are you cited? Who is cited instead? What content do they have that you don't?
- Update content quarterly with fresh cost data and new project examples
FAQ: AI Search for Cabinet Refacing Businesses
Can a small cabinet refacing company actually get recommended by ChatGPT?
Yes. ChatGPT and Perplexity don't care about company size. They care about content quality, third-party mentions, and data specificity. A local cabinet refacing company with a detailed cost guide, active Reddit presence, and strong Google reviews can absolutely get cited over national brands with generic websites.
How long does it take to show up in AI search results?
Content changes can appear in AI answers within 2-4 weeks for platforms like Perplexity that crawl frequently. ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews may take 1-3 months as they refresh their indexes. Third-party presence (Reddit, Houzz, reviews) builds authority over time. Expect 3-6 months for compound effect.
Should I block AI crawlers to protect my content?
No. Blocking AI crawlers means zero chance of citation. For a cabinet refacing business, the visibility from being cited in AI answers far outweighs any concern about content reuse. Allow GPTBot, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot, and Google-Extended full access.
What's the most important thing I can do this week?
Publish a detailed cabinet refacing cost guide for your local market with specific price ranges by material type, a refacing vs. replacing comparison table, and FAQ schema markup. This single page will give AI engines more citable content than most cabinet companies have on their entire website.
Is this just for ChatGPT or does it work for Google too?
It works across all AI search platforms: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Gemini, and Copilot. The same content principles (answer-first structure, specific data, FAQ schema, third-party presence) improve visibility across every AI engine. Google AI Overviews appear on roughly 25% of searches and that number is climbing.
Your competitors are getting recommended by AI while you're not even in the conversation. That gap grows every month. Get your free growth audit and we'll show you exactly where your cabinet refacing business stands in AI search, and what it'll take to get your phone ringing.
About the Author
Matt Watson is the founder of Watson & Co. Marketing. Over two decades in digital marketing. More than $25 million in sales driven for the companies he's worked with. MBA. PMP certified. Watson & Co. helps home services companies (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, tree service, and cabinet refacing) get booked solid through SEO, Google Ads, Local Services Ads, and marketing automation. One partner per market. No conflicts. Just results.