One of the first questions people have when considering furniture restoration is simple:
How much is this going to cost?
Unfortunately, there isn’t one price that accurately applies to every piece of furniture. The Furniture Restoration Cost in Massachusetts can vary significantly depending on the condition, size, construction, repairs and finishing work required.
A small end table with a deteriorated finish requires very different work than an eight-chair dining set, a damaged Mid-Century Modern credenza or a large outdoor teak set.
Understanding what goes into the cost can help you decide whether professional restoration makes sense for your furniture.
What Determines the Cost of Furniture Restoration?
The biggest factor is usually the amount of skilled labor required.
Furniture restoration is a hands-on process. Depending on the piece, the work can include stripping, cleaning, sanding, repairing veneer, repairing joints, correcting damaged areas, matching colors and applying multiple finish coats.
A piece with complicated construction can also take considerably longer than a simple piece of similar size. These factors all influence the overall cost of restoration.
Condition Makes a Big Difference
Two identical dining tables can require very different amounts of work.
One may simply have a deteriorated finish.
Another may have water damage, deep scratches, damaged veneer, loose joints and previous repairs that need to be corrected before refinishing can even begin.
This is why we evaluate the condition of the actual furniture rather than relying solely on its dimensions. The condition of the piece is one of the most important factors when determining furniture restoration pricing.
Size and Complexity Matter
Larger furniture generally requires more materials and labor, but size isn’t the only consideration.
Dining chairs are a good example.
A chair may be much smaller than a dining table, but its legs, stretchers, curves, corners and multiple surfaces can make preparation and refinishing surprisingly labor intensive.
A set of six or eight chairs represents a substantial amount of detailed work.
Repairs Add to the Scope
Structural and cosmetic repairs are another important factor when determining the cost of a restoration project.
A restoration may require:
- Veneer repair or replacement
- Loose-joint repairs
- Water-damage repair
- Scratch and stain removal
- Filling damaged areas
- Color correction
- Repairing previous refinishing attempts
We identify these issues when evaluating the project so you have a better understanding of the work involved and what may contribute to the final estimate.
Materials and Finishes
Professional restoration also requires more than sandpaper and a can of stain.
Depending on the project, materials can include stripping and cleaning products, abrasives, repair materials, stains, dyes, sealers and professional protective finishes.
Using the appropriate finishing system is an important part of creating a result designed to last.
Is Furniture Restoration Worth the Cost?
That depends on why the furniture matters to you.
For some clients, the piece is a family heirloom with sentimental value that can’t be replaced.
Others own vintage or Mid-Century Modern furniture that would be difficult or expensive to replace with something of comparable construction and character.
And sometimes a client simply loves a particular dining table, dresser or bedroom set and wants to continue using it.
The comparison shouldn’t always be between restoration and inexpensive new furniture. A better comparison is often the cost of restoration versus purchasing a new piece of comparable quality.
Why We Provide Individual Estimates
Rather than using a one-price-fits-all approach, Restoration Renew Refresh evaluates each project individually.
Photos allow us to see the overall design, construction and visible damage and help us determine the likely scope of work.
For larger or more complicated projects, additional information may be needed before the final scope is determined.
This personalized approach helps ensure that your estimate reflects the actual work your furniture needs rather than relying on a generic price range.
Request a Furniture Restoration Estimate
Restoration Renew Refresh is located in Danvers, Massachusetts and provides professional furniture restoration and refinishing throughout the North Shore, Greater Boston and surrounding communities.
If you’re researching Furniture Restoration Cost in Massachusetts and wondering what it would cost to restore your furniture, send us clear photos of the entire piece along with close-up photographs of any damaged areas.
We’ll evaluate the project and provide an estimate based on the work your furniture actually needs.
