Let’s talk numbers for Wichita kitchens. Refinishing stretches your budget the farthest when the boxes are sturdy. Refacing buys a new style with the existing layout, while replacement is the move if the cabinets are failing or you’re reworking the space.
Use the table below to see where your kitchen is likely to land, then skim the factors so you know what moves the price up or down.
One Table: Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Cost in Wichita
All pricing reflects typical Wichita projects for an average-size kitchen. Your exact number depends on condition, finish, and scope.
| Category / Scope | What It Includes | Typical Wichita Price Range | Notes |
| Refinishing (standard) | Clean, sand, prime, and refinish existing doors, drawer fronts, and cabinet boxes | $1,000–$4,000 | Best value when boxes are structurally sound |
| Painting (subset of refinishing) | Cabinet-grade primer and paint in one color | $600–$4,000 | Smooth spray finishes cost more than brush/roll |
| Staining | Strip/condition, stain, and clear topcoat | $1,000–$3,500 | Highlights wood grain on oak, maple, cherry |
| Glazing (decorative) | Tinted glaze over paint or stain for depth | $1,500–$4,500 | Adds labor; popular on raised-panel doors |
| Distressing (decorative) | Weathered/rustic effects plus topcoat | $1,800–$5,000 | Style-driven; multiple steps |
| Two-Tone Refinishing | Different colors on uppers vs. lowers/island | $2,000–$5,500 | Extra masking and spray cycles |
| Refacing | New doors/drawer fronts + veneer on boxes | $4,000–$9,000 | Keep layout; big style change |
| Replacing Cabinets | New cabinet boxes, doors, and layout options | $3,000–$13,000+ | Opens the door to a full remodel |
| Hardware Replacement | New knobs/pulls/hinges | $100–$500 | Soft-close hinges add labor time |
| Custom Finish Add-Ons | Accent glazes, specialty effects | $200–$800 | Priced per finish/area |
| Structural Repairs (per cabinet) | Fix warped panels, loose joints, hinge tear-outs | $100–$400 | Needed before finishing for durability |
| Specialized Topcoats | Extra-durable or moisture-resistant coatings | $200–$600 | Great near sinks, ranges, dishwashers |
| Typical Labor Rate (Wichita) | Skilled finisher labor | $40–$70 per hour | Varies by prep level and finish system |
| Typical Timeline | On-site days for an average kitchen | 3–5 days | Cure time may extend before heavy use |
What Actually Changes the Price
Material and Condition
Solid wood cabinets refinish beautifully. Laminate and MDF can still be refinished but need extra prep. Swollen particleboard, water damage, or broken frames add repair time before coatings can go on.
Size and Complexity
More cabinet doors and drawer fronts mean more masking, sanding, and spray cycles. Features like crown molding, glass inserts, beadboard panels, and paneled ends are detail work that adds hours.
Finish Path
A single-color paint system is the most budget-friendly. Stain, two-tone schemes, glazing, and distressing are multi-step processes that add labor. Upgrading to cabinet-grade enamels or urethane-modified acrylics increases material cost but improves chip resistance and cleanability.
Prep Requirements
Degreasing kitchen buildup, repairing dings, filling old hardware holes, sanding brush marks from a previous DIY job. Prep is where durability is won or lost. Heavy prep shifts labor costs more than any other step.
Access and Setup
Tight kitchens, limited staging space, or the need for on-site spray containment can extend the setup and masking phase. Shops that remove doors and finish them in a controlled environment typically deliver a smoother result.
Hardware and Functional Upgrades
Swapping hardware is quick; converting to concealed or soft-close hinges, or upgrading drawer slides, takes longer and adds parts.
Refinish, Reface, or Replace?
Refinish
Great when cabinet boxes are solid and you like your current layout. You keep the framework, update the color or stain, and end up with fresh, cleanable surfaces without the demolition mess.
Reface
Best when you want a new door style (shaker, slab, raised panel) but your cabinet boxes are fine. New doors and drawer fronts transform the look while a matching veneer ties in the boxes.
Replace
Right for failing cabinet boxes, a new footprint, or a broader remodel that touches floors, plumbing, and electrical. Replacement also opens up modern storage like full-extension drawers and pull-out trays.
How to Build a Smart Budget
Start by counting openings (every door and drawer front). That count, plus finish complexity, drives most quotes.
Decide your finish path (paint, stain, or a decorative option), note any repairs or upgrades you already know about, and ask for a line-item estimate.
Keeping everything itemized makes it easy to trim scope without sacrificing durability.
When Refinishing Is the Right Call
Choose refinishing if the cabinet boxes are sturdy, the layout works, and the surfaces are just tired. Yellowed clear coats, dated colors, light scratches, or minor chips.
You’ll modernize the kitchen, avoid unnecessary waste, and keep the doors you already own moving smoothly with new coatings and fresh hardware.
DIY or Professional?
DIY can keep the cash outlay low, but expect several days of prep, lots of masking, and a learning curve with primers and topcoats. Spraying requires proper equipment and ventilation.
Hiring a finisher costs more than a DIY trip to the store but buys you shop-level prep, cabinet-grade coatings, a predictable timeline, and a warranty. Useful if the goal is a smooth, durable finish that stands up to daily use.
What to Expect From a Professional Process
A tidy, repeatable sequence: clean and degrease; label and remove cabinet doors and drawer fronts; mask and protect the kitchen; sand and repair; apply bonding or stain-blocking primer; spray finish coats; allow proper cure time; rehang, level, and install hardware; final walk-through.
Most average kitchens wrap on site within a workweek, with doors finished in a controlled environment for the smoothest results.
Get a Clear, Line-Item Estimate
Want a number tailored to your kitchen? We’ll count the doors and drawer fronts, check the cabinet boxes, talk through finishes, and give you a clean proposal for the cabinet painting, no surprises. Call (316)-800-6994 to schedule a free in-person visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kitchen cabinet refinishing cost vs. refacing or replacing
Refinishing is typically the most cost-effective, refacing sits in the middle, and full replacement is the premium route. Use the table above to compare at a glance.
Do countertops need to come off?
No. Refinishing and most refacing projects keep countertops in place.
How long will the finish last?
With solid prep and cabinet-grade products, many Wichita kitchens go years before needing touch-ups. Gentle cleaners and soft-close hardware help extend the life of the finish.