You can save money by reupholstering your furniture over buying new, but how much does reupholstery cost? Find out in this cost guide.
How Much Does Furniture Refinishing Cost? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $337 - $922
Furniture refinishing costs $629 on average, or between $337 and $922, depending on the type of furniture, the refinishing method, and labor costs.
How we get this data
Photo: Morsa Images / E+ / Getty Images
Photo: Morsa Images / E+ / Getty Images
The cost of furniture refinishing is $629 on average, but you can expect to pay between $337 to $922, depending on the type, size, and condition of the furniture piece. A minor refinishing project may cost as low as $150, while a large, complex service may cost up to $1,500. This guide will help you plan your budget for your furniture refinishing project.
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 Item | Average 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 Method | Average 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 Prep | Average 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
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 $629, 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:
Furniture repair cost: $150–$250
Furniture upholstery cleaning cost: $120–$240
Rug cleaning cost: $100–$350
Furniture reupholstery cost: $50–$4,000
Cabinet hardware costs: $100–$10,000
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 [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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