Why Spokane Homeowners Are Saving Thousands
In recent years, homeowners across the Inland Northwest have discovered a remarkable alternative to costly kitchen renovations. Once considered a temporary fix, Cabinet refinishing has evolved into a sophisticated transformation process that delivers stunning results at a fraction of replacement costs.
With the average kitchen renovation in Spokane now ranging from $25,000 to $35,000 or more according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, many homeowners face a difficult question: How can they transform outdated kitchens without emptying their savings accounts?
At Kings Custom Finishes, we’ve refined a specialized four-day cabinet transformation process that’s helping Inland Northwest homeowners achieve magazine-worthy kitchen makeovers while saving tens of thousands of dollars. But before exploring this option, it’s essential to understand the actual costs and considerations of each approach.
The True Cost of Cabinet Replacement in Spokane
Complete Replacement Costs Breakdown
When Spokane Valley homeowners begin researching cabinet replacement, they’re often shocked by the price tags. Stock cabinets typically start around $80-$120 per linear foot installed, while semi-custom options range from $150-$250 per linear foot, and fully custom cabinets can exceed $500 per linear foot.
For an average kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinetry, these costs translate to:
- Stock cabinets: $2,400-$3,600 (materials only)
- Semi-custom: $4,500-$7,500 (materials only)
- Custom: $15,000+ (materials only)
Installation adds approximately 50% to these costs, and that’s before considering the hidden expenses that frequently surprise homeowners:
- Demolition and removal of existing cabinets ($500-$1,500)
- Disposal fees ($200-$400)
- Potential structural modifications to accommodate new cabinets
- Plumbing and electrical adjustments ($500-$2,000)
- Countertop replacement (nearly always required with new cabinets)
Perhaps most concerning for Spokane and Coeur d’Alene homeowners is the timeline reality. Before pandemic-related supply chain issues, cabinet delivery times averaged 4-8 weeks. Today, many local contractors report that they have been waiting 3-6 months for quality cabinetry to arrive, with installation adding another 1-2 weeks to the process.
Semi-Replacement Options
Some homeowners consider middle-ground approaches like cabinet refacing (replacing doors and drawer fronts while applying matching veneer to existing cabinet boxes) or installing new doors on existing frames.
While these options cost approximately 30-50% less than full replacement, they still require significant investment, typically $10,000-$15,000 for an average kitchen. Additionally, these services are limited in the Inland Northwest, with few specialized contractors offering quality work in this niche.
The Cabinet Refinishing Revolution
What Professional Refinishing Involves
Professional cabinet refinishing is dramatically different from a simple paint job. At Kings Custom Finishes, our four-day transformation process has been refined through hundreds of successful projects throughout Spokane, Liberty Lake, and Post Falls.
Day 1: We create a contained workspace, thoroughly clean and degrease all surfaces, and remove doors and drawers (carefully labeled for precise reinstallation). Cabinet frames undergo intensive preparation, including sanding, to create the perfect bonding surface.
Day 2: We apply specialized bonding primers specifically formulated for kitchen environments and begin the first coats of premium finishes on frames.
Day 3: Doors and drawers receive multiple coats of premium finishes in our controlled spray environment while frame finishing continues on-site.
Day 4: We carefully reinstall all components, making precise adjustments to ensure perfect alignment and function.
This methodical approach, combined with premium Sherwin-Williams Gallery and Renner lacquer finishes, creates results nearly indistinguishable from new factory cabinets. The same expertise that makes us specialists in interior house painting extends to these cabinet transformations, with techniques explicitly refined for kitchen environments.
Dramatic Cost Differences
The financial contrast between refinishing and replacement is striking. Professional cabinet refinishing in the Inland Northwest typically ranges from $3,000-$6,000 for an average kitchen, representing savings of 70-80% compared to replacement.
Where do these dramatic cost differences come from? Primarily from:
- Preserving existing cabinet boxes (typically the most substantial portion of cabinetry costs)
- Eliminating demolition and disposal expenses
- Avoiding associated renovations like countertop replacement
- Reducing labor hours significantly
Regarding durability, professional refinishing with premium products isn’t a temporary solution. Sherwin-Williams technical specifications document that their cabinet-specific finishes demonstrate exceptional hardness, with resistance to household chemicals, food stains, and repeated cleaning—similar to factory finishes on new cabinetry.
Common Concerns About Cabinet Refinishing Addressed
Durability Questions
The most frequent question Coeur d’Alene homeowners ask about refinishing concerns durability. Will these finishes stand up to daily use in a busy kitchen?
Professional spray application creates a crucial difference here. Unlike brush or roller application, professional spray equipment applies multiple thin, even coats that cure to form a seamless, factory-like finish. This application method and cabinet-specific coatings create surfaces that resist moisture, food stains, and repeated cleaning.
Maintenance is straightforward—regular cleaning with mild soap and water is typically required. Unlike some DIY finishes that can feel tacky or soft over time, professionally applied cabinet finishes cure to form complex, smooth surfaces that clean easily without special products.
Customization Possibilities
Modern refinishing offers extensive customization options. Beyond the noticeable color changes, possibilities include:
- Transitioning to contemporary color schemes (white uppers with contrasting lowers, currently trending in Spokane homes)
- Adding decorative glazes for dimension and character
- Incorporating distressed or antiqued techniques for rustic appeal
- Updating to modern matte finishes or high-gloss contemporary looks
Hardware upgrades dramatically enhance the transformation. Many Inland Northwest homeowners update dated knobs with contemporary handles, soft-close hinges, and glide mechanisms during refinishing projects.
Even modest modifications are possible with existing cabinets. Common additions include:
- Wine racks or glass-front display sections
- Built-in spice storage or trash pull-outs
- Crown molding or decorative end panels
Beyond Cost: Additional Benefits of Refinishing
Environmental Impact
The environmental benefits of cabinet refinishing are substantial. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, construction and demolition debris constitutes approximately 600 million tons of waste annually in the United States, with cabinetry and wood products representing a significant portion.
By preserving existing cabinet boxes, refinishing:
- Keeps approximately 700-900 pounds of material out of landfills per kitchen
- Eliminates the environmental impact of manufacturing new cabinets
- Reduces transportation emissions associated with delivering new cabinetry
- Minimizes the use of new wood resources
This sustainable approach resonates with many Liberty Lake and Post Falls homeowners who value environmental responsibility alongside financial savings.
Convenience Factors
The lifestyle impact during renovation deserves serious consideration. Cabinet refinishing projects typically take 4-5 days, compared to the weeks or months required for complete replacement. Throughout most of the process, homeowners maintain functional kitchens with minimal disruption.
Proper containment systems used during professional refinishing minimize dust and odors throughout the home. Compare this to full replacements, which often leave homes with non-functional kitchens for extended periods and can affect adjacent areas with construction dust and debris.
When Replacement Might Still Be The Better Option
Despite the advantages of refinishing, some situations warrant replacement:
- Cabinets with significant structural damage or water damage that has compromised the integrity of the boxes
- Extremely old cabinets with functional issues like sagging shelves or failing drawer tracks that cannot be adequately repaired
- Kitchens where the layout is dysfunctional and requires significant reconfiguration
- Very low-quality builder-grade cabinets with particleboard construction that has deteriorated
In these cases, the long-term benefits of replacement may outweigh the immediate cost savings of refinishing. Our consultations always include honest assessments of whether refinishing suits your situation.
Return on Investment Analysis
ROI Comparison
According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, minor kitchen remodels (including cabinet updates without replacement) recoup approximately 72.2% of their costs in the Pacific Northwest market, compared to just 54.8% for major remodels involving complete cabinet replacement.
Spokane real estate professionals consistently report that updated kitchens sell homes faster and at better prices. Still, the increased value rarely justifies the full expense of high-end replacements from a purely financial perspective.
“Updated cabinets make a tremendous difference in marketability,” explains Jennifer Markham, a Spokane real estate agent with 15 years of experience. “But savvy homeowners recognize that professional refinishing delivers 90% of the visual impact at 20-30% of the cost.”
Case Study: Liberty Lake Home
A recent Liberty Lake project perfectly illustrates the value proposition. The homeowners received a $27,500 quote for semi-custom cabinet replacement. Our professional refinishing transformed their dated oak cabinets to a modern white upper/gray lower design with new hardware for $4,850—saving over $22,000 while delivering a stunning result.
“The transformation is incredible,” homeowner Michael Peterson shared. “We were prepared to replace everything until we learned about professional refinishing. The quality is indistinguishable from new cabinets, but we saved enough also to update our flooring and still take a vacation.”
The King’s Custom Finishes Approach to Cabinet Transformation
While many painting contractors offer cabinet painting as a side service, Kings Custom Finishes has developed specialized expertise specific to kitchen transformations. This focused experience—distinct from our exterior house painting, interior commercial painting, and exterior commercial painting services—allows us to deliver superior results for cabinet projects.
Our four-day process incorporates techniques refined through hundreds of successful transformations throughout Spokane Valley, Coeur d’Alene, and surrounding communities. The controlled spray environment we create for doors and drawers allows for factory-quality finishes that brush or roller application cannot achieve.
We exclusively use premium cabinet-specific products—primarily Sherwin-Williams Gallery and Renner Italian lacquers for high-end projects. These specialized coatings create more complex, durable surfaces that resist moisture, food stains, and cleaning products. The difference in durability between these professional products and general-purpose paints is substantial, especially in demanding kitchen environments.
Our cabinet refinishing carries a specialized warranty covering adhesion, hardness, and yellowing, providing peace of mind and significant savings.
Conclusion
The financial case for professional cabinet refinishing is compelling. With savings of 70-80% compared to replacement, Inland Northwest homeowners can achieve stunning kitchen transformations while preserving funds for other priorities or investments.
Beyond the dramatic cost difference, refinishing offers environmental benefits, minimal lifestyle disruption, and exceptional return on investment. When performed by experienced professionals using premium products, the results deliver the visual impact of new cabinetry with durability to match.
If your Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, or Post Falls home features structurally sound but outdated cabinetry, professional refinishing likely represents the smartest investment for immediate enjoyment and long-term value.
Kings Custom Finishes offers free cabinet assessments throughout the Inland Northwest. Our detailed evaluation helps you understand whether refinishing is appropriate for your situation and provides a clear picture of the potential transformation. Contact us today to learn how we’ve helped hundreds of local homeowners achieve magazine-worthy kitchens without the replacement price tag.
