How Much Does Furniture Refinishing Cost? [2024 Data]

Normal range: $336 - $919

Furniture refinishing costs $627 on average, or between $336 and $919, depending on the type of furniture, the refinishing method, and labor costs.

How we get this data
Couple refinishing furniture outside house
Photo: Morsa Images / E+ / Getty Images
Alison Kasch
Written by Alison Kasch
Contributing Writer
Updated May 24, 2024
Couple refinishing furniture outside house
Photo: Morsa Images / E+ / Getty Images

Furniture refinishing costs $627 on average, with prices ranging from $336 to $919 or more. Whether it’s a family heirloom, a furniture flip, or a piece that you simply can’t live without, furniture refinishing can revive and modernize the item’s look while still maintaining its original character. This guide will help you plan your budget for your furniture refinishing project.

See the price range for furniture refinishing costs in
your area
How we get this data
Normal range for U.S.
$336 - $919
  • Average
  • $627
  • Low end
  • $150
  • high end
  • $1,500
LOWHIGH

Furniture Refinishing Cost Factors

Refinishing is one of the best ways to repurpose old furniture and breathe new life into it. As you budget for this project, here are the main cost factors to consider.

Furniture Item

One of the main cost factors for furniture refinishing is the type of furniture. These are the average costs for the most popular types of furniture items.

Furniture ItemAverage Furniture Refinishing Cost
Barstool$100–$250
Bed$350–$2,000
China cabinet or armoire$500–$3,500
Coffee table$150–$250
Dining chair$125–$200
Dining set$1,000–$3,000
Dresser$300–$2,000
Kitchen cabinets$1,800–$4,100
Pool table$300–$600
Rocking chair$200–$500
Table$150–$600

Method

There are several different methods to consider when refinishing furniture, and whichever you choose will impact your final cost. Painting and staining are the two most popular options, with painting furniture being the most affordable. 

For metal, powder coating or electrostatic painting are the priciest refinishing option, but they offer the greatest durability. Both of these use electric charges to bond the paint to the metal. Powder coating involves baking the metal in a specialized oven, and electrostatic techniques allow pros to cure the pieces on location.

Furniture Refinishing MethodAverage Cost
Staining$150–$500
Painting$80–$800
Powder coating/electrostatic painting$340–$1,020

Prep

Before refinishing a piece of furniture, you’ll need to strip the old finish, which costs anywhere from $80 to $300 per item. Stripping is a method that uses chemicals to remove old paint from metal and wooden structures. Keep in mind that some professionals advise against furniture stripping due to the potentially harsh and damaging effects of the chemicals, especially on older furniture. Before attempting it, it’s advisable to check with a professional furniture refinisher.

If you’re staining a piece of furniture, sealing the piece typically ranges from $80 to $300 per item. This process involves applying a sealant before the final staining to achieve a uniform and smooth surface for the stain. It also helps prevent the stain from bleeding.

Furniture PrepAverage Cost per Item
Stripping$100–$500
Sealing$80–$300

Labor

Most furniture refinishing specialists charge between $40 to $100 per hour for their services. However, they will likely charge a flat rate by the job rather than billing hourly. Get multiple quotes from professional furniture refinishers in your area to determine an accurate estimate for your project.

Furniture Refinishing Ongoing Expenses

Friends sanding chair
Photo: Caia Image / Collection Mix: Subjects / Getty Images

If you don’t plan on flipping and reselling the furniture that you refinished, there are a few costs that may come up in the future. Consider these potential expenses when budgeting for this project.

Touch-Ups

As life happens, your newly refinished furniture may experience scratches, dings, and patchy areas over time. It’s a good idea to keep some of the paint or stain in case you need to touch up any areas in the future. 

Repairs

It’s a bummer when the furniture piece you refinished ends up breaking, and you may want to have some money set aside for future repairs if needed. To help minimize the potential for future repairs, select sturdy, solid wood furniture to refinish. Avoid working with lower-quality medium-density fiberboard or particle board unless it’s a quick, easy, and inexpensive project.

Future Refinishing Projects

If you’re feeling fickle about your furniture refinishing plans, or if you’re selecting a color that you may eventually grow tired of, it’s possible that you’ll want to refinish the piece again in the future. Selecting timeless neutrals and avoiding trendy colors will help ensure you stay happy with your furniture’s new look.

DIY Furniture Refinishing vs. Hiring a Pro

The typical expense for refinishing a single piece of furniture is around $627, with approximately 50% to 85% of the total cost coming from labor charges. With that in mind, you can save considerably by learning how to paint furniture or stain it, as well as strip the existing finish beforehand. Keep in mind you will need to purchase, borrow, or rent the necessary tools, which could add between $20 to $200 or more.

However, DIYs don’t always go as planned, and taking on this project yourself carries the risk of an uneven, goopy, or possibly ruined finish. While it costs more, hiring a local furniture refinishing professional will help ensure you get the results you want. These seasoned pros have the skills and expertise to restore your furniture item to its original shine.

Cost of Common Furniture Refinishing Add-Ons

Pros will often offer discounts for bundling additional services. When booking your professional furniture refinishing expert, consider these add-on services:

Tips to Reduce Cost When Refinishing Furniture

Refinishing is a great way to refresh old furniture for a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new piece. Here are the best ways to make your project as frugal as possible to save even more:

  • Consider refinishing the furniture yourself to save on labor costs.

  • Use tools and equipment that you own or can borrow from friends, family, and neighbors to minimize the need for additional purchases or rentals.

  • Look for affordable yet high-quality paints, stains, and sealants to lower material expenses without compromising on the final result.

  • If you’re DIY-ing, compare prices at different stores or online retailers to find the best deals on refinishing supplies such as sandpaper, brushes, and protective gear.

  • Get at least three price quotes from different furniture refinishing professionals to find the best deal.

  • If the furniture piece only requires touch-ups or repairs in certain areas, focus on those specific sections to reduce the overall refinishing cost.

  • Shop around for sales and deals on materials like paint, stripper, and stains.

  • Consider a smaller makeover such as swapping out the hardware to change up the look of the furniture.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi 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. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not always—heavily worn or broken furniture often isn’t worth repairing or refinishing (if it’s even possible). While some damage can be repaired and some of the visual appeal restored, major flaws, such as structural issues, can’t be fixed as easily. If you still want a cost-saving furniture refinishing project rather than purchasing all new, consider shopping for similar secondhand pieces at thrift stores, garage sales, and estate sales.

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Learn more about our contributor
Alison Kasch
Written by Alison Kasch
Contributing Writer
Alison is a Chicago-based writer who has spent the last seven years focusing her content on everything inside and outside the home.
Alison is a Chicago-based writer who has spent the last seven years focusing her content on everything inside and outside the home.