Staining kitchen cabinets is the easiest and least expensive way to update a kitchen's look and create a beautiful and inviting space for family and friends to gather. Staining kitchen cabinets gives them character by emphasising the wood's natural grain pattern, a feature that paint tends to cover.
Standard Services | Quantity | Low | High | ||
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What you can expect | |||||
Range per square foot: | $4.19 | $9.79 | |||
Range for this type of project: | $503 | $1,175 | |||
Estimate: $839 | |||||
Cabinet Finishing Cost | 128 square feet | $41 | $100 | ||
Complete cost of oil-based, semi-transparent stain with integral sealer for a durable, natural finish. Rate is inclusive of local delivery, as well as standard excess for perfect coverage and occasional touch-ups. | |||||
Cabinet Finishing Labor, Basic | 14 hours | $423 | $1,031 | ||
Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete project. Surface will be prepared by removing and masking hardware and thorough cleaning, scraping, and sanding (up to 6 hours per 100 SF). Stain will be uniformly applied, and two coats of water-based clear coating will ensure longevity. After the coating dries, all hardware will be replaced. Fee is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of project site, and meticulous cleanup. | |||||
Cabinet Finishing Job Supplies | 128 square feet | $38 | $44 | ||
Requisite supplies for the job, including masking tape and paper, materials for surface repair and preparation, primers, and cleanup supplies. |
cost to stain and finish kitchen cabinets | |
National Avg. Materials Cost per square foot | $0.57 |
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 120 square foot | $870.70 |
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 120 square foot | $521.88 - $1,219.51 |
The first step in staining kitchen cabinets is to choose the color or shade of stain that fits with the kitchen's color scheme. A lighter stain may go better in kitchens that don't receive a lot of natural light, but homeowners can also mix it up by using a darker stain for base cabinets and a lighter color for wall cabinets or vice versa.
Removing the doors and hardware is imperative for the process to be completed properly and efficiently. Professionals will remove the cabinets, clean them and use a stripper to take off the old paint or stain. The cabinets also need to be sanded before they can be stained which causes dust, so appliances and other items throughout the kitchen or workspace should be covered before beginning the project.
Cabinets must be sealed after staining. Some stains have polyurethane in them for one-step finishing, but many do not. Polyurethane is the most-recommended sealer and the one most often used by professional contractors. Once the sealant dries, it's time to put the doors and hardware back on and enjoy the kitchen's new look.