The typical furniture refinishing cost in the U S runs $106 – $274 per piece, averaging $184, but wide swings appear once you factor in size, finish, labor rates, and antiques. HomeAdvisor Dining‐table jobs often climb past $400 while a quick scratch touch-up may be $50. schoenbauer.com Pros charge $40 – $100 an hour on complex work, and antique restoration can top $3,800 for museum-grade repairs. Airtasker Below is a simple guide—prices, cost factors, savings tips, and how listing on Asherfield lets you earn 85 % of the resale price instead of paying those fees yourself.
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National averages
| Job type | Low–high range |
|---|---|
| Basic repair (scratch fill) | $50-$100 HomeAdvisor |
| Full strip & refinish (standard piece) | $106-$274 average |
| Dining-table refinish | $400-$1,200 (top & leaves) schoenbauer.com |
| Antique restoration | $40-$3,800+ Airtasker |
| Hourly labor | $40-$100/hr Angi |
| Paint-only refresh | $50–$85/gal paint cost Airtasker |
Key takeaway: Small scratches are cheap; large dining tables or antiques jump fast once stripping, staining, and specialty finishes enter the mix.
What drives price up (or down)
- Size & shape – tables and hutches need more sanding time.
- Old finish type – thick lacquer takes extra stripping chemicals.
- Detail work – carvings and spindles raise labor hours (avg. tech pay $19.77/hr in Austin). ZipRecruiter
- Paint vs. clear coat – paint hides flaws cheaper; clear stain must look perfect.
- Antique value – rare pieces need gentle, reversible steps.
Special focus: dining tables
Dining surfaces get heat rings and scratches, so full sand-downs are common. Expect:
- Top only: about $40-$70 per square foot in pro shops. schoenbauer.com
- Table + four chairs: $700 – $1,600 total.
- Add 10 % for leaf extensions.
Painting price list
| Finish | Avg. paint cost (per gal) |
|---|---|
| Satin | $50-$65 |
| Gloss | $68+ |
| Matte | $55-$70 |
| Eggshell | $70-$85 |
| Airtasker |
Pros may still bill hourly for prep and drying windows.
Save or profit? List on Asherfield
- Skip pro fees—DIY your flip, then list it.
- Serious buyers only – Asherfield collects a 15 % deposit, cutting no-shows. Pabau
- Fast payout – you keep 85 % at pickup or delivery.
- Free-delivery badge – listings offering free delivery boosted conversion 19 % in a furniture case study. Growth Rock
- No showroom drop-offs, edits go live in minutes.
Pro tip: Fold delivery cost into price—buyers still feel it’s a deal.
Internal links
- Dining table refinishing cost – deep dive
- Furniture painting price guide – full paint math
- Antique furniture restoration cost – special care & rates
- Furniture refinishing price PDF – free download
- How to refinish wood furniture (beginners) – 5-step DIY
- Furniture restoration business – turn skills into income
- Back to furniture refinishing cost pillar
FAQ
How much does it cost to refinish a dining table?
Most pros quote $400–$1,200, depending on size and damage. schoenbauer.com
What’s the cheapest way to refresh furniture?
DIY paint jobs can run under $100 in materials. Airtasker
Is hiring a pro worth it?
Complex antiques or large tables often need pro skills; hourly rates run $40-$100. Angi
How can I offset cost?
Flip the piece: list on Asherfield, keep 85 % of the sale.
Sources
- HomeAdvisor, Average Furniture Repair Cost HomeAdvisor
- Schoenbauer Furniture, Refinishing Pricing Guide schoenbauer.com
- Airtasker, Furniture Painting Cost Guide Airtasker
- Airtasker, Furniture Restoration Cost Airtasker
- Angi, Furniture Refinishing Cost Angi
- ZipRecruiter, Furniture Repair Technician Salary ZipRecruiter
- Pabau, Reducing No-Shows with Deposits Pabau
- GrowthRock, Free Shipping Conversion Case Study Growth Rock
- EPA, Municipal Solid-Waste Furniture Data epa.gov
