Cost to Start a Cabinet Refinishing Business (Free Calculator)
You can start a cabinet refinishing business for as little as $450–$780 with brushes, rollers, and a sander, enough for basic repaints. A full-time solo setup with an HVLP spray system for factory-finish quality runs about $2,700–$4,700, and a dedicated spray shop with a cargo van for door-removal volume pushes it to $19,000+. Use the calculator below to build your own number.
Build your cabinet refinishing startup budget
Pick a budget tier, edit any price to match your market, and see your real startup cost, monthly overhead, and how many kitchens it takes to break even. No signup, no email.
Brushes, rollers, and sanding tools — enough to start basic cabinet repaints, though brushed finishes show more than a sprayed one.
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The honest range: $450 to $19,000+
Cabinet refinishing’s range on “how much does it cost to start” comes down to brushing versus spraying — brushes and rollers get you started; HVLP spraying is what produces the factory-finish quality that commands premium pricing; and a dedicated spray shop is what supports real volume.
Most refinishers start with brush and roller work, then invest in an HVLP sprayer once customers start comparing finish quality to a professional shop.
Tier 1 — Bootstrap (~$450–$780)
Quality brushes, rollers, and an orbital sander — enough to start basic cabinet repaints.
- Brushes & rollers (~$150) — the core application kit
- Orbital sander (~$200) — with dust extraction
- Drop cloths & prep supplies (~$100) — protects the space
Tier 2 — Serious Solo (~$2,700–$4,700)
The upgrade that changes the business is an HVLP spray system — a sprayed enamel with proper prep looks factory-finished, which is what separates refinishing work that commands premium pricing from a brushed job.
Tier 3 — Pro Rig ($19,000+)
A dedicated spray shop space produces the cleanest finish and fastest turnaround (rather than tenting in the client’s home), and a cargo van for hauling removed doors and drawers off-site supports real full-kitchen volume.
Don’t forget the monthly number
Startup cost is the one-time hit; monthly overhead against what you charge decides whether the business works. Solo, budget roughly $270–$500/month: paint and finishing supplies, fuel, and general liability insurance, plus booking/invoicing software. At a $5,000 average kitchen, covering $350 of overhead takes well under one job.
The calculator turns that into a single line: how many kitchens it takes to break even.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a cabinet refinishing business?
A lean start is $450–$780 with quality brushes, rollers, and an orbital sander — enough for basic cabinet repaints. A full-time solo setup with an HVLP spray system runs $2,700–$4,700.
Is spraying really worth the upgrade over brushing?
Yes — it's the main quality difference in this trade. A sprayed enamel with proper prep looks factory-finished, while a brushed one shows every stroke on a surface people touch daily. Most premium-priced work in this trade is sprayed.
What equipment do you need to start cabinet refinishing?
The non-negotiables are quality brushes and an orbital sander. An HVLP spray system is the Serious Solo upgrade for factory-finish quality. A dedicated spray shop space is the pro-tier investment for the cleanest finish and fastest turnaround.
What are the ongoing monthly costs of a cabinet refinishing business?
Budget roughly $270–$500 a month solo: paint and finishing supplies ($80–$280), fuel ($50–$200), and general liability insurance ($45–$150), plus booking/invoicing software.
Is a cabinet refinishing business profitable?
Yes — priced per door ($75–$150), per drawer ($40–$90), and per linear foot of box face ($30–$60), putting a standard 30-door kitchen at $3,500–$7,000. At a $5,000 average kitchen, the Bootstrap tier pays for itself in a single job.