Giving your cabinets a facelift is one of the smartest and most cost-effective ways to update your kitchen. Refinishing lets you skip the expense of full cabinet replacement while still dramatically changing the look and feel of the space. But even though it’s more affordable, refinishing comes with a range of costs that can surprise homeowners if they’re not prepared.
To make sure you’re budgeting realistically and choosing the right finish for your needs, let’s break down what you’re really paying for when it comes to cabinet refinishing.
Labor Takes Time—and Time Costs Money
The bulk of your refinishing budget often goes to labor, and for good reason. Refinishing cabinets isn’t a fast job. It takes time to remove all the doors and hardware, clean and sand each surface, apply multiple coats of stain or paint, and then reassemble everything. Professional finishers bring experience and the right tools, which makes a big difference in the final look—but also bumps up the cost.
Design and Detail Add to the Complexity
This is where cabinet refinishing cost can start to climb without you even realizing it. Cabinets with raised panels, intricate moldings, or decorative trims require more time and precision to sand and refinish properly. Flat, minimalist styles are easier (and cheaper) to update, while custom or vintage cabinetry may need a more careful and costly approach.
Surface Condition Impacts the Workload
Before any paint or stain goes on, the existing surface needs to be prepped. Cabinets that are heavily scratched, stained, …
Read More