Planning guide · Cabinet refinishing

Everything you need to know before refinishing your condo cabinets

This guide walks you through what to check, what to decide, and what to expect — so your estimate call is fast, your project runs smoothly, and the finish lasts.

Get a free video estimateStart the self-assessment
Cabinet doors receiving a 2K polyurethane spray finish

Phase 0 — Is this right for you?

5 questions before you reach out

Answer these honestly. They'll tell you whether refinishing is right for your cabinets — and flag anything to discuss on the estimate call.

01

Are your cabinet boxes structurally sound — no soft wood, delamination, or water damage at the base?

✓Good to go

Box integrity is the foundation. If yes, refinishing makes sense.

02

Are your doors a flat or simple routed profile — not heavily carved, glass-front, or thermofoil wrap?

!Discuss on call

Most profiles work. Thermofoil and intricate carved doors need a closer look — we'll assess on the video walkthrough.

03

Does your building allow contractor access during standard weekday hours (8am–5pm)?

!Confirm first

Access hours and elevator reservation windows affect scheduling. Get this from your condo docs before booking.

04

Are you comfortable being without your kitchen for 2–3 consecutive days during the project?

✓Good to go

That's the typical production window. Planning around it makes everything easier.

05

Do you want a lasting result built for daily use — not just a cosmetic fix that needs touching up in a year?

✓Right service

2K polyurethane is harder and more durable than most brush-on paints. If durability matters, this is the right call.

Mostly green → strong candidate. Yellow items → bring them to the video walkthrough, no commitment needed. Red on box condition → let's talk honestly about whether repair or replacement makes more sense first.

Discuss on a free video call

Phase 1 — Before you reach out

What to document before the walkthrough

You don't need all of this locked down — but clients who come prepared get a written quote faster and avoid scope surprises.

Your cabinets

  • Count total door and drawer front count
  • Photograph each run front-on in good light
  • Close-up photos of any chipped edges, worn corners, or staining
  • Note whether boxes have existing paint or stain (affects prep)

Your building

  • Check condo bylaws for contractor access hours and elevator reservation process
  • Confirm whether your building requires a certificate of insurance from contractors
  • Note any shared ventilation restrictions — relevant for low-VOC finish selection
  • Find out if neighboring units will need notice for any reason

Your timeline

  • Identify any hard date constraints — guests arriving, listing date, lease renewal
  • Confirm 2–5 consecutive weekdays are available for the project
  • Decide if you'll be present during work or provide key access
  • Note any travel or building blackout periods coming up

Clients who send 4–6 photos before the walkthrough call typically receive their written quote the same day.

Phase 2 — Your design decisions

Decisions you'll make before work begins

None of these need to be answered before the estimate call — but knowing what's coming helps you think them through.

Color

What color do you want the finished cabinets?

  • Bone white (most popular in Boston condos)
  • Deep forest green
  • Matte black
  • Custom color match to an existing element

Jerry says

Start with the countertop and hardware finish, then build the cabinet color around those. Bone white reads lighter in person than on a screen — always request a sample before committing.

Sheen level

How much sheen do you want on the finished surface?

  • Matte — lowest sheen, hides surface texture
  • Satin — most popular, easy to wipe clean
  • Semi-gloss — highest durability, shows imperfections more

Jerry says

Satin is the right call for 80% of kitchens. Matte looks elegant but shows fingerprints and is harder to wipe. Semi-gloss is worth it for high-traffic households.

Hardware

Are you keeping your existing hardware, upgrading, or replacing it?

  • Keep existing hardware (reinstalled after finishing)
  • Upgrade to a new finish (e.g. brass to matte black)
  • Full replacement — new pulls and knobs

Jerry says

If replacing, order hardware before the project starts — lead times catch people off guard. Measure hole-to-hole spacing on your current pulls before ordering anything new.

Scope

Which surfaces are included in this project?

  • Kitchen doors and drawer fronts only
  • Doors, drawer fronts, and visible cabinet boxes
  • Kitchen plus bathroom vanity or laundry cabinet in same session

Jerry says

Bundling the bathroom vanity in the same project visit is the most efficient way to get consistent color across your home. It adds minimal time and typically less than $600 to the total.

Questions about any of these? The estimate call is the right place to work through them — no commitment required.

Book a free walkthrough

Phase 3 — The project workbook

What happens, day by day

Pre-construction

Before we arrive

  1. Written quote reviewed and signed
  2. Color and sheen level locked — no changes after this point
  3. Hardware ordered if replacing (allow 5–10 business days)
  4. Building elevator and access window reserved
  5. Pre-arrival checklist sent — you'll clear cabinet contents and leave key access

Production

Days 1–5 in your unit

Completed cabinet refinishing — Charlestown condo kitchen
  1. Day 1: Hardware removed, doors labeled, doors transported off-site for prep
  2. Day 1–2: Hand-sanding with cork blocks — no power tools, no noise through walls
  3. Day 2: Chips, dents, and edge damage filled and leveled
  4. Day 3–4: 2K polyurethane applied in two controlled coats, off-site spray environment
  5. Day 5: Doors returned, hardware reinstalled, alignment checked

Post-construction

After sign-off

  1. 48-hour cure window — avoid wiping or placing items against doors during this period
  2. Final walkthrough together — you inspect every door, edge, and hinge point
  3. Touch-up items addressed before you sign off, not after
  4. Building hallway and elevator inspected and cleared before departure
  5. Written warranty issued with your sign-off confirmation

Phase 4 — What "done" looks like

What 'done' actually looks like

What you get

  • Factory-smooth, consistent finish across every door and drawer front
  • 2K polyurethane surface harder and more durable than most brush-on paints
  • Hardware aligned and functioning the same as or better than before
  • Zero hallway damage, zero dust migration to other rooms
  • A written sign-off with a 2-year workmanship warranty

What to know

  • Open-grain wood (oak, ash) will show the grain through the finish — that's normal and expected, not a defect
  • Deep structural damage to boxes or doors must be repaired before finishing — we assess and flag this in the walkthrough
  • Color will appear slightly different under warm incandescent vs. cool natural light — always sample in your actual space
  • The first 48 hours after application are the critical cure window — the finish is touch-dry but not fully hardened until then
Worn kitchen cabinets before refinishing
Before
Kitchen cabinets after 2K polyurethane finish — factory smooth
After
See more results →

Ongoing care

Keeping the finish looking factory-grade

Day-to-day care

  • Wipe with a damp cloth and mild dish soap
  • Dry immediately — don't leave wet cloths against the surface
  • Use a microfiber cloth for fingerprints — no paper towels

Annual check

  • Inspect hinge points and leading edges for any chips
  • Call for a touch-up visit at the first sign of edge chipping — early repair prevents spread
  • Check hardware tightness — loose hinges cause door-edge wear

What to avoid

  • Ammonia-based cleaners (Windex, many multi-surface sprays)
  • Bleach or abrasive scrubbing pads
  • Steam directly from stovetop exhaust vented toward the cabinets
  • Adhesive hooks or contact paper stuck directly to the finish

Our commitment

What's covered

Covered

  • Finish adhesion failure — any delamination or peeling within 2 years, re-coated at no charge
  • Color inconsistency on delivered work — corrected before sign-off, not after
  • Hardware misalignment at final walkthrough — adjusted same day

Not covered

  • Chips or scratches from impact, dropped objects, or misuse after sign-off
  • Discoloration or damage from ammonia-based cleaners, bleach, or abrasive products
  • Normal surface wear over time — touch-up available at standard service rate

Read the full workmanship guarantee →

You're ready

Three steps to get started

Completed cabinet refinishing project — Charlestown
1
Schedule a free 20-minute video walkthrough

We assess your space, confirm scope, and answer every question from this guide.

2
Receive a written quote within 24 hours

Three-tier proposal with options — you choose the scope that fits your timeline and budget.

3
Lock your start date

We handle building paperwork, access coordination, and the pre-arrival checklist.

Get my free estimate

No commitment required. Written quote within 24 hours. MA HIC #208336.

Questions? Talk to Jerry directly.

Every estimate starts with a video walkthrough — no obligation, no pressure, just a clear written scope.

Schedule the walkthrough
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