How Much Does it Cost to Stain Cabinets?

Your kitchen might not need a complete overhaul, but freshening the look of the cabinets is a great way to update the space. There are a number of options to consider, including painting or refacing — which are viable options for cabinets made of laminate or veneer ­— or staining, which you can do if the cabinets are made of wood or wood veneer. Any cabinet refinishing will require a varying degree of labor depending on the condition of the cabinets. And given the precision that’s required to complete the task, it’s best left to the professionals. In the past six months, Angie’s List members reported spending an average of $2,550 to stain wood veneer cabinets, while the cost to stain solid wood hovered closer to $9,000, depending on the number of cabinets.

For the best results, the kitchen cabinets will have to be stripped of their old stain or paint and then repaired and sanded before the new stain is applied. Homeowners are often tempted to save a buck or two and tackle this themselves. But most likely the cabinets will turn out looking like a DIY-job, and that’s not pretty. It’s also a messy and time-consuming project. Hiring a contractor who has experience staining cabinets (and is appropriately licensed, bonded and insured) will save you the trouble and give your kitchen a flawless finish.

Cabinets with smooth fronts and lack of carvings or trim will be easier (and cheaper) to stain than those with intricate detailing. Also, the number of cabinets in question will affect the final cost. However, you should be able to continue using the kitchen throughout a refinishing project, which will cut down on the expense of eating out every night.

You may have come across a Pinterest post about homeowners using gel stains to refinish cabinets or furniture. Gel stains are heavy-bodied, and won’t permeate the surface of a cabinet like a liquid oil-based stain would (kind of like spreading peanut butter on bread). Because of their heavy texture, they color porous and non-porous areas alike, and aren’t affected by the type of wood. They’re also easily applied to vertical surfaces (no drips!) and can be used to take cabinets from a darker color to a white, which isn’t possible with a liquid stain.

However, because gel stains sit on the surface and don’t permeate, they won’t bring out the depth in a piece of wood. If your goal is to enhance a wood’s natural beauty, stick with a liquid stain. Gel stains are best used on non-porous woods such as pine, maple, cherry and birch.

Sources: angi.com; bobvila.com