Image Source: static.homeguide.com
How Much Does It Cost To Restain Kitchen Cabinets: 2024
Restaining kitchen cabinets can give your kitchen a fresh, new look without the high cost of replacing them. How much does it cost to restain kitchen cabinets? The cost varies greatly, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 for a professional job on an average-sized kitchen. DIY projects can cost much less, often between $200 and $1,000, depending on the size of the kitchen and the materials used. This guide will help you grasp the potential costs involved in restaining your cabinets in 2024.
Why Restain Kitchen Cabinets?
Restaining cabinets is a good way to update your kitchen. It costs less than buying new cabinets. It saves the cabinet boxes and doors if they are in good shape. Restaining changes the color of the wood. It can make old cabinets look like new. This project can boost your home’s value. It gives the kitchen a fresh style.
The Difference: Restaining vs. Refinishing vs. Repainting
People sometimes mix up these terms. It helps to know what each one means.
Restaining Kitchen Cabinets
Restaining means changing the color of wooden cabinets. You apply a new stain over the old one. This job works best on real wood cabinets. The old finish must come off first. Sanding removes the old stain and top coat. Then, the new stain goes on. A protective top coat seals the wood. Restaining shows the wood’s grain. This is part of wood cabinet refinishing cost.
Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets
Refinishing is a wider term. It means updating the look of cabinets. Restaining is a type of refinishing. Painting is also a type. Refinishing can include repairs. It can fix scratches or dents. It makes old cabinets look better. Kitchen cabinet refinishing cost can mean staining or painting.
Repainting Kitchen Cabinets
Repainting covers the wood completely. It uses paint instead of stain. This is a good choice if the wood grain is not pretty. Or if you want a solid color. The process is like restaining. You clean, sand, and prime the cabinets. Then you paint them. People often ask about the cost to paint kitchen cabinets. This is different from staining cost. Painting is often a bit cheaper than staining for pros. It takes less detailed prep work on the wood itself.
Cabinet Refacing
Cabinet refacing is another option. This means keeping the old cabinet boxes. But you get new doors and drawer fronts. You also cover the old boxes with new veneer. Refacing gives a big change in look. It costs more than restaining or repainting. But it costs less than full replacement. People look up cabinet refacing cost when they want a bigger update.
Average Cost to Restain Cabinets
The cost to restain kitchen cabinets varies a lot. It depends on who does the work. It also depends on the size of your kitchen.
DIY Cabinet Restaining Cost
Doing the work yourself costs the least. You pay only for materials and tools.
- Materials: Stain, top coat, sandpaper, cleaner, gloves, rags, brushes, masks.
- Tools: Sander, drop cloths, possibly a spray gun.
DIY cabinet restaining cost usually falls between $200 and $1,000. This range is for an average kitchen. The cost can go up for larger kitchens. It also goes up if you need many tools. This is the cheapest way to update. But it takes a lot of time and effort. It also needs careful work to look good.
Professional Cabinet Restaining Price
Hiring a pro costs more money. But it saves you time and hard work. A pro often gets better results. They have the right tools and skills.
Professional cabinet restaining price varies. It depends on the company. It also depends on where you live. Costs are often higher in big cities.
Pros might charge in different ways:
- By the linear foot: This is a common way to measure cabinets. A linear foot is one foot along the base of the cabinets.
- By the door/drawer front: Some pros charge for each door and drawer front they work on.
- By the project: A single price for the whole kitchen.
The average cost to restain cabinets by a professional is $1,500 to $4,000. This range is for an average kitchen with about 20-30 linear feet of cabinets.
Let’s look at pricing methods:
- Cabinet staining cost per linear foot: This can range from $50 to $200 per linear foot. The price depends on the work needed and the type of stain. For 30 linear feet, this is $1,500 to $6,000.
- Cost per door/drawer front: This might be $25 to $75 per item. If a kitchen has 20 doors and 10 drawers, this is $750 to $2,250.
- Total project cost: This is the most common quote. It includes all labor and materials. The $1,500 to $4,000 range is typical for a full kitchen job.
It is important to get written estimates from a few different pros. This helps you compare prices.
Factors Affecting Cabinet Restaining Cost
Many things change the cost of restaining cabinets. Knowing these factors helps you guess your own cost.
Size of the Kitchen
A bigger kitchen means more cabinets. More cabinets mean more work and more materials. The cost goes up a lot with kitchen size. A small galley kitchen costs less than a large kitchen with an island. This affects cabinet staining cost per linear foot and total project cost.
Number of Doors and Drawers
More doors and drawers mean more pieces to work on. Each piece needs cleaning, sanding, staining, and sealing. A kitchen with many small cabinets costs more than one with fewer, larger cabinets. This is important if pros charge per door/drawer.
Type of Wood
The type of wood matters for restaining. Some woods take stain better than others.
- Easy to stain: Oak, Ash, Cherry, Maple. These are common woods.
- Harder to stain: Pine, Birch, Poplar. These woods can stain unevenly. They might need more prep or special products.
Wood cabinet refinishing cost can be higher for harder-to-stain woods. Pros might charge more for the extra steps needed.
Current Condition of the Cabinets
Cabinets with lots of grease, dirt, or old finish take more cleaning and prep. Cabinets with deep scratches, dents, or other damage need repairs. Repairs add to the cost. Heavy build-up or damage means more labor and materials.
Type of Existing Finish
What finish is on the cabinets now? Is it paint, varnish, or clear coat? Paint and thick finishes are harder to remove than a light clear coat. More stripping or sanding is needed. This adds time and cost.
Type of New Stain and Finish
Different stains cost different amounts. High-quality stains or custom colors might cost more. The final protective coat also varies. Polyurethane, lacquer, or varnish have different prices. Using a spray finish often costs more for materials and equipment but might be faster for pros.
Labor Costs
Labor is a big part of professional price. Labor rates differ by location. They also depend on the pro’s skill and experience. Complex jobs or tricky kitchen layouts take more labor time.
Location, Location, Location
Where you live matters a lot for labor costs. Pros in big cities or areas with high living costs charge more. Rates are lower in smaller towns or rural areas. This is a key factor in professional cabinet restaining price.
Extra Services
Do you want new hardware (knobs, pulls)? What about soft-close hinges? Adding these makes the job bigger. It adds to the total cost. Some pros include minor repairs. Major repairs cost extra.
DIY vs. Professional: Weighing the Options
Should you restain cabinets yourself or hire a pro? Both have good points and bad points.
DIY Restaining
Pros:
- Much lower cost: Only pay for materials and maybe some tools. This is the lowest DIY cabinet restaining cost.
- Sense of achievement: You did it yourself!
- Flexible timing: Work on your own schedule.
Cons:
- Very time-consuming: It takes many steps and drying times. A kitchen can take a week or more.
- Hard work: Lots of cleaning, sanding, and bending.
- Needs skill: Getting a smooth, even finish is hard. Drips, brush marks, and uneven color are common DIY mistakes.
- Messy: Sanding creates a lot of dust. Stain and finish can drip.
- Safety: Need good ventilation. Need to wear masks and gloves.
- Results may vary: Might not look as good as a pro job.
Professional Restaining
Pros:
- Better results: Pros have the skill, tools, and space (like spray booths) for a factory-like finish.
- Saves time and effort: They do all the hard work and it takes less of your time.
- Less mess: Pros control dust and fumes better. Many take doors and drawers off-site.
- Faster completion: They can often finish in a few days.
- Warranty: Many pros offer a warranty on their work.
Cons:
- Higher cost: Professional cabinet restaining price is much higher than DIY.
- Less control: You pick the color, but the pro does the work their way.
- Scheduling: You need to fit into their schedule.
Choosing depends on your budget, time, skill level, and how perfect you want the result to be. If your budget is tight and you like DIY, try it. If you want the best look and can pay for it, hire a pro.
Breakdown of the Restaining Process
Whether DIY or pro, the steps are mostly the same.
- Empty Cabinets: Take everything out of the cabinets.
- Remove Doors and Hardware: Take off all doors, drawer fronts, hinges, knobs, and pulls. Label everything! This is key for putting it back right.
- Cleaning: Clean all surfaces well. Remove all grease and grime. Use a good degreaser. This is very important for the stain to stick.
- Stripping (if needed): If the old finish is thick or paint, a stripper might be needed before sanding. This adds time and cost.
- Sanding: This is a crucial step. Sand away the old finish down to bare wood. Start with rough paper and move to fine paper. Sanding smooths the wood and opens the grain for the new stain. Proper sanding affects how the wood cabinet refinishing cost turns out.
- Dust Removal: Clean off all sanding dust. Use a vacuum, tack cloth, or compressed air. No dust should be left.
- Conditioning (Optional but Recommended): For some woods (like pine), a wood conditioner helps the stain go on evenly. This prevents blotchiness.
- Staining: Apply the stain evenly. Wipe off extra stain after a few minutes. The longer it stays on, the darker the color. Do test spots first!
- Drying: Let the stain dry completely. This can take 24-48 hours or more depending on the product and humidity.
- Adding More Coats (if needed): Apply a second coat for a deeper color. Let it dry.
- Top Coat Application: Apply a protective top coat (polyurethane, varnish, etc.). This seals the stain and protects the wood. Apply thin, even coats.
- Sanding Between Coats (if needed): Lightly sand between top coats for a smooth finish. Remove dust.
- Drying Top Coat: Let the final coat dry fully. This might take several days before the cabinets are ready for use.
- Reassembly: Put the doors, drawers, and hardware back on. Put everything back in the cabinets.
This process shows why professional cabinet restaining price includes significant labor. It’s detailed work.
Comparing Restaining Costs to Other Options
It helps to see how restaining stacks up against painting, refacing, and replacing. This helps make the best choice for your budget and goals.
Restaining vs. Painting
- Restaining: $1,500 – $4,000 (Professional) | $200 – $1,000 (DIY). Best for nice wood grain you want to show.
- Painting: $1,800 – $5,000 (Professional) | $100 – $500 (DIY). Can cover less perfect wood. Offers endless color choices. Painting often costs slightly more professionally because it requires extra steps like priming and often multiple paint coats for full coverage and durability. DIY painting can be cheaper for materials than DIY staining, as good wood stains and sealers can be pricey. Look up cost to paint kitchen cabinets for more detail.
Painting can be more forgiving for DIYers than staining, but getting a smooth, brush-mark-free paint finish still requires skill.
Restaining vs. Refacing
- Restaining: $1,500 – $4,000 (Professional). Updates look but keeps current style and layout.
- Refacing: $4,000 – $10,000+ (Professional). Gets you new doors/drawers and a different look/style. Keeps basic layout. Costs more than restaining/painting. Find out about cabinet refacing cost if you want a bigger change than color.
Refacing is a good middle ground between refinishing and replacing.
Restaining vs. Replacing
- Restaining: $1,500 – $4,000 (Professional). Uses existing cabinet boxes.
- Replacing: $10,000 – $30,000+ (Professional). Get all new cabinets. Can change layout completely. Most expensive option.
Replacing is the biggest change and the highest cost. Restaining is the smallest change in structure but can make a big visual difference at the lowest professional price point compared to refacing or replacing.
Here’s a simple table comparing the options:
| Project Type | Average Professional Cost | Average DIY Cost | Level of Change | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaining | $1,500 – $4,000 | $200 – $1,000 | Color Update | Good quality wood, want to show grain |
| Painting | $1,800 – $5,000 | $100 – $500 | Color Update | Less perfect wood, want a solid color |
| Refacing | $4,000 – $10,000+ | Not Common | New Doors/Veneer | Keep layout, want new style doors |
| Replacing | $10,000 – $30,000+ | High/Complex | New Cabinets | Change layout, cabinets are falling apart |
This table gives a quick view of the refinishing kitchen cabinets cost estimate compared to other updates.
Saving Money on Restaining
Cabinet restaining can be a big cost. Here are ways to save money.
- Do it yourself: This is the biggest saving. But remember the time and skill needed. DIY cabinet restaining cost is much lower than hiring pros.
- Get multiple quotes: Talk to at least three different professionals. Compare their prices and what is included. This helps you find a fair professional cabinet restaining price.
- Prep work: Ask pros if you can do some of the prep work yourself. Removing doors and hardware might save you a little on labor cost. But ask first, as they might prefer to do it themselves for quality control.
- Choose a simpler stain: Custom colors or special finishes might cost more.
- Time the project: Some contractors might offer lower prices during slow times of the year.
- Refinish in stages: If your kitchen is very large, maybe focus on the most visible cabinets first.
- Check for local deals: Sometimes painting or refinishing companies offer specials.
Always get a detailed estimate. Make sure it lists all costs. Know what is included. An estimate helps prevent surprises. It helps you grasp the full refinishing kitchen cabinets cost estimate.
Is Restaining Right for Your Cabinets?
Restaining is a good choice only if your cabinets are real wood and in good condition.
- Good Wood: The cabinets must be solid wood or have a thick wood veneer that can be sanded. Laminate, thermofoil, or melamine cabinets cannot be restained. They would need painting or refacing.
- Good Condition: The cabinet boxes should be strong. The doors and drawers should work well. Restaining fixes color and surface flaws, not structural problems. If cabinets are falling apart, replacement might be better.
If your cabinets meet these points, restaining is a good, cost-effective option for a new look. It gives you a new color while keeping the wood grain visible. This is a key benefit of wood cabinet refinishing cost vs. painting.
Final Thoughts on Cabinet Restaining Costs in 2024
Restaining kitchen cabinets is a popular home update. It can really change the feel of your kitchen. The cost depends on many things. These include kitchen size, wood type, cabinet condition, and whether you DIY or hire a pro.
DIY is the cheapest way, around $200 to $1,000. But it needs skill, time, and effort. Professional help costs more, about $1,500 to $4,000 on average. Pros offer better results, save you time, but cost more money.
Factors like linear footage (cabinet staining cost per linear foot), number of doors, wood type, and your location affect the price. Get quotes to understand your specific professional cabinet restaining price.
Compare restaining to painting (cost to paint kitchen cabinets) and refacing (cabinet refacing cost) to see which is best for your needs and budget. Restaining is great for showing off beautiful wood grain.
By knowing the costs and factors, you can plan your budget. You can make a smart choice for updating your kitchen cabinets in 2024. A successful restaining project makes your kitchen look fresh and new without the high cost of buying new cabinets. It’s an investment that can pay off in home enjoyment and value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I change the color of my cabinets a lot when restaining?
Yes, you can change the color. You can go lighter or darker. Going darker is easier. Going much lighter might need special wood bleaching or multiple steps. It’s best to test the stain on an hidden area first.
How long does restaining kitchen cabinets take?
For a DIY project, it can take a week or two. This includes drying times. For a professional job, it usually takes 3 to 5 days. Some pros take the doors and drawers off-site. This lets you use your kitchen sink and stove while they work on the parts elsewhere.
Is restaining cabinets messy?
Yes, it can be very messy. Sanding creates fine dust that gets everywhere. Stain and top coats can drip. Pros have ways to control dust and fumes. DIYers need good planning, drop cloths, and ventilation.
How long does a restained finish last?
A well-done restaining job with a good top coat can last 10-15 years or more. It depends on how much the cabinets are used and how well they are cared for. The quality of the prep and the products used are key.
Does restaining increase home value?
Yes, updating your kitchen cabinets can increase home value. Buyers like updated kitchens. Restaining is a cost-effective update that makes a kitchen look newer and cleaner. This is part of the return on investment from the kitchen cabinet refinishing cost.
Can I restain cabinets that were previously painted?
No, you cannot restain painted cabinets back to showing wood grain. Paint covers the wood completely. To go from painted back to stained, you would need to remove all the paint. This is very hard work. It might damage the wood. It is usually better to repaint or reface painted cabinets.
What is the average cost to restain cabinets per linear foot?
The average cabinet staining cost per linear foot for professional work is typically between $50 and $200. This cost includes labor and materials for prepping, staining, and applying a top coat to cabinets along one foot of counter base. The price varies based on the factors discussed earlier.
How do I get an accurate refinishing kitchen cabinets cost estimate?
To get a good estimate, measure your cabinets. Count the linear feet and the number of doors and drawers. Take photos of your cabinets. Show their condition and the type of wood if you know it. Then contact several local refinishing companies. Show them the details and ask for a written quote. This helps you compare offers accurately.