New cabinets aren’t always the answer. Sometimes refinishing is.

The same cabinets. A completely different kitchen.

Cabinet replacement is a major project — cost, timeline, disruption. But if your cabinets are structurally sound and you’re unhappy with the color, finish, or dated look, replacement may not be what you need.

Refinishing strips the old finish and applies a new one. Done correctly, the result is a kitchen that looks like it has new cabinets — at a fraction of the cost and with far less disruption.

Refinishing works when:

– Your cabinet boxes are solid — no warping, significant water damage, or structural failure

– The layout and size of your cabinets work for your kitchen

– The door and drawer style are fine, or you’re open to replacing just the doors (a common approach)

– You want a dramatic change in look without a full replacement budget

Refinishing is not the right answer when:

– The boxes are damaged or structurally compromised

– The layout itself is the problem

– You want a significantly different door profile or style that can’t be achieved with new doors

We’ll look at your cabinets and tell you honestly which category you’re in.

How we do it

**Assessment**

We examine the cabinet boxes, doors, and drawer fronts. We’re looking at wood condition, existing finish, and whether the structure can hold a quality refinish.

**Preparation**

Proper prep is what separates a refinish that lasts from one that chips and peels inside two years. Doors and drawer fronts come down. Surfaces are cleaned, deglossed, and sanded. Hardware is removed.

**Application**

We apply the new finish in controlled conditions. Paint or stain — depending on your cabinet material and your preference. Multiple coats, with sanding between coats.

**Reassembly**

Doors go back on adjusted and aligned. Hardware is reinstalled or replaced. Everything opens and closes the way it should.

**Result**

A kitchen that looks like it has new cabinets. Without the cost of new cabinets.

Color, finish, and hardware

The most common change is color. Oak cabinets that came with the house, painted a clean white or a warm gray, look like a different kitchen. A dark stain on dated wood can modernize a space significantly.

Hardware makes a larger difference than most people expect. New pulls and hinges, matched to the new finish, complete the transformation.

If the door style is dated but the boxes are good, we can also replace just the doors while refinishing the boxes — a hybrid approach that gets you most of the way to replacement results at a lower cost.

The honest comparison

Cabinet replacement — new boxes, new doors, installed — is a significant line item in any kitchen project. Refinishing typically costs a fraction of that.

The right choice depends on the condition of your existing cabinets and what you’re trying to achieve. We’ll walk you through the comparison honestly and let you decide.

Burlington, South Burlington, and Williston

We refinish cabinets throughout our service area. Call us if you’re nearby and unsure whether we cover your location.

Not sure if your cabinets are good candidates for refinishing?

That’s the right question to start with. We’ll look at them and tell you.

**[Call Us: (XXX) XXX-XXXX]**

Or fill out the short form and we’ll reach out within one business day.