The Cost Behind Refinishing

Heather Perkins • March 1, 2024

Why We Charge What We Charge & The Labor Required

So, you’re getting multiple quotes to get your cabinets painted but are finding a wide range of prices. We’ll explain the costs behind refinishing and break down how we create an estimate.


Our approach to creating an estimate is very itemized, we add every item in your kitchen to create a detailed breakdown of costs. Below are examples of items you’ll be charged for and the labor that goes behind each one.


Cabinet Boxes: We charge per box unit for the labor of hand rolling or spraying your cabinet carcass. Other refinishers may charge by “opening” and some will charge by square feet, causing a variation in costs. If you’re having your boxes sprayed this will be most expensive as it involves more risk, masking time and materials, and possible wall/ceiling/trim paint due to the potential for overspray.


Doors & Drawers: We add up the number of items. Labor to unhang, clean, sand, repair dents & imperfections, spray primer, and 2 topcoats to fronts and backs. More attention is given to fronts than backs as we always dry items face up. Some refinishers may charge more for the style of doors (trim & type of joints) and size. 


Extras: New unfinished cabinetry, wine racks, plate racks, glass cabinets, open shelving, bookcases, endcap panels, corbels, beadboard, detailed trim, and other intricate details add to the overall labor involved and increased cost. Any areas requiring the painting of the interior box will require significant added labor time. Refinisher prices for each item may vary greatly. 


Products Used: 2k wood coatings will be the most costly, followed by 1k Italian water-based polyurethane. These coatings are considered the latest technology in wood coatings and require the expertise of a professional refinisher. Retail products aren’t recommended for cabinetry but are widely offered at much lower costs than 1 & 2k by interior/exterior painting companies. Most professional refinishers are using 1 & 2k or water-based lacquers.


Scope of Work: Are your cabinets previously painted? Do your cabinets require stripping or removal of Thermafoil? Are you re-staining? Are you replacing doors & drawers? Are your new cabinets already primed or unfinished? These are big-ticket items that will greatly increase or decrease the cost of your estimate based on the amount of labor involved.


Heather Perkins, Owner
A La Carte Cabinet Painting, LLC.


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By Heather Perkins February 11, 2025
The year 2025 welcomes a collection of warm, neutral, and natural hues. In this blog, we delve into several key signature elements anticipated in today's designs. Design and Layout: Expect minimalistic, clean, and uncluttered spaces featuring concealed pantries, preparation areas, and sculleries that effectively hide messes, enhancing the experience of entertaining. Incorporating drawers throughout lower cabinetry provides additional storage, improved organization, and a practical solution for accommodating heavy pots and pans. Expansive islands equipped with built-in appliances and seating merge form and function, creating a shared space for both gathering and cooking seamlessly. Full overlay European-style cabinetry takes the center stage with it's sleek, modern appeal while traditional partial overlay takes a backseat in 2025. Open Shelving to neatly display plates, glasses, or cool trinkets and artwork add structural visual interest to and open up otherwise crowded wall space. Under Cabinet Lighting highlights countertop and backsplash and brightens the space Color Trends: Warm tones are in vogue while cool hues have taken a back seat. The era of stark white, sterile kitchens is a thing of the past; inviting warm shades encourage friends and family to congregate in a more welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, combinations of diverse textures and colors are trending. Rich, stained wood paired with gentle off-whites, greiges (a blend of grey and beige), or striking deep colors are all the rage this year. Below are some of our top color selections: Off Whites: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (Light Reflectance Value 83), Benjamin Moore White Dove (LRV 83), Benjamin Moore Seapearl (LRV 78) and Benjamin Moore Ballet White (LRV 72) Greiges: Benjamin Moore Classic Gray (LRV 73), Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (LRV 55), Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige (LRV 58), Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (LRV 63) and Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (68) Moody Darks: Sherwin Williams Rosemary, Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze, Sherwin Williams Naval, Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal and Sherwin Williams Black Magic Two-toned Kitchens: Natural woods mixed with painted cabinetry Finishes: Uniform finishes across the board are a thing of the past. Incorporating a blend of sheens and metals to create a subtle yet complementary contrast with cabinet colors introduces both interest and sophistication to the area. Warm metals such as antique brass can be beautifully combined with classic bronze or satin nickel, while polished brass provides a striking complement to polished chrome. Design professionals advise a maximum combination of 2-3 metals to achieve both interest and harmony within the space. At A La Carte Cabinet Painting, we provide complimentary expert color consultations designed to assist our clients in selecting shades that perfectly reflect their personality and design aspirations. We also order up to three Samplize color swatches for our clients, allowing them to visualize their preferred color options within their own space. These oversized peel and stick swatches are crafted from genuine paint by Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, PPG, and Farrow and Ball.
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