Does Veneer Replacement Cost the Same As New Ones?

First of all, I don't know where you got your information that a set of porcelain veneers only last 5-10 years?  That might be a range for the weaker plastic direct composite veneers, but those of us who are placing porcelain veneers, especially the new extremely strong EMax porcelain veneers, expect porcelain veneers to last many times longer than that. 

But, there are many variables that affect how long they will last.  Like a car, how long it lasts depends on what kind of car you bought in the first place, did you get into any accidents, do you drive it only on the streets or do you go off-roading, do you keep up your regularly preventive maintenance, what kind of driver are you, etc., etc.  With veneers, what material (plastic composite or porcelain) was used, how good and experienced is the dentist, is the patient a grinder or clencher, any accidents that hit the tooth or veneer, see the dentist on a regular basis to check the veneers, etc.?

I've been placing porcelain veneers since they were first introduced to dentistry around 1985, and even with the older techniques, bonding agents and porcelain, I have many veneers still functioning very nicely after over twenty years.

Regarding replacement costs.  Like a dental crown, usually if a porcelain veneer (not plastic composite veneer) comes off it can easily be bonded back into place.  If there is a little chip or area of decay or leakage, that can usually be fixed without replacing the entire veneer.  Frequently a dentist offers a sliding scale for veneer remakes on those rare cases where that is necessary.  Usually a dentist will replace at no cost if something happens during the first year, at half cost at 2 1/2 years, and full cost after five years.  The reason is that the longer the porcelain veneer was in the patient's mouth, the more likely the breakage had something to do with what that patient did or didn't do, and less with anything related to material or technique by the dentist.  So most cosmetic dentists will charge full fee to replace a porcelain veneer after five years.  The good news is that it is usually only a single porcelain veneer that needs to be replaced, not all of them.

Think about it.  Let's say you bought a BMW and after five years you got into an accident and damaged the fender, or even totaled the vehicle.  You wouldn't expect the BMW dealer to replace the BMW at no charge, would you?

The answer is it depends. Sometimes replacing poorly placed veneers can cost more if the procedure was done poorly the first time. 

Removing veneers can take more time than placing them for the first time, so this could also contribute to the cost being more.

Your best option is to take care of your veneers to ensure they last longer.

Wear a protective nightguard EVERY night. Brush and floss daily. Avoid staining foods and smoking and get your teeth cleaned every 3-6 months.