You can expect cabinet refinishing to range widely—roughly $1,000 to $10,000+—depending on kitchen size, prep and repair needs, finish type, and local labor rates; small DIY jobs cost a few hundred, professional refinishings typically run $2,000–$9,500, and high-end or extensive repairs push the price higher. Costs break down per door, drawer, and linear foot, and extras like hardware, moldings, or refacing add hundreds to thousands, so see itemized quotes to compare options and learn more.
TLDR
- Typical professional refinishing ranges roughly $2,000–$10,000, with most jobs averaging $4,000–$9,500.
- Per-linear-foot pricing commonly falls between $100–$250; doors often run $25–$100 each.
- Costs rise with prep/repairs, high‑quality finishes, specialty coatings, and added hardware or moldings.
- Regional labor rates and market demand can change total cost by thousands between urban and rural areas.
- DIY refinishing can cost $200–$600 in materials but risks uneven, shorter‑lasting results compared with professionals.
What Influences the Total Cost of Cabinet Refinishing
Because several different factors interact to determine a cabinet refinishing price, you’ll want to look beyond a single line item and consider materials, labor, and the condition of your cabinets together. You’ll assess material quality, finish type, and hardware choices, factor labor complexity and regional rates, and account for prep, repairs, and optional upgrades like trim, pullouts, or soft-close hardware. Additionally, understanding the cost per square foot can help you better estimate your overall budget for refinishing.
Typical Price Ranges by Kitchen Size
For a small kitchen with roughly 10–20 linear feet of cabinets, you can generally expect refinishing to run from about $1,000 up to $5,600 depending on finish choices and any hardware upgrades. Proper wall preparation is crucial, as skimming over paint can lead to issues if the surface is not adequately prepped.
Mid- to large-scale jobs scale up markedly—large kitchens with 30–70 linear feet of cabinetry commonly range from $3,000 to $15,000 or more, with higher-end materials and custom features pushing costs upward. Proper prep including cleaning, sanding, and priming is essential for long-term performance and can increase quotes due to repair needs to address existing damage such as chipping or peeling prep work.
Comparing these ranges by linear footage and door/drawer counts helps you weigh whether refinishing, painting, or more extensive upgrades make the most financial sense for your space.
Small Kitchens: Cost Range
When you’re updating a small kitchen—roughly 100 square feet with about 10 to 20 linear feet of cabinets—you’ll typically see refacing costs in the $1,000 to $5,000 range, with per-linear-foot pricing around $100 to $250 depending on materials and labor; smaller footprints usually keep you in the lower cost segment because there are fewer doors, less veneer, and less time on-site.
You’ll likely pay less for laminate or veneer, more for solid wood, and urban labor rates can raise totals; expect quicker turnaround, limited disruption, and potential added costs for hardware or repairs.
Large Kitchens: Expected Costs
Although large kitchens demand more time and materials, you can expect refacing costs to stay lower than a full replacement while still varying widely based on size and choices: for kitchens in the 400–600 sq ft range with roughly 30–70 linear feet of cabinetry, typical refacing projects fall between about $3,000 and $15,000 or more, with per-linear-foot pricing commonly in the $100–$250 range.
You’ll pay more for solid wood and premium finishes, and labor rises with cabinet count, complexity, and urban rates, so balance material choices, customization, and preparedness for prep work to control costs.
Per‑Unit Pricing: Doors, Drawers, and Cabinet Faces
Start by breaking down costs per unit so you can compare bids accurately, since doors, drawers, and cabinet faces each carry different labor and material demands.
Doors typically run $25–$100 each, drawers $15–$60, and faces $50–$120 or $10–$40 per linear foot.
Expect extra charges for repairs, hardware work, overlays, specialty finishes, and removal/reinstallation. Additionally, consider the importance of proper surface preparation to ensure the best results for refinishing your cabinets.
DIY Vs Professional Refinishing: Cost Comparison
You’ll weigh clear cost differences when choosing DIY versus professional refinishing, since DIY material and tool expenses often run a few hundred dollars while pros typically charge several thousand.
Consider the time and labor tradeoffs too—DIY projects tie up days to weeks of your time and carry a higher risk of errors, whereas professionals finish faster with trained efficiency.
Finally, factor in quality and durability: pros deliver more uniform, long‑lasting finishes and warranties that can justify their higher upfront cost if you value resale or longevity.
Cost: DIY Vs Pro
When considering refinishing your kitchen cabinets yourself versus hiring a professional, cost is often the deciding factor, and the differences can be substantial:
a DIY project typically runs about $200–$600 for paints, primers, brushes or a rented sprayer, sandpaper and protective gear, while professional refinishing commonly falls between $2,000 and $10,000—most jobs averaging $4,000–$9,500—because pros bundle prep work, quality sanding, priming, and multiple enamel-grade coats into their price.
You’ll save roughly 70% DIY, but pros deliver longer-lasting, factory-grade finishes and handle repairs that often increase value and reduce future costs.
Time and Labor Tradeoffs
Cost differences matter, but time and labor often determine whether refinishing makes sense for your household, because the hours and skills required can add hidden costs beyond paint and supplies.
Professionals finish in 1–2 weeks using sprayers and efficient workflows, limiting disruption and safety risks. DIY often exceeds two weeks, demands perfecting sanding and layering, and may increase downtime, mess, and trial‑and‑error labor.
Quality and Durability Differences
Although upfront savings make DIY refinishing tempting, the differences in materials, technique, and quality control mean professional work usually delivers a more durable, longer‑lasting result that can justify the higher price.
You’ll get superior veneers or solid wood, industrial‑grade coatings, and precise prep and application; pros reduce adhesion issues, offer warranties, and typically extend cabinet life well beyond DIY outcomes.
Surface Preparation and Repair Expenses
Because proper surface prep determines how well a new finish will adhere and how long it will last, you should expect cleaning, sanding, and minor repairs to be a core part of any refinishing estimate.
You’ll pay for degreasing, taping, protective coverings, and labored sanding, with costs rising for ornate cabinetry or extensive damage requiring wood filler or part replacement, and regional labor rates vary.
Paint, Stain, and Finish Options That Affect Price
When you plan cabinet refinishing, your choice of paint—latex, oil-based, or specialty coatings—can swing material costs from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars and also changes labor time because of drying and application methods.
If you prefer wood tones, stains and sealants like oil, water-based, or gel stains plus a polyurethane or lacquer topcoat will influence both material spend and the complexity of sealing and maintenance.
Balancing upfront cost against durability and future maintenance needs helps you choose the right combination for your budget and expected lifespan.
Paint Types & Costs
Picking the right paint, stain, and finish for your cabinets can make a big difference in both the look and the final price, so you’ll want to weigh durability, labor, and material costs up front.
Expect professional painting to range $2,000–$6,500, about $70–$125 per door; quality paints run $20–$70/gal, primers $20–$50/gal, and specialty finishes or oil-based options raise costs.
Stain & Sealant Choices
Start by evaluating stain and sealant choices against how you use your kitchen and the look you want, since these selections drive both upfront materials and long-term durability.
Stains ($20–$40/quart) showcase grain and cost less than paint, while sealants (polyurethane $30–$50/gal) protect against wear.
Glazing, lacquers, and waterborne finishes add cost and character, so weigh aesthetics, upkeep, and budget.
Cabinet Refacing and Replacement: Cost Alternatives
You’ll weigh cost, disruption, and long-term value when deciding between cabinet refacing and full replacement, since refacing typically refreshes surfaces for a fraction of the price while replacement gives you new construction and design freedom; refacing generally runs from about $1,000 to $15,000 (most commonly $4,500–$13,000) and is often 30–50% less expensive than replacement, which typically starts around $8,000 and can climb past $24,000 depending on materials and scope.
Refacing takes days, keeps boxes, uses veneers and new doors, limits layout changes, and suits cosmetic updates; replacement costs more, takes weeks, allows full customization, and yields longer-lasting value for resale.
Regional Price Variations and Labor Rates
Because regional factors shape both labor and material costs, where you live can change the price of cabinet refinishing by thousands of dollars, so it’s important to budget with local conditions in mind.
Urban areas and high-cost regions usually have higher hourly rates and material markups, while rural markets often cost less; competition, seasonal demand, and local regulations also influence final quotes.
Additional Costs: Hardware, Moldings, and Extras
When you account for more than just paint and labor, hardware, moldings, and custom extras can materially change your cabinet refinishing bill, so plan for these items early in your budget and design discussions.
Hardware ranges $2–$20+ per piece, hinges and pulls add labor, moldings run $10–$40+ per linear foot, and extras like organizers or lighting often add hundreds, typically raising costs 10–25%.
How to Budget and Get Accurate Estimates
Although refinishing might seem straightforward at first glance, getting an accurate budget takes deliberate planning and clear communication with contractors, so start by defining the scope of work and the finished look you want.
Get multiple itemized quotes separating labor, materials, demolition, and disposal; verify included steps, factor regional labor rates and cabinet complexity, and add a 10–15% contingency for surprises.
Final Note
You can expect cabinet refinishing costs to vary with scope, material, and labor, so compare quotes carefully and prioritize necessary repairs; for a small kitchen you’ll save more by refinishing than replacing, while larger or heavily damaged cabinets may justify refacing or replacement. Get at least three detailed estimates that list prep, finishes, and hardware, confirm painters’ experience with cabinets, and budget a contingency of 10–20% to cover unexpected repairs or upgrades.