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Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Cost Calculator
Can I DIY? · Sometimes DIYRefinishing kitchen cabinets costs $1,500–$5,000 for a typical kitchen in 2026 (~$3,100 average) — far less than replacing them. A repaint runs $400–$1,500; a restain $1,500–$5,000; a glaze or premium finish $1,200–$3,500. Use the calculator below for a figure matched to your kitchen and finish.
Educational calculators — always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Gel stain is fastest; conversion varnish provides the most durable factory-like finish.
Applied over existing finish without stripping. Fastest and most affordable method. Best for cabinets in good condition.
Count all upper and lower cabinet doors separately.
Average kitchen has 6–12 drawer fronts.
Poor condition requires more stripping, sanding, and prep — adds 20–45% to cost.
Finish is intact with no deep scratches or peeling. Minimal prep needed; lowest additional cost.
Thermofoil and laminate require special preparation and add 20–25% to cost.
Best candidate for refinishing. Accepts stain and varnish well. Can be refinished multiple times.
Select all that apply.
Total Refinishing Cost
$2,000 – $3,500
Gel Stain — 20 doors + 10 drawers
Refinishing saves ~82% vs. full cabinet replacement ($12,000–$20,000 avg)
Cost Breakdown (midpoint estimates)
Where Your Money Goes
Estimates reflect national averages for educational purposes only. Regional labor rates vary. Always get 2–3 quotes from cabinet refinishing specialists.
Your Saved Scenarios
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What you'll need
- ·Refinishing method — gel stain, sand & restain, strip & restain, or conversion varnish
- ·Number of cabinet doors and drawer fronts
- ·Current cabinet condition — good, fair, or poor
- ·Cabinet material — solid wood, wood veneer, thermofoil, or laminate
What you'll get
- ✓Total refinishing cost — Full project range for your kitchen
- ✓Cost per door — Per-door pricing for your chosen method
- ✓Method breakdown — Selected method plus condition and material impact
- ✓Savings vs. replacement — How refinishing compares to new cabinets
Refinishing method cost overview
How it works
Count cabinet doors and drawers
Refinishing is priced per door/drawer face — include upper and lower cabinets.
Choose refinishing method
Spray paint, traditional brush/roll, or gel stain each have different results and costs.
Compare to replacement
Refinishing costs 30–50% of replacement — see your savings vs. new cabinets.
Cabinet Refinishing vs Replacement
| Option | 30 LF Kitchen | Result | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY painting | $200–$500 | Good if done right | 5–8 years |
| Pro spray refinishing | $1,500–$3,500 | Factory-quality finish | 10–15 years |
| Cabinet refacing | $4,000–$9,000 | New look, old boxes | 15–20 years |
| Full replacement | $9,000–$30,000 | All new | 25–30 years |
Refinish, reface, or replace?
These three are easy to confuse — and the price gap is huge:
- Refinish ($1,500–$5,000): keep the boxes and doors; repaint or restain the existing surfaces. Cheapest, fastest.
- Reface ($4,000–$10,000): keep the boxes but replace doors, drawer fronts, and veneer the frames — new look without new layout.
- Replace ($8,000–$25,000+): all-new cabinets — needed only if boxes are damaged or you're changing the layout.
If the boxes are solid, refinishing saves 60–80% versus new cabinets and takes days, not weeks. Not sure which of the two cheaper options fits your kitchen? Our refacing vs. refinishing guide walks through when each one makes sense, door by door. Want a fresh door style rather than the same doors in a new color? That's reface territory — run it through the cabinet refacing cost calculator and compare it against what you got above.
Methods & what drives the price
- Repaint: most popular — clean, sand, prime, and spray. Best on a solid-wood or MDF door.
- Restain / gel stain: keeps the wood grain visible; more prep and skill.
- Glaze / conversion varnish: a durable factory-like finish, at a premium.
Price rises with the number of doors/drawers, detailed profiles, and color changes (dark-to-light needs more coats). Laminate/thermofoil doors don't take paint well and may need refacing instead.
DIY vs. pro, questions & red flags
DIY saves labor but is deceptively hard — brush marks and skipped prep show badly. A pro sprays for a smooth, durable finish.
- Do you degrease, sand, and prime — or just paint over?
- Sprayed or brushed, and how many coats?
- What's the cure/dry time before we can use the kitchen? (No sanding/priming is the #1 reason refinished cabinets peel.)
Methodology & sources
The cost figures on this page are generated from a single, sourced cost-data file (Refinishing existing cabinets by method, typical kitchen. National average estimate for 2026 (~$3,100 average).). Refinishing keeps the boxes and doors and costs far less than replacement. Painting is cheapest; staining and glazing cost more. Last verified July 2026.
- HomeGuide — Cost to Refinish Cabinets (2026) — retrieved 2026-07-13
- Angi — Cost to Refinish Cabinets (2026) — retrieved 2026-07-13
About this calculator
How much does kitchen cabinet refinishing cost?+
Cabinet refinishing costs $1,500–$5,000 for an average kitchen. Gel staining runs $80–$140 per door; sand & restain costs $100–$175 per door; conversion varnish runs $175–$250 per door. DIY refinishing with gel stain costs $200–$600 in materials.
What is the difference between cabinet refinishing and refacing?+
Refinishing means re-staining or repainting the existing door faces and cabinet boxes — the doors stay the same shape. Refacing means replacing the door skins and drawer fronts with new ones while keeping the original boxes. Refinishing costs $1,500–$5,000; refacing costs $3,000–$8,000.
How long does cabinet refinishing last?+
A professionally refinished cabinet with conversion varnish lasts 8–15 years. Gel stain over existing finish lasts 5–8 years. DIY brush-painted cabinets typically last 3–5 years before chipping. Proper prep and sealing are the biggest factors in longevity.
Can thermofoil and laminate cabinets be refinished?+
Yes, but it requires special preparation. Thermofoil must be deglossed or lightly sanded, and only certain primers will adhere properly. Laminate needs a bonding primer before paint. Both add 20–25% to refinishing cost and typically don't last as long as solid wood refinishing.
Is cabinet refinishing worth it vs. replacement?+
Cabinet refinishing saves 60–80% vs. full replacement. It makes sense when boxes are structurally sound, you like the layout, and you want a style refresh. Refinishing doesn't make sense for severely warped, water-damaged, or particle board cabinets — replacement is better in those cases.
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Back to the calculator ↑Read next
Cabinet Refacing vs. Refinishing
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Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Cost Calculator is built and maintained by the RealCostIQ editorial team. Cost ranges and rates are checked against published industry data and contractor quotes, and revised when the underlying figures move. Read our data methodology or more about who builds this. Every calculation runs in your browser — no account, and none of your inputs are stored.
Cost ranges and rates here are checked against contractor quotes and published industry data. If a number still looks off, email Support@RealCostIQ.com and we'll review and fix it.