How Much Does Furniture Refinishing Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Refinishing a well-loved chair or dresser costs an average of $629, with prices ranging from $150 to $1,500, depending on your location, the piece’s size, and the level of craftsmanship required. Plan ahead and, when in doubt, bring in a professional refinishing expert so the project runs smoothly from preparation to final coat.

Furniture Refinishing Cost Factors

Labor accounts for roughly 85% of what you’ll spend to refinish a piece. The furniture's material, size, and the refinishing method also influence the overall price.

Damage

The bigger the damage, the bigger the bill. A few surface scratches or a single stain won’t break the bank, but widespread wear often means stripping off every layer of old paint, varnish, or lacquer—an extra $100 to $500.

If your furniture has significant damage, such as broken legs or doors, you may need to repair it before refinishing. Furniture repair costs an average of $200, with prices ranging from $150 to $250.

Size

Size matters when it comes to refinishing. Beds, wardrobes, and other large pieces need more time, labor, and materials. Refinishing a bed frame costs between $350 and $2,000, while a large dining table ranges from $150 to $600.

In contrast, smaller items, such as a coffee table, cost between $150 and $250 to refinish, while most chairs range from $125 to $200.

Finish Type

Your finish choice—stain, paint, or a protective varnish—directly changes what you’ll spend on materials. Stains are the most affordable option and are quicker to apply than paint. You may also choose to use a varnish alone or over your stain or paint. Varnish is a clear layer that sits on top of stain or paint, adding a hard sheen. It’s slightly more costly than stain, but less expensive than most paints.

Labor

Restaining professionals bill $40 to $100 per hour, though many quote a flat rate once they see the piece. Because labor accounts for nearly 85% of the price, even a short drive can add up to a significant amount. If you’re in a rural spot, ask whether you can drop the furniture at the shop to dodge travel fees.

Materials

The material the piece is made of has a significant impact on the final tab. Common woods like spruce and pine are more affordable to refinish. Specialty woods, such as teak, walnut, and cherry, require extra care and can be more expensive.

Furniture Refinishing Cost per Item

The cost of refinishing varies significantly depending on the specific item being refinished. Bigger, more detailed pieces require additional hours and supplies, making them more expensive to refinish.

Common Furniture Items

The following table outlines the average cost of refinishing everyday items, including labor and material costs.

Cost to Refinish Other Furniture Pieces

Kitchen cabinets follow many of the same steps—stripping, sanding, staining—but your contractor also has to take the doors down and reinstall them, which ups the labor. Refinishing fixed pieces, such as kitchen cabinets, also means that your contractor may have to work in your home, rather than taking the furniture items to their workplace. This additional level of expertise and labor means that costs for refinishing kitchen cabinets can often range from $1,800 to $4,100.

Furniture Refinishing Cost by Method

The method you use to refinish—paint, stain, or powder coat—directly affects the price, and some pieces require more than one method to achieve their best appearance.

Stripping

When damage runs deep, pros usually start by stripping off every layer of old paint, rust, lacquer, or varnish so the new finish can stick.

Stripping ranges from $100 to $500 on average, but may be more for large furniture pieces. If your furniture is more than 40 years old, there’s a chance that it may contain lead paint. In this case, your contractor will have to take additional health and safety precautions when stripping the paint. The additional time and risks associated with removing lead paint may increase the costs of stripping furniture.

Sealing

Once the furniture has been stripped, sanded, and prepared, it may need to be sealed before the final paint or varnish can be applied. Sealing helps evenly disperse the stain or varnish, resulting in a smooth finished surface. Sealing furniture costs between $80 and $300.

Staining

Staining furniture requires your contractor to brush a stain onto the wood and then allow it to dry. This process may require multiple coats, depending on the type of furniture material and the stain color. In most cases, they will also apply a protective coat to finish the item. The average cost of furniture staining ranges from $150 to $500.

Powder Coating

Powder coating is often used on metal furniture to create a strong, durable finish. It’s a popular technique for wrought iron and aluminum furniture, but can also be applied to other materials, such as plastic. This process requires a longer curing time than standard finishing, resulting in average powder coating costs ranging from $393 to $1,227 per square foot.

Antique Furniture Refinishing Costs

Refinishing antique furniture requires more precision to preserve its unique qualities. As a result, costs are higher than those for regular furniture. For example, while refinishing a standard table might cost $600, an antique table of similar size could cost hundreds more.

Budgeting for Furniture Refinishing

Here are some tips to help you save money on furniture refinishing:

• Pull off knobs and handles beforehand to shave time—and dollars—off the job.

• Buy paint or stain during sales (clear it with your pro first).

• Collect at least three quotes from local refinishers for a fair comparison.

• Bundle several pieces in one order and ask about bulk discounts.

• If you’re handy with a brush, apply the final coat yourself once the professional has prepped the surface.

DIY Refinishing vs. Hiring a Pro

Completing a refinishing job yourself can significantly reduce costs—labor accounts for roughly 85% of the bill—but it requires time, patience, and skill. Missteps can add expense or even ruin a piece. When in doubt, call a professional. A local furniture refinishing professional has the tools and know-how to deliver a finish that looks great and lasts.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.