Get matched with top cabinet refacers and refinishers in Chillicothe, TX

To prepare for cabinet refinishing or refacing, it’s important to remove all items from the cabinetry in question. In addition, clear any clutter from the room, whether it's the kitchen, bathroom, or otherwise. Be sure to have additional cabinet materials, such as cabinet hardware, lights, and glass inserts, ready for your cabinet installer to use.

Finally, if you have pets, ensure they are in a safe, separate location away from your cabinet professionals, who will bring materials in and out of your home during the process.

Refinishing cabinets requires a significant commitment, so even a professional will take between 40 and 120 hours on average to complete a cabinet refinishing project. In most cases, you’re looking at a week or more of work, although this depends on the number of cabinets you have and how many laborers will be working on the project. Whether you’re refinishing cabinets in your kitchen, bathroom, or office, you should plan on the room being at least partially out of commission for one to two weeks. DIY refinishing will usually take a month or two, depending on your expediency.

When deciding between stripping or sanding kitchen cabinets, the short answer is it depends on the condition of your cabinets and your end goal for them. If the cabinets are in fairly good condition and don’t have several layers of paint on them, sanding is a good option. On the other hand, older cabinets with more blemishes or marks will benefit from paint stripping, since it will give any future finishes a clean slate.

Yes, you can stain existing kitchen cabinets. Perhaps you’ve moved into a new home but aren’t in love with the existing stain. Luckily, you don’t have to tear out the old cabinets and replace them. You can refinish your kitchen cabinets by removing the old stain—either by sanding or with a chemical stripper—then applying new stain and sealer to achieve the look you want for less than the cost of installing new cabinets.