How Much Does Wood Refinishing Cost?

Wood refinishing is specialty work. It requires a different set of skills, products, and patience than painting a wall — and the cost reflects that. Whether you have a staircase that needs stripping and restaining, kitchen cabinets ready for a new finish, or hardwood floors that have been refinished one too many times with a paint roller, the price depends on what the wood actually needs.

What drives the cost of wood refinishing

The condition of the existing finish

A surface with one thin, even coat of old finish strips down quickly. A surface with five layers of paint, polyurethane, and old varnish — or worse, surfaces where lead-based paint was applied decades ago — requires more aggressive prep. We've refinished historic woodwork that had layers built up over a century. The time to prepare the surface is usually the biggest cost factor.

The species and condition of the wood itself

Different wood species take stain and finish differently. Pine, oak, walnut, birch — they each have their own grain structure and porosity. Wood that has been damaged by water, sun exposure, or heavy wear may need sanding to bare wood before any finish product is applied. That work takes time and skilled hands.

The scope of the project

Refinishing a single door is a different job than refinishing a full staircase with balusters, a newel post, and a landing. Cabinet refinishing involves removing doors, degreasing, sanding, priming, and finishing each piece individually before reinstalling. Floor refinishing involves clearing the space, sanding the floor in multiple passes, and applying finish coats with dry time between each.

The finish type

Oil-based finishes, water-based polyurethane, lacquer, stain-and-seal combinations — each has different application requirements, dry times, and end results. We'll walk you through what finish makes sense for how the surface is used and the look you want to achieve.

Our experience with refinishing

Shawn started his career in auto collision repair — a trade built on surface preparation and finishing. That foundation carries into every refinishing project. We've restored historic woodwork at the Deere-Wiman/Butterworth Center in Moline, refinished staircases in Orion IL, and worked on refinishing projects across the Quad Cities for over 30 years. The goal is always to bring the wood back to its best.

Get a Free Estimate

Wood refinishing is one of those projects where photos and dimensions only tell part of the story. The most accurate quote comes from seeing the piece in person. Call or text 563-269-4559, or book a free estimate online — we serve clients across Davenport IA, Rock Island IL, Moline IL, Bettendorf IA, and the wider Quad Cities area.