Cabinet Refinishing FAQ

Cabinet refinishing in Metro Atlanta typically ranges from $1,200 to $3,500 for a standard kitchen, depending on cabinet count, condition, and the finish selected. This compares to $8,000–$25,000+ for full cabinet replacement. Most homeowners save 50–70% by choosing refinishing over new cabinets. We provide free in-home estimates with detailed, itemized quotes so you know exactly what you're paying for before any work begins.

These terms are often used interchangeably, but technically they differ. Cabinet refinishing is a broader process that typically involves stripping the existing finish, sanding, repairing any damage, then applying a new finish — which could be paint, stain, or a clear coat. Cabinet painting specifically refers to applying a new paint color, usually without fully stripping the old finish first. At Cabinet Refacing GA, we follow a thorough prep process regardless of the service, because proper surface preparation is what separates a lasting finish from one that peels within a year.

A standard kitchen cabinet refinishing project takes 2–4 days from start to finish. Day one is typically cleaning, degreasing, and disassembly. Days two and three involve sanding, priming, and applying finish coats. Day four is final coat, reassembly, and hardware reinstallation. You'll be without a functional kitchen for a shorter period than a full replacement, which can take 4–8 weeks. We work to minimize disruption and keep your home livable throughout the process.

Most solid wood and plywood-based cabinets refinish beautifully. This includes maple, oak, cherry, alder, birch, and painted MDF cabinets. 100% particleboard cabinets or cabinets with significant water damage, delamination, or structural failure are generally not good refinishing candidates. Thermofoil-wrapped cabinets can sometimes be refinished but require special preparation. During your free estimate, we'll assess your specific cabinet construction and tell you honestly whether refinishing is the right choice.

With proper preparation and quality materials, professionally refinished cabinets should last 8–15 years before needing attention again. The key factors are surface prep (the most important variable), primer quality, paint or stain product selection, and how the cabinets are maintained afterward. We use commercial-grade finishes that are significantly more durable than anything available at a hardware store. Proper cleaning — avoiding harsh scrubbers and ammonia-based cleaners — will extend the life of your finish considerably.

Yes. We can color-match virtually any existing paint or stain using a spectrophotometer reading of your current cabinet, a paint chip, or a manufacturer color code. If you're changing colors entirely, we work with you to select from thousands of colors across major paint brands and can provide large sample swatches painted directly on your cabinet material so you see exactly what the final result will look like in your lighting before we commit.

Yes — please empty all cabinet contents before our crew arrives. This includes dishes, food, cleaning supplies, and anything stored inside. You don't need to move the cabinet boxes themselves (we work around them in place), but the interiors need to be fully clear. We'll remove the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware ourselves. Having everything cleared out beforehand speeds up the process and protects your belongings.

We use professional-grade, water-based alkyd and acrylic urethane finishes designed specifically for cabinetry — brands such as Benjamin Moore Advance, Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane, and comparable commercial-grade products. These products self-level to minimize brush marks, have excellent hardness and scrub resistance, and hold color over time. We do not use standard wall paint on cabinets. The right product, applied correctly, is the foundation of a durable cabinet finish.

When done correctly, a professionally refinished cabinet should be indistinguishable from a factory-finished one. We use HVLP (high volume, low pressure) spray equipment on all door fronts and drawer faces, which produces a smooth, even finish without visible brush strokes. Cabinet boxes are typically brushed and rolled with a foam roller, and we sand between coats to achieve maximum smoothness. The quality of the prep work — filling grain, sanding to the right grit, using high-build primer — is what makes the difference.

We can absolutely work on just the doors and drawer fronts, or focus on specific cabinets that are most visible or most worn. Many homeowners choose to refinish the perimeter cabinets and island only, for example. We'll discuss what makes practical and visual sense for your specific kitchen layout. Partial refinishing is a great option when the cabinet boxes are in good shape but the doors are showing wear.

We take cleanliness seriously on every job. We mask and protect countertops, appliances, floors, and adjacent walls before starting. Our spray equipment is used with proper containment, and we use low-VOC waterborne finishes that produce far less odor than solvent-based products. There will be some smell during application and curing — adequate ventilation for 24–48 hours after completion is recommended. We clean up thoroughly before leaving each day.

Yes. Bathroom vanities are a popular project because the scale is smaller, the cost is lower, and the impact on the room is significant. The process is the same as kitchen cabinets. Bathroom environments do require careful attention to moisture resistance in product selection — we account for this in our material choices. A vanity refinishing project typically takes one day and can dramatically update a dated bathroom without touching tile or countertops.

Cabinet refacing means replacing the cabinet door fronts, drawer fronts, and applying a veneer or laminate to the existing cabinet box faces — while leaving the box structure in place. Refinishing means chemically or mechanically removing the existing finish from the current doors and boxes, then applying a new finish. Refacing is ideal when the door style itself is outdated (raised panel vs. shaker, for example) and you want a new profile, not just a new color. Refinishing is better when you like your current door style and just want a fresh color or updated look. Both are dramatically cheaper than full replacement.

Yes. Cabinet Refacing GA carries full general liability insurance with $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate coverage, protecting your home throughout the project. We are actively pursuing our Georgia Residential Basic Qualifying Agent contractor license and operate within Georgia's licensing requirements. We are happy to provide a certificate of insurance upon request before any work begins.

We stand behind our work. If adhesion failures, peeling, or finish defects occur due to our application process under normal use conditions, we will address them at no charge. We ask that homeowners follow the care guidelines we provide — avoiding harsh chemicals, abrasive scrubbers, and excessive moisture on cabinet surfaces — as these can void the warranty. We'll go over proper care with you at project completion so your finish looks great for years to come.