The cost to refinish wood furniture typically ranges from $150 to $1,200 per piece, with many common projects averaging $400 to $700. Final pricing depends on the furniture’s size, finish condition, wood type, repair needs, labor, and whether the work includes stripping, staining, painting, or a protective topcoat.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining chair | $100 | $225 | $450 | Per chair; carved details cost more |
| Dresser | $250 | $550 | $1,100 | Depends on drawer count and repairs |
| Dining table | $350 | $750 | $1,500 | Large tops and leaf sections add labor |
| Small side table | $125 | $275 | $550 | Simple shapes are usually less costly |
| Typical hourly labor | $45 | $75 | $120 | Rates vary by market and shop expertise |
What refinishing a table, dresser, or chair usually costs
For a standard household piece, a practical budget is $250 to $900, while large or ornate furniture can exceed $1,500. A simple side table with intact veneer may cost $125 to $350. A dresser with several drawers commonly runs $300 to $900, and a dining table often costs $400 to $1,200 when the top and base both need stripping and finishing.
These ranges generally assume professional shop work, ordinary access, a conventional stain or clear finish, and no extensive structural restoration. A painted finish may be less expensive when the existing coating can be prepared rather than fully stripped, but labor-intensive sanding and detailed brushwork can offset that difference.
Furniture pricing is usually quoted by the piece rather than by floor area. For a tabletop, some shops use surface-area estimates of roughly $12 to $35 per sq ft, but edges, legs, aprons, drawer fronts, and carved details are typically priced separately. A per-square-foot figure is therefore most useful for comparing tabletops, not for estimating an entire piece.
Assumptions: Typical U.S. shop labor, standard materials, and furniture in repairable condition; delivery and major reconstruction may be extra.
Where stripping, repairs, and finish materials appear in quotes
Labor is commonly the largest line item because stripping, sanding, repairs, and coating take substantially more time than the finish materials cost. The table shows indicative allocations for a $600 medium-size dresser job; actual shop quotes may combine several tasks into one charge.
| Quote item | Low | Average | High | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | $220 | $340 | $500 | 10-18 hours at $45-$120 per hour |
| Finish and supplies | $35 | $75 | $140 | Stain, clear coat, abrasives, and masking |
| Repairs and hardware | $0 | $65 | $220 | Loose joints, veneer patches, or pulls |
| Pickup, delivery, or disposal | $0 | $45 | $150 | Depends on distance and shop policy |
| Overhead and contingency | $30 | $75 | $160 | Shop costs and allowance for hidden damage |
A shop may charge a minimum fee of $100 to $200 for a small item because setup, cleanup, and finishing steps are still required. Specialty finishes, color matching, and multiple samples can add $50 to $250.
How wood species, finish damage, and furniture size change the quote
Condition and detail can move a quote more than the price of stain or varnish. A flat, lightly worn tabletop may need 5-8 labor hours, while a carved cabinet or heavily damaged dresser can require 20-35 hours. At $45-$120 per hour, that difference alone can shift the labor charge by hundreds or more than $2,000 for unusually intricate restoration.
Veneer affects the sanding plan. Thin veneer, often around 1/32 to 1/16 inch, can be damaged by aggressive sanding; careful removal of old finish and patching may add $75-$300. Solid wood can often tolerate more sanding, but deep water rings, burns, split joints, or previous paint layers may still require extra repair or stripping work.
Size is another direct cost driver. A table with a 30-40 sq ft top may cost roughly $400-$900 for top-only refinishing, while a 50-70 sq ft top with leaves, edges, and a detailed base can reach $800-$1,600. A six-drawer dresser usually takes longer than a three-drawer chest because fronts, interiors, and hardware require more handling.
Finish selection also matters. A straightforward clear coat may add $75-$200 in materials and application compared with a basic stain-and-seal job. A two-color finish, glazed details, or a custom match can add $100-$400. When the requested color is far from the original, the shop may need extra coats or test panels to achieve a consistent result.
How many shop hours a dining set or dresser needs
Most pieces spend several days in the shop, even when active labor totals only 6-20 hours. A small table may need 1-3 working days, while a dresser commonly takes 3-7 days because coatings need time to dry between applications. A complete dining set can occupy a shop for one to three weeks depending on the number of chairs and the finish schedule.
Hourly labor rates often fall between $45 and $120, with independent shops in lower-cost areas near the lower end and restoration specialists in expensive metro areas often charging more. A simple chair may take 2-5 hours; a detailed armchair with spindles and repairs may take 6-12 hours. A large table can require 10-25 hours when the top, base, and leaves all need work.
Turnaround time is not always the same as labor time. A shop may schedule work around existing jobs, humidity, temperature, and curing requirements. Oil-based finishes can require longer between coats than some water-based products. Rush work, when available, may add 10%-25%, particularly if it requires rearranging the shop schedule or using expedited delivery.
Ask whether the quote includes removal of hardware, drawer interiors, and underside surfaces. Some estimates cover only visible faces, while a full interior-and-exterior restoration requires additional handling. Confirming the scope before accepting the quote helps prevent a low initial price from increasing after work begins.
What refinishing costs in urban, suburban, and rural markets
Local labor and delivery distance commonly create a 10%-30% difference between otherwise similar furniture quotes. In high-cost metro areas such as New York, San Francisco, or Boston, shop rates may run 15%-30% above a national midrange. Prices in many suburbs fall closer to the middle, while smaller markets may be 10%-20% lower when skilled shops are available nearby.
Rural areas do not always mean lower total bills. A shop may charge less per hour but add a $75-$250 pickup or delivery fee for a long round trip, or require the customer to transport the piece. Large furniture can be costly to move safely, especially if stairs, narrow halls, or disassembly are involved.
Regional climate can influence scheduling and finishing methods. High humidity may extend drying time, while cold-weather transport can require indoor staging. These conditions do not automatically change the price, but a shop may quote more for climate-controlled work or add time for a finish that must cure under specific conditions.
Compare quotes from providers serving the same area and make sure each estimate covers identical surfaces, repairs, finish type, and delivery. A quote that excludes the table base or dresser interiors may appear 20%-40% lower than a complete restoration estimate.
Three furniture refinishing quotes with realistic project scopes
Comparing finished scope—not just the total—shows why similar furniture can receive very different estimates. These examples use typical professional-shop pricing and assume no major structural reconstruction.
| Example | Labor and scope | Unit estimate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small side table | 5 hours; strip, sand, stain, and seal | $35-$55 per sq ft of top area | $225-$375 |
| Six-drawer dresser | 14 hours; repair one drawer, refinish exterior | $50-$90 per labor hour plus materials | $650-$1,050 |
| Dining table and six chairs | 32-45 hours; refinish top and bases, finish chairs | $90-$160 per chair; table priced separately | $1,700-$3,000 |
For the side table, a quote near $225 is plausible if the shape is simple and the existing finish is easy to remove. The high end may include a damaged edge, extra finish coats, or a premium protective topcoat. Confirm whether the listed surface-area rate covers legs and apron work.
The dresser example assumes the drawers slide properly and only one needs a modest repair. Replacing broken drawer bottoms, patching veneer, or matching an uncommon color could add $100-$400. A quote that includes only the exterior may be lower than one covering drawer fronts, sides, top, and interior surfaces.
The dining set range reflects considerable labor and finish handling. Chair spindles and carved backs make each seat more time-consuming than a plain chair. If only the table surface needs refreshing, a top-only job may cost $400-$900, substantially less than refinishing the entire set.
Is refinishing cheaper than replacing or repairing the piece
Refinishing can cost less than replacing quality furniture, but it is not automatically economical for low-cost, damaged pieces. A $500-$900 restoration may make sense for a solid-wood table that would cost $1,500-$3,000 to replace with comparable construction. It may not make financial sense for a mass-produced dresser worth $200 if the quote is $700 and there is no sentimental or functional reason to keep it.
Repair-only work may preserve the existing finish and cost $75-$350 for tightening joints, fixing a drawer, replacing a small veneer patch, or touching up scratches. If the coating is generally sound, a cleaning and polish service may run $50-$200. These treatments will not remove deep stains or restore a worn-through finish, but they can avoid the expense of stripping the whole item.
Painting is another option when the wood is damaged or a uniform color is acceptable. Professional painting often costs $200-$700 for a small or medium piece, though ornate furniture and thorough prep can raise the total. Painting over valuable wood can reduce its appeal, so the cost comparison should include resale and preservation goals.
For a fair decision, compare the refinishing quote with the replacement cost of a similar-quality piece, not a cheaper product made with different materials. Include moving costs, hardware replacement, and any repairs that a replacement would also require.
Which project choices can lower the refinishing bill
The most reliable savings come from limiting the work to surfaces that need restoration and avoiding unnecessary custom steps. If the tabletop is worn but the base is sound, request a top-only quote. For a dresser, ask whether the interior and drawer sides need treatment or whether the visible exterior is sufficient. A narrower scope can reduce labor by $100-$500, depending on the piece.
Choose a standard stain or clear finish instead of a custom color match, decorative glaze, or specialty sheen. Standard finishes may save $50-$250 by reducing sample work and application time. A simpler finish is not always cheaper if it requires extensive stripping, so have the shop price the same prep process with two finish options.
Prepare the piece before delivery only when the shop approves it. Removing contents, emptying drawers, and documenting loose hardware can reduce handling time. Customers should not aggressively sand or apply chemical stripper in advance; uneven sanding, residue, or damaged veneer can add $100-$400 in corrective labor.
Get at least three written quotes and provide each shop with the same photographs, dimensions, condition notes, and finish request. Ask for separate prices for repairs, delivery, and optional work. Bundling several chairs with a table may lower per-chair setup costs, often by 5%-15%, but only if all pieces need a similar finish and can be completed together.
Finally, schedule non-urgent work when the shop is less busy and allow a flexible completion date. Avoid paying for rush service unless timing has real value. Before approving work, confirm the final finish, included surfaces, repair allowance, delivery charge, and whether the estimate can change if hidden damage appears.