The honest comparison

Refinishing vs. Replacement

Full cabinet replacement costs $20,000–$50,000+ and takes months. DIY painting lasts a year or two before it peels. Here's what actually separates each option — so you can choose without regret.

Cost at a glance

The price gap is real

Typical cost ranges for a standard Boston-area kitchen. Replacement figure per industry data and contractor quotes.

Jerry & Co. refinishing~$1,800–$9,500

Full replacement$20k–$50k+

Side by side

The full comparison

Feature	DIY Paint	★★★★★Jerry & Co.Refinishing	Full Replacement
Typical cost	~$200–$800 in materials	$1,800–$9,500	$20,000–$50,000+
Project timeline	A weekend or more — on your own schedule	2–5 days, professionally managed	6–16 weeks from order to install
Visual result	Brush marks, lap lines, uneven film	Factory-smooth spray finish — looks new	New cabinets (layout unchanged)
In-unit disruption	High — you do the work, you manage the mess	Low — doors leave the unit, boxes fully masked	Extreme — demo, weeks without cabinets
Longevity	1–3 years before peeling or chipping	10+ years with 2K polyurethane	10–20+ years (depends on material)
Color flexibility	Any color, but quality varies by painter skill	100s of colors, professional color-match	Manufacturer's SKU options only
Workmanship guarantee	None	2-year guarantee + touch-up kit	Varies by manufacturer and installer

Good fit

Refinishing makes sense when

Your cabinet boxes are structurally sound — no warping, water damage, or delamination
You want a fresh color or a factory finish without the cost and timeline of full replacement
You're in a condo or rental where a gut renovation isn't practical or permitted
You need the kitchen back in days, not weeks or months
You'd rather put the saved $15k–$40k into counters, tile, appliances, or another room

Consider instead

Replacement makes more sense when

The cabinet boxes themselves are warped, water-damaged, or structurally failing
You need a completely different kitchen layout or configuration
You're doing a full gut renovation and pulling permits regardless

Not sure which category you're in? A video estimate takes 20 minutes and we'll tell you honestly if refinishing isn't the right call for your cabinets.

Proof of concept

See the difference yourself

Before

Dated oak finish, builder-grade

After

2K polyurethane spray, deep forest green