COST CALCULATOR

How Much Does It Cost To Refinish Cabinets?

Q: What are the costs for different kitchen cabinets?

A ready-made stock cabinet costs anywhere from $75 to $400 per linear foot. Semi-custom cabinets range between $150 and $900 more per linear foot, including installation. The cost of custom kitchen cabinets is much higher, starting at $500 and going up to $1,400 or more per linear foot installed.

Q: How do you choose the best cabinet refinishing laborer?

You know you’ve found a good contractor when they’re open to discussing estimates, are willing to provide references and certification, and if other people have left reviews. You can often check their website to see their previous experience, which gives a good idea of their work style.

Q: What should I ask my contractor about in advance?

Ask your laborer if their work is guaranteed, which means they'll return and fix it if anything goes wrong. Also, ask if they offer custom work or a certain specialty and if they can produce samples of their work.

Q: Is it cheaper to refinish my kitchen cabinets than replace them?

It’s cheaper to refinish your kitchen cabinets. Refinishing kitchen cabinets costs an average of $3000 while replacing cabinets is usually over $5,000. A refinished job looks as though they’ve been replaced without having the high expense.

Q: How much does labor cost to refinish kitchen cabinets?

Labor costs to refinish kitchen cabinets is anywhere from $50 to $250 per linear foot, depending on the materials, whether it is a basic or custom design, and the experience of your contractor. Extra items like installing hardware, such as hinges and cabinet door pulls, will add up too. When estimating the cost to refinish cabinets in your kitchen, there are a number of unforeseen expenses that can incur. Being prepared beforehand will help you budget appropriately.

Typical range: $604-$1,341

Find out how much your project will cost

Zip Code

cost to refinish cabinets Calculator

For your project in zip code 98109 with these options, the cost to refinish cabinets starts at $5.03-$11.18 per square foot. Your actual price will depend on job size, conditions, finish options you choose.

Refinishing kitchen cabinets is an economical way to update a kitchen without having the expense of removing old cabinets and replacing them with new ones. As long as the cabinets are structurally sound, refinishing is an easier and quicker alternative to refacing or replacing them.

The cost to refinish cabinets in your kitchen is about $2700 overall for materials and labor. Refacing cabinets is between $4000 and $9500 and, in some cases, is an alternative to refinishing if the cabinets are in poor condition. Refacing keeps the overall structure of your cabinets, but replaces all the hinges, handles, and doors. To completely replace the kitchen cabinets costs from $75 to $400 per linear foot for a new stock cabinet, $75 to $400 per linear foot for a semi-custom cabinet, and $1400 or more per linear foot for a custom cabinet.

Kitchen cabinet refinishing allows you to match the colors to the rest of your kitchen and correct scratches and scuffs. A professional contractor usually charges based on the work done for each project and will give you an estimate before doing any work. Keep in mind that the overall cost will range depending on the material, the laborer, and the scale of work to be done. For example, wood cabinets require significant prep work before they can be refinished. Another important factor is the condition of the current cabinets. The overall cabinet refinishing costs rise if they need to be sanded and buffed.

Cost Calculator

Zip Code

Calculations are dependent on where you live

Square Feet

Standard Services		Quantity	Low	High
What you can expect
Range per square foot:			$5.03	$11.18
Range for this type of project:			$604	$1,341
Estimate: $972
	Cabinet Refinishing Cost	128 square feet	$45	$111
	Cost of oil-based, semi-transparent stain with integral sealer for a beautiful, classic look for wood cabinets. Rate includes local delivery, and standard excess for perfect coverage and touch-ups.
	Basic Labor for Cabinet Refinishing	14 hours	$459	$1,116
	Labor costs for complete project under standard conditions. This will start with a full assessment of the space. The layout will be planned, appropriate equipment acquired, materials transported, and all preparation, painting and cleanup carried out. Preparation will require up to 6 hours per 100 square feet, and involves removing or masking hardware, as well as scraping and sanding the door surface. Uniform coat of semi-transparent stain will be applied to cabinets, and all hardware replaced.
	Job Supplies for Cabinet Refinishing	128 square feet	$100	$114
	All of the supplies and materials necessary for flawless refinishing, such as masking tape and paper, materials to repair the painting surface, primers, and cleaning supplies.

Standard services

Cabinet Refinishing Cost
$45 -$111

128
square feet

Cost of oil-based, semi-transparent stain with integral sealer for a beautiful, classic look for wood cabinets. Rate includes local delivery, and standard excess for perfect coverage and touch-ups.

Basic Labor for Cabinet Refinishing
$459 -$1,116

14
hours

Labor costs for complete project under standard conditions. This will start with a full assessment of the space. The layout will be planned, appropriate equipment acquired, materials transported, and all preparation, painting and cleanup carried out. Preparation will require up to 6 hours per 100 square feet, and involves removing or masking hardware, as well as scraping and sanding the door surface. Uniform coat of semi-transparent stain will be applied to cabinets, and all hardware replaced.

Job Supplies for Cabinet Refinishing
$100 -$114

128
square feet

All of the supplies and materials necessary for flawless refinishing, such as masking tape and paper, materials to repair the painting surface, primers, and cleaning supplies.

Optional Services

What you can expect

Range per square foot:
$5 - $11

Range for this type of project:
$604 - $1,341

Estimate:
$972

Cost Comparison

YOUR ESTIMATE

$972

NATIONAL AVERAGE RANGE

$566 -$1,257

YOUR ESTIMATE

Refinish cabinets: national average cost

The national average materials cost to refinish cabinets is $0.57 per square foot, with a range between $0.33 to $0.81. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $7.60, coming in between $4.72 to $10.48. A typical 120 square foot project costs $911.68, with a range of $566.00 to $1,257.37. Your actual price will depend on your location, job size, conditions and finish options you choose.

cost to refinish cabinets
National Avg. Materials Cost per square foot	$0.57
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 120 square foot	$911.68
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 120 square foot	$566.00 - $1,257.37

Cost to refinish cabinets

The cost to refinish cabinets varies depending on the specific finishing type. All kitchen cabinet refinishing projects start the same, with removing the old paint or stain and sanding to get down to the bare wood. Beyond that, your choice of finish type impacts your overall cost. Here is a comprehensive list of the different types of stains and everything you need to know about them:

Staining cabinets

Cabinet staining costs around $100 to $200 per project or $4 to $8 per square foot. This is a great way to redo the look of natural wood with affordable materials. However, staining only works with solid wood, so if you have veneers, go for another type of finish. Choose a darker color than the original coat for the best results.

Painting cabinets

The cost to paint cabinets is around $200 to $300 per project or $6 to $14 per square foot. When painting cabinets, make sure your pro chooses paints specifically made for kitchens to minimize premature chipping.

Glazing cabinets

Glazing cabinets cost approximately $300 to $1,000 per project or $10 to $25 per square foot. This semi-transparent coating goes on after paint, giving the wood an antique or retro look. Glazing typically alters the color of the wood, so carefully choose the correct glaze for your cabinets.

Varnishing cabinets

Varnishing cabinets cost around $200 to $400 per project or $6 to $16 per square foot. Varnishing comes in several different types, such as polyurethane and conversion. Homeowners choose it because they want to retain the wood cabinets to keep their natural look.

Shellacking cabinets

Shellacking cabinets cost about $200 to $400 per project or $6 to $16 per square foot. Shellac does a great job at both sealing the wood and creating a warm and natural semi-transparent finish.

Kitchen cabinet refinishing cost factors

On average, Americans pay $2700 for refinishing kitchen cabinets. The cabinet refinishing cost is usually charged on a per-project basis, with the contractor giving an estimate upfront. Several factors affect the overall cost of your kitchen cabinet refinishing project, so be sure to properly prepare yourself beforehand to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Here’s a list of everything you need to consider before your kitchen cabinet refinishing project:

The size and quantity of your kitchen cabinets. For smaller kitchens with fewer cabinets and basic designs, budget for $1500 and up. Larger kitchens with many cabinets or intricate designs or finishings will drive the price up to $5000 for the completed project.
The condition of your cabinets. If the contractor has to do a lot of work to the structure of your current cabinets, it’ll cost more. Sometimes wood becomes warped over time, or the material has suffered an impact, in which case it’ll have to be restructured. It costs about $300 to repair kitchen cabinets.
The material of your cabinets. For example, wood needs a lot of prepping before the refinishing work may be completed.
The rate of labor in your area. Call around for estimates and choose the best contractor based on reviews, credentials, and experience. Cabinet refinishing laborers usually cost about $55 per hour, depending on their experience, certifications, and job factors. You’ll probably get an estimate on a per-project basis rather than an hourly rate.
The complexity of the cabinet design and your desired outcome. Kitchen cabinets last decades, so some people like to invest in them and have a custom design. There are many refinishing options, such as shelves, hook placement, underlighting, and engraving.

DIY or hire a pro

If you have some experience with carpentry, at-home handiwork, and several hours to put aside for a DIY project, it’s possible to do the work yourself. If you’re considering this route, here are some things you can do to make sure you’re on the right track:

Have a place to do the stripping and refinishing work. Some people do this in the garage, backyard, or in a large room with a dropcloth on the floor.
Select your tools carefully. Depending on the materials of your kitchen cabinets and the work that needs to be done, you’ll want to be prepared with all the right tools to do the work correctly.
Schedule the time. It takes anywhere from three to five days of solid work, or 30 to 50 hours, which could mean a few weeks of after-work labor.
Have a backup kitchen space. If you’re doing the work yourself, it could take weeks. Having an alternative place to cook or another solution for meals is an important factor many people forget about until it’s too late. A professional would be able to do the job in a few days, saving the inconvenience.