Choosing a Cabinet Refinisher in Indianapolis: The Complete Guide

What to Look For in a Cabinet Refinisher

Experience and Specialization

**Cabinet-Specific Experience** Look for refinishers who specialize in cabinets, not general painters who occasionally do cabinets. Cabinet refinishing requires: - Specific prep techniques - Knowledge of cabinet materials - Specialized spray equipment - Understanding of kitchen environments

**Portfolio of Work** Request to see recent projects similar to yours: - Same cabinet material (oak, maple, etc.) - Similar finish type (painted, stained) - Comparable kitchen size - Before and after photos

Proper Licensing and Insurance

**In Indiana, verify:** - Business license - General liability insurance ($1M minimum) - Workers' compensation (if employees) - Vehicle insurance for crews

**Why It Matters** If an uninsured contractor damages your property or gets injured, you could be liable. Always request certificates of insurance.

Professional Process

Quality refinishers have a defined process: 1. In-home consultation and estimate 2. Written proposal with detailed scope 3. Proper surface preparation 4. Professional-grade products 5. Quality control inspection 6. Warranty on workmanship

Questions to Ask Potential Refinishers

About Their Process

1. "How do you prepare cabinet surfaces before painting?" - Look for: cleaning, deglossing, sanding, priming - Red flag: "We just paint right over the existing finish"

2. "Do you spray or brush/roll the finish?" - Best answer: HVLP spray application - Acceptable: High-quality brush/roll for small jobs

3. "What products do you use?" - Look for: Name brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams - They should be able to explain why they chose those products

4. "How do you handle oak grain filling?" - Critical if you have oak cabinets - They should mention grain filler products by name

About Logistics

5. "Where do you paint the cabinet doors?" - Best: Off-site spray facility - Acceptable: On-site spray containment - Concerning: In your driveway or garage

6. "How long will the project take?" - Typical: 4-7 days for average kitchen - Be wary of "one day" claims

7. "Will I be able to use my kitchen during the project?" - Partial use is normal - They should explain the timeline clearly

About Business Practices

8. "How long have you been refinishing cabinets?" - Look for: 5+ years experience - Ask specifically about cabinets, not general painting

9. "Can you provide references from recent projects?" - They should readily provide 3-5 references - Actually call them!

10. "What warranty do you offer?" - Standard: 1-5 years on workmanship - Get it in writing

Red Flags to Avoid

Pricing Red Flags

| Red Flag | Why It's Concerning | |----------|---------------------| | Quote without seeing cabinets | Can't accurately price without inspection | | Much lower than other quotes | Cutting corners somewhere | | Large deposit required (>50%) | Cash flow problems | | Cash-only, no contract | No paper trail, no recourse |

Process Red Flags

- **No mention of prep work**: Prep is 80% of a quality job - **"We'll paint everything in one day"**: Proper refinishing takes time - **No portfolio or references**: What are they hiding? - **Pressure to decide immediately**: Professional contractors don't use high-pressure tactics

Communication Red Flags

- Slow to return calls or emails - Vague answers to specific questions - Won't provide written proposal - Defensive about questions

Comparing Quotes

What Should Be Included

A professional quote should itemize: - Number of doors/drawers - Prep work described - Products to be used - Timeline - Payment schedule - Warranty terms

Apples-to-Apples Comparison

| Factor | Contractor A | Contractor B | Contractor C | |--------|--------------|--------------|--------------| | Price | $5,500 | $4,200 | $6,800 | | Spray or Brush | Spray | Brush | Spray | | Grain Fill Included | Yes | No | Yes | | Off-site Work | Yes | No | Yes | | Warranty | 5 years | 1 year | 5 years | | Reviews | 4.9/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.8/5 |

In this example, Contractor B's lower price makes sense—they're offering less. The choice is really between A and C based on your priorities.

Don't Just Choose the Cheapest

The difference between the cheapest and mid-range quote is often just a few hundred dollars—but the difference in quality can be enormous. Remember: - You'll live with these cabinets for 10+ years - Poor refinishing can damage cabinets - Fixing bad work costs more than doing it right initially

Indianapolis Area Options

Questions for Local Refinishers

When interviewing Indianapolis-area cabinet refinishers, ask: - "Do you have experience with homes in [your neighborhood]?" - "Are you familiar with the cabinet styles common in [1990s, 2000s, etc.] Indianapolis homes?" - "Can you show me a completed project near me?"

Local Considerations

- **Oak cabinets are very common**: Make sure they have extensive oak experience - **Weather matters**: Indoor spray facilities are important for year-round quality - **Referrals are valuable**: Ask neighbors, Nextdoor, local Facebook groups

Why Choose CabinetPro

We've refined our process over thousands of Indianapolis-area kitchen transformations: - 15+ years serving Central Indiana - Dedicated spray facility in Indianapolis - Extensive oak cabinet experience - 5-year warranty on all work - Hundreds of 5-star reviews - Licensed and fully insured