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Refinish or Replace Calculator

Weigh DIY refinishing supplies and hours against a pro quote and replacement price — the honest math for whether a piece is worth saving.

Refinish or Replace Calculator
Weigh DIY refinishing supplies and hours against a pro quote and replacement price — the honest math for whether a piece is worth saving.

Your Results

DIY all-in cost: $350 (supplies + your time)

• Refinish it yourself and you keep $850 vs buying new

• Hire a pro and you keep $750 vs buying new

If the piece is solid wood with sound joints, refinishing usually wins. If it's veneer over particleboard or the savings are thin, put the money toward a piece worth keeping. Estimates are illustrative, not quotes.