Cost to stain kitchen cabinets

How Much Will it Cost to Stain Kitchen Cabinets

Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock

The cost to stain cabinets typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000

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If you want to completely transform your kitchen, consider refinishing and staining your cabinets. That process involves removing the old stain, sanding and repairing the cabinet surface, and applying a new stain onto the wood. This simple process can give your kitchen a brand new look in just a weekend.

Prices to stain your cabinets typically range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on how many cabinets you have and their material, but can go up from there based on many different factors.

How Much Does It Cost to Stain Cabinets per Square Foot?

Professionally restaining and refinishing old cabinets will cost between $4 and $10 per square foot. That includes labor and materials (stain). Prices will vary depending on who you hire and where you live, so ask around to determine prices for cabinet refinishing near you.

How Much Does It Cost to Stain Cabinets Yourself?

Staining your kitchen cabinets yourself will save you money compared to hiring a pro, but the process is time-consuming. It will take about 30 to 50 hours for you to complete, which equals three to five full days. If you’re working around a nine-to-five job, this project could take weeks. And not having a functional kitchen for weeks in a house full of hungry kids (and parents) may be a recipe for disaster.

That said, going the DIY route will save you money, so if budget is a concern, this is the way to go. Professionals can refinish and stain your cabinets in two to three days on average, or about 14 hours, charging between $35 and $75 per hour. That means that by putting your DIY skills to the test and staining your own cabinets, you could save somewhere between $500 to $1,000.

Staining cabinets yourself will require tools, patience, and space. You will also need a large, well-ventilated space to strip and refinish cabinet doors, like a garage or backyard.

Staining Cabinets Cost Breakdown

Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock

The cost to stain cabinets can vary depending on how much the professional you hire charges, the quality of materials used, the complexity and design you choose for your new cabinets, and how many cabinets need staining. While all of these factors have some effect on the total price, nothing is set in stone. If you’re working on this project as part of a larger remodel, keep in mind that painting or staining cabinets can make up roughly 10% of all your kitchen remodel costs.

Labor

Most professional cabinet refinishers will charge between $35 and $75 per hour, with total labor costs averaging $500 to $1,000 per project. Costs can vary slightly based on the material of your cabinets and the complexity of the desired design. Whatever your needs, make sure you hire the right cabinet company for you.

Materials

Simply put, some materials are easier to stain than others. For example, it’s significantly easier to refinish and stain solid wood compared to veneers or other box materials. Refinishing and staining those materials will require stripping the clear coat of varnish and reapplying another coat, which means increased labor.

Stain adheres well to solid wood and not-so-well on other materials. If your cabinets are made of a non-wood material, like laminate, it will be more expensive to stain them.

Complexity

The complexity of the cabinets’ design will somewhat influence the total cost to stain them. If your cabinets have trim, detailing, or carving, expect to pay more for increased labor. Cabinets with intricate designs will require more time and skill and can be slightly more expensive to stain than basic ones.

Number of Cabinets

The number of cabinets you have will certainly determine the total cost of the project. Expect to pay between $4 and $10 per square foot. If you have a sweeping kitchen with storage space galore, you’ll end up paying much more to stain your cabinets than you would if you had a simple galley kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

First, sand the wood to remove any existing stain/varnish and make the cabinet’s texture smooth and ready to absorb the stain. Clean off any dirt or dust from the cabinet, and then apply a coat of wood conditioner if needed, as well as a layer of stain. Allow it to dry and add more layers of stain depending on how deep you’d like the color. Lastly, apply a finish to protect the wood.

When deciding to paint or stain or cabinets, consider your budget, design style, and lifestyle. The cost to paint kitchen cabinets is usually more expensive than the price to stain them. Plus, stain is more long-lasting and results in a more natural finish. But if you prefer more modern cabinets with solid colors, choose paint.

Depending on how damaged or worn your cabinets are, you may decide to fully replace them. However, it can cost twice as much to replace cabinets than it would to refinish them. Cabinet refinishing costs an average of $2,500, while replacements can cost from $5,000 up to $18,000 or more.

Whether you’re DIYing or hiring a pro to stain your cabinets, you’ll need to remove doors and drawers, and you won’t have a functional kitchen until the job is done. Use this time to complete other kitchen projects, including taking on the cost of appliance repair or replacement, installing a new kitchen backsplash, and pricing out the cost of painting your home interior.

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Cost to Stain Wood Cabinets

July 2022

	Item details	Qty	Low	High
	Cabinet Finishing Cost Non-discounted retail pricing for: Oil based, semi-transparent stain with integral sealer. Quantity includes typical waste overage, material for repair and local delivery.	134 square feet	$63.43	$119.06
	Wood Cabinet Staining And Finishing Labor, Basic Basic labor to stain wood cabinets with favorable site conditions. Prep up to 3 hr per 100 SF - remove/mask hardware; scrape and sand up to 4 cabinet surface defects per 100 SF. Apply stain. Replace hardware. Includes planning, equipment and material acquisition, area preparation and protection, setup and cleanup.	134 square feet	$63.43	$119.06
	Wood Cabinet Staining And Finishing Job Supplies Cost of related materials and supplies typically required to stain wood cabinets including: masking tape and paper, surface repair and preparation material, primers, and cleanup supplies.	134 square feet	$63.43	$119.06
	Option: Remove Paint Apply chemical paint remover. Scrape, clean and sand smooth.	134 square feet	$63.43	$119.06
	Unused Minimum Labor Balance of 2 hr(s) minimum labor charge that can be applied to other tasks.


Totals - Cost To Stain Wood Cabinets
Average Cost per Square Foot

Custom Calculators with Homewyse Lists

Service Professionals: create a reusable estimating app that is 100% customized to your business. Start with a template or build your own (free; Account sign up required):

For a basic project in zip code 47474 with 125 square feet, the cost to Stain Wood Cabinets starts at $2.44 - $5.44 per square foot*. Actual costs will depend on job size, conditions, and options.

To estimate costs for your project:

1. Set Project Zip Code Enter the Zip Code for the location where labor is hired and materials purchased.

2. Specify Project Size and Options Enter the number of "square feet" required for the project.

3. Re-calculate Click the "Update" button.

NOTE: *Input the total of the finished surface area AND the area of any openings enclosed by the finished area.

Unit Costs: How Pros Price

Unlike other websites that publish pricing from unrelated jobs in the past, Homewyse creates up-to-date estimates from current Unit Costs. The Unit Cost method delivers high accuracy by using location, details and options for the unique requirements of each job. Contracting, trade, design and maintenance businesses rely on the Unit Cost method for transparency, accuracy and fair profits.

Cost to Stain Wood Cabinets - Notes and General Information

These estimates are for BASIC work performed in serviceable conditions by qualified trade professionals using MID GRADE materials. Work not mentioned on this page and/or work using master craftsman, premium materials and project supervision will result in HIGHER COSTS!

These estimates are NOT substitutes for written quotes from trade professionals. Homewyse strongly recommends that you contact reputable professionals for accurate assessments of work required and costs for your project - before making any decisions or commitments.

The cost estimate includes:

Costs for local material / equipment delivery to and service provider transportation to and from the job site.
Costs to prepare the worksite for Wood Cabinet Staining And Finishing, including costs to protect existing structure(s), finishes, materials and components.
Labor setup time, mobilization time and minimum hourly charges that are commonly included for small Wood Cabinet Staining And Finishing jobs.

The cost estimate does NOT include:

Costs for removing, relocating, repairing, or modifying existing framing, surfacing, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems - or bringing those systems into compliance with current building codes.
Costs for testing and remediation of hazardous materials (asbestos, lead, etc. ).
General contractor overhead and markup for organizing and supervising the Wood Cabinet Staining And Finishing. Add 13% to 22% to the total cost above if a general contractor will supervise this project.
Sales tax on materials and supplies.
Permit or inspection fees (or portion thereof) required by your local building department for your overall project.

References - Wood Cabinet Staining And Finishing

Product and Supplies Data: Home Depot Paints, Stains and Supplies Home Depot, Jul 2022, Website
Product and Supplies Data: Lowes Paints, Stains and Supplies Lowes , Jul 2022, Website
Product and Supplies Data: Menards Paints, Stains and Supplies Menards, Jul 2022, Website
Product and Supplies Data: Here's a Painting Price List Contractor Talk, Jul 2022, Website
Interior Design: Materials and Specifications Fairchild Publications; first edition, Oct 2008, Lisa Godsey, ISBN 1563674874
Home Improvement 1-2-3: Expert Advice from The Home Depot Homer, TLC, Jul 2022, Editorial Staff, ISBN 696213273
Carpentry and Building Construction, Student Text Glencoe/McGraw-Hill; 6th edition, Jan 2003, Mark Feirer, John Feirer, ISBN 007822702X
The HUD PATH Rehab Guide Volume 5: Partitions, Ceilings, Floors, and Stairs U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Policy Development and Research, Mar 2011, Editorial Staff
Labor Wages and Costs: CPWAR Construction Cost Book The Center for Construction Research and Training, Jul 2022, Staff
Project Spending Data: Harvard University JCHS Homeowner Expenditures Harvard University, Jul 2022, Website

Wood Cabinet Staining And Finishing Budget Management

This infographic highlights decisions and site issues that can cause large cost variances in the typical Wood Cabinet Staining And Finishing budget.

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Inexpensive painting of kitchen facades in Moscow

Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever and sooner or later even kitchen sets become unusable. And regardless of how much you paid for it. Over time, the paint peels off, the doors loosen, and the closers stop working normally. In PrivatMebel you can order painting of kitchen facades at an affordable price.

Method of furniture restoration painting kitchen facades

It is not always necessary to buy a new kitchen set at a fabulous price. As a rule, if you originally purchased good furniture, then it can be restored or restored. To do this, we use various materials and tools.
We tailor your kitchen to the style you want with a personal touch. If you need not just to paint the facade, but to restore it, then our craftsmen can make a replacement for fittings. This includes closers, handles, hinges and other elements of the kitchen set.

Choose a paint for the restoration of the facade of the kitchen

The market is represented by a huge selection of paints for various jobs. However, to restore the kitchen facade, we use only acrylic or enamel. These materials are ideal for such furniture, as they correspond to the specifics of its location. They are:

High temperature resistant.
Not afraid of high humidity.
Do not fade in the sun.
Environmentally friendly.
Have a long service life.

For solid wood, we can also use a stain followed by a varnish coat. This will accentuate the natural grain of the wood. At the same time, it will save it from damage and negative impacts.

Don't know what to choose? No problem. Just fill out the feedback form on the site. We will contact you and advise you.

Steps for painting kitchen fronts

Painting kitchen facades requires certain conditions to be met. The room must be perfectly clean. The procedure requires that our specialists be in special suits and have the necessary tools. It is quite difficult to provide all this at the client's home, moreover, the paint emits a specific smell. Therefore, we remove the kitchen facade and take it to our workshop. Then we carry out the procedure in the following stages:

Surface cleaning. Bonding of glass and elements that should not be painted.
Remove the previous paint and degrease the surface.
If necessary, putty the facades if we find damage.
We apply a primer for better adhesion of the paint to the surface.
We paint the facades with the paint chosen by the client using an aerosol or airbrush in several layers.
We cover the surface with varnish for better protection of painted facades.

We do not use brushes or rollers, as they can leave streaks and spoil the appearance of the work done. If you want to decorate the kitchen front, please let us know in advance. During painting, we will make it according to your wishes.

We work with all possible materials. Below we will tell you the possibilities of painting them.

Chipboard facade painting

One of the cheapest materials, and therefore often in demand. However, it quickly dries out and becomes unusable, as it has a high porosity. However, it is highly susceptible to moisture and other negative factors.

Restoring chipboard fronts can be pointless. Our master will come to the place and tell you what is best suited for this situation. If possible, he will offer to replace the doors on the facade in a new, improved style. If the kitchen is in excellent condition and you just want to change the color, then we will be happy to paint it in any shade.

Facade wood painting

Natural wood wants to be preserved for as long as possible. Therefore, painting it in paint is rather rude and not aesthetically pleasing. We suggest using a stain with subsequent application of a protective varnish on the facades. Thus, the solid wood will retain its natural beauty. At the same time, wood stains come in various shades and are always made to match the wood color. Thanks to this, you can refresh the kitchen, making it a little lighter or, conversely, darker.

MDF facade painting

MDF is also an inexpensive material. However, it is made more qualitatively and reliably. Due to this, it does not dry out quickly, does not have significant porosity. Resistant to temperature changes and other negative phenomena.

We can paint MDF facades at affordable prices. Call the master to evaluate the work, and we will calculate the cost. We can make the surface matte or, conversely, give it a glossy sheen. Let's create a decor in the form of drawing, patterns, under a tree or antiquity. We are limited only by your imagination.

Painting of plastic facades

Plastic is a more practical and durable material. However, its painting should be carried out with special compounds. In this case, the surface cannot be washed with rough materials: for example, brushes or iron washcloths.

Plastic facades have one main feature - they are not limited in color palette. Plastic can be made glossy or matte. Give color depth. Add zest in the form of decor, etc. We will fulfill any of your wishes.

Painting glass fronts

Glass is often used on doors. At first glance, it may seem that this is very convenient. You can see what's inside. However, an experienced hostess will find everything you need in the kitchen with your eyes closed. At the same time, he understands that glass facades take much more time to clean and perfect cleaning. After all, they quickly become dirty, and when washing, nasty stains remain.

Our masters will paint the glass facade in a short time. After the procedure, you will not recognize your kitchen and are guaranteed to be satisfied with the result. If you have any wishes, please let us know in advance. We will develop a unique design and give exclusivity to your kitchen set.

Our works

Painting of MDF facades, prices.

We welcome you to the website of our company! We offer painting services for your products: MDF, wood (veneer, solid wood - pine doors, furniture, kitchen, facade). Possible repainting (on inspection). We have over 12 years of experience in this field.
We also approach lining painting individually. The lining is painted in a certain color that interests you. Our company provides painting services for both lining you already have and purchased from our partners - here. Let's professionally execute the order of any complexity.

MDF cost
Matt painted *
flat parts	2500 rubles per sq.m.
milled parts	3500r.sq.m.
Enamel + gloss varnish **
flat parts ( not polished )	3500r. sq.m.
flat parts ( polished )	from 5000r.sq.m.
milled parts and 3D panels	calculated separately (drawing)
Painting of commercial equipment, showcases, racks
flat pieces	2500r.sq.m.
assembly	from 4000r.sq.m.
Cost of veneer and solid wood work
Silk matt lacquered *
flat pieces	2500r.sq.m.
milled parts	3000 rub. sq.m.
Satin matt lacquer + tinted **
flat pieces	3000r.sq.m.
milled parts	3500r.sq.m.
silk matt varnish + tint + patina	from 5000r.sq.m.
Painting solid wood veneer (polyester primer) with closed texture
silk matt lacquer	from 5000 rub.
gloss varnish	from 7000 rub.

Note: * The cost of painting the reverse side is calculated separately (at the request of the customer). ** Curved facades are calculated with a factor of 1.5.

Painting

We work with quality materials: Sayerlack, 3M, MIRKA, Akzo Nobel. We use equipment from leading manufacturers: Welcome, Festsool, Sata. The approach to painting each product is individual.
We paint doors, arches, stairs, kitchens, cabinets, wall panels, fireplaces, beds and more. Our works are presented in the Gallery section.
We make samples and select the color according to your wishes. We determine in advance the complexity of painting: patina, broach, texture manifestation (veneer).

How we paint MDF (video):

Painting solid wood table
3D MDF panel painting, puzzle, mosaic.
Painting MDF 3D, Painting letters from MDF, "Ship".
Painting MDF 3D Letters RAL 9005 gloss.
Painting MDF 3D panels (gloss)
Repainting of the kitchen facade, renovation painting of the kitchen facade
Kitchen painting, kitchen disassembly and assembly
Kitchen painting - Golden patina
Painting an old kitchen with patina
Painting doors with liquid sweat

Stages of work:

1. Estimate.
Compiled in the presence of your drawings, photographs. The estimate depends on the complexity of the work we perform.
2. Signing of the contract
3. Checking the product for suitability for painting in the presence of the Customer.
4. Painting
5. Delivery of works

BestMalyarka - our work speaks for itself! (go to the gallery)

How to professionally paint MDF facades

The active development of building materials and technologies makes it possible to obtain a better result during repairs, bringing to life the most interesting design ideas. One of the most demanded services today is the painting of MDF facades, thanks to which you can change the interior in your apartment, making it more comfortable and original. At the same time, in order for the result to be really high, one should contact only qualified specialists who have the necessary knowledge, experience and tools.

Specialized equipment and well-equipped painting shops

It is important to remember that painting requires a serious approach and ensuring all conditions in accordance with the requirements of the regulations. Here it is necessary to highlight, first of all, the presence of special painting chambers equipped with systems for maintaining the air temperature at least 20 ° C. in addition, inside there should be special racks for storing parts and hoods that circulate air flows. Typically, a chamber for painting MDF parts has an area of at least 40 m2, with a separate chamber for subsequent grinding of products.

Painting and priming are carried out with a special tool - a spray gun, which is best suited for this. The equipment must be sufficiently powerful and high-performance, with a receiver that can hold about 90-100 liters. paints. The nozzle diameter is 1.5-2 mm, which ensures sufficient spraying of the solution. Grinding is carried out with special vibration-type devices, and polishing is carried out with the help of an angle grinder, to which several nozzles are selected.

Tips for pre-painting

MDF board must be free of fluff beforehand, for which it should be visually inspected
When milling, it is recommended to use the maximum speed, which will significantly reduce the risk of fluff rising
It is highly undesirable to leave sharp corners on workpieces and parts, since there is a high risk of erasing paintwork materials in these places. If the corners are still present, they are pre-treated with an edge cutter with a radius of 3 mm.
During the grinding of the facade blank, an automated tool P 180-240 is used, which is called an eccentric grinder.
Slots, which are sometimes visible at the joints of the facade slabs, should be filled with a special primer; after it dries, all excess parts are removed with a skin.
To remove protective wax in places of difficult bends, use an emery sponge

To be able to apply the above recommendations, the company must have specially equipped workshops, as well as expensive tools. Only if the regulations are observed, you can count on the fact that the coloring will be done correctly and the paint will be resistant to the aggressive effects of various environmental factors.

Complex priming

In order for the paintwork to not wear off over time, it is important to ensure that the paint adheres to the surface as strongly as possible, for which a primer is used. The procedure takes place in 2 stages. At the first, with the help of an airbrush, a special insulating layer is applied, the main task of which is to absorb the workpiece into the top layer of MDF and protect it from rising the fleecy layer. After the layer is completely dry, it is polished, and the process must be performed as carefully as possible.

The next step is the application of a special polyurethane primer, a procedure that takes between 9 and 24 hours. It uses special paints and varnishes with good adhesion. After the primer is completely dry, it must be sanded with a special sandpaper, with special attention paid to hard-to-reach places. They also need to be treated with an abrasive to give the surface evenness and smoothness.

Powder coating

As mentioned above, the paint composition is applied using a powerful spray gun, which ensures the application of a dense and uniform layer. On average, the consumption of the composition is about 60-200 g. per 1 m2, which depends on the characteristics of a particular paintwork material, as well as the diameter of the nozzle in the spray gun. To ensure that an even layer is applied, it is important to pre-mix the composition, since many important components and particles can naturally settle to the bottom. In addition, you should make sure that the viscosity of the composition is at a certain level and that all particles freely pass through the nozzle, which will eliminate the risk of clogging.

During painting, the master should exclude the risk of dust and dirt getting on the workpiece, so the whole procedure takes place in a special room, completely protected from wind and other atmospheric phenomena. The staining procedure usually takes from several minutes to several hours, depending solely on the surface area and the complexity of the configuration of a particular workpiece. The time required for the implementation of the procedure and the cost of the paint and varnish composition are calculated individually for each specific product.

Professional painting only with certified coatings

Our company employs only experienced and qualified painters who perfectly cope with the task assigned to them. A responsible approach, the use of only high-quality compounds and accuracy allow us to achieve excellent results at the end.