Refinishing appliances can refresh their appearance without the expense of buying new ones. Here's a breakdown of typical costs, considerations, and options:

Costs by Appliance

| Appliance | Average Cost | Details |
|-------------------|-----------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Refrigerator | $150–$300 | Requires 8–12 cans of spray paint. |
| Oven | $150–$300 | Needs high-heat paint (~5–6 cans). |
| Washer | $150–$250 | ~4–5 cans of appliance spray paint. |
| Dryer | $200–$300 | High-heat paint adds to the cost. |

• Average Cost Across Appliances: $350 for materials, paint, and labor.
• Typical Paint Needs: $5–$10 per can, depending on paint type.

Costs by Paint Type

| Paint Type | Cost per Can | Notes |
|-------------------------|------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Epoxy Paint | $5–$7 | Standard for general appliance refinishing. |
| High-Heat Paint | $10 | Ideal for appliances that reach up to 1,000°F (e.g., ovens, dryers). |
| Electrostatic Paint | ~$300 | Includes materials and labor, offering a smooth, waste-free finish. |

Labor Costs

• Hourly Rate: $40–$70 per hour.
• Time Estimate: Typically 3+ hours, depending on prep and refinishing requirements.

Factors That Affect Costs

• Appliance Size

• Larger appliances (e.g., side-by-side refrigerators) require more paint and labor.

• Paint Type

• High-heat or specialty paints increase material costs.

• Prep Work

• Sanding, cleaning, and protecting surrounding areas may add time and expense.

• Location or Moving Fees

• Appliances usually stay in place, but relocation within the home might incur extra costs.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

| Option | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|----------------------|---------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| DIY | $30–$100 | Lower upfront costs, creative control. | Risk of uneven finish or paint drips. |
| Hiring a Pro | $150–$700 | Professional, smooth finish, faster. | Higher initial investment. |

Tips to Save on Refinishing

• Choose DIY for Smaller Projects

• Small touch-ups or less-visible appliances may be ideal for DIY.

• Buy Paint in Bulk

• For multiple appliances, buy enough paint in one purchase to reduce costs.

• Request Multiple Quotes

• Get quotes from local specialists to compare pricing and services.

• Maintain Appliances

• Clean and handle appliances carefully to prolong their original finish.

Refinishing is a cost-effective way to update appliances, achieve a unique look, or extend their lifespan. Whether you go DIY or hire a pro, this guide can help you plan your appliance transformation.

Next: Read 2500+ consumer guides to shopping, electronics, appliances, home services, cars, money and more.

❤ If you liked all this, consider supporting us by checking out SkillThing DOING Manuals