Commercial wood restoration cost varies dramatically by scope — from single-door refinishing on a historic entry to whole-lobby millwork restoration in a luxury hotel. This guide breaks down 2026 pricing ranges for commercial wood work in the DC metro area.
Rose Restoration provides free on-site assessments for wood restoration throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Request one or call (703) 327-7676.
Commercial Wood Restoration Cost Ranges (2026)
| Scope | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single wood door refinishing | $400 – $1,200 | Strip, sand, stain, lacquer |
| Wood paneling wall refinishing | $8 – $25 / SF | Depends on stain, lacquer coats, and condition |
| Bar top refinishing | $50 – $150 / LF | Per linear foot; includes strip, sand, fill, stain, seal |
| Executive desk / table refinishing | $800 – $3,500 | Depends on size and custom finish requirements |
| Custom millwork restoration | $15 – $50 / SF | Trim, moldings, built-ins |
| Hotel lobby wood package | $15,000 – $75,000+ | Multi-surface hospitality scope |
| Historic wood (preservation-grade) | $25 – $80 / SF | Period-appropriate methods, documentation |
These are ranges. Your surface is specific.
Send photos and we will price your actual square footage, condition, and access. Most estimates go out the same day.
What Drives Commercial Wood Restoration Cost
1. Type and Condition of Wood
Softwoods (pine, fir) refinish faster and cheaper than hardwoods (oak, walnut, mahogany, cherry). Heavily damaged wood (deep gouges, water damage, failed previous finishes) takes longer to prepare than lightly worn wood.
2. Target Finish
Simple re-clear-coat: cheapest. Matching an existing stain color: moderate (requires sample matching). Full strip-and-restain to a new color: expensive (layers of stripping, color testing, multiple coats). Hand-rubbed French polish and specialty finishes: most expensive.
3. Scope and Scale
Single-door or single-surface work carries much the same crew mobilisation as a large scope, so it costs more per surface. Large projects (full lobby, whole boardroom, extensive millwork) scale economically per SF or per LF, which is why grouping a building’s wood work into one visit is materially cheaper than calling it in one surface at a time.
4. On-Site vs Off-Site
Some wood elements (doors, loose panels, removable furniture) can be restored off-site in our shop with better environmental controls. Fixed architectural elements (built-ins, paneling, stair treads) must be restored in place. Off-site work is often cheaper because of better workflow efficiency.
5. Access and Operational Constraints
Overnight work, weekend scheduling, security protocols, and tenant coordination all add cost. Hotel and restaurant work almost always requires off-hours scheduling.
6. Historic Preservation Requirements
Buildings on the National Register or in historic districts require preservation-grade methodology: period-appropriate finishes, documentation, and sometimes preservation-office coordination. This adds 30-50% to standard pricing but is essential for listed buildings.
7. Coatings System
Standard lacquer finish is baseline. Oil-based polyurethane, water-based polyurethane, conversion varnish, hand-rubbed oil, and specialty coatings all have different costs and performance. Commercial-grade clear coat runs $1-3/SF extra.
Commercial Wood Projects We Commonly Quote
- Hotel lobby wood packages. Reception desks, paneling, bar tops, elevator surrounds, and architectural wood. $15,000–$75,000+ depending on scope.
- Corporate boardroom refinishing. Conference tables, paneling, built-ins. $5,000–$25,000 per room.
- Historic interior restoration. Preservation-grade work on listed buildings. Project-specific; typically $25–$80 per SF.
- Restaurant bar and booth refinishing. High-wear surfaces needing periodic refinishing. $5,000–$20,000 per restaurant.
- Building entry door restoration. Ornate historic wood entry doors. $500–$2,500 per door.
- Elevator interior wood. Paneling, handrails, and trim. $2,000–$8,000 per cab.
- Millwork repair and refinishing. Trim, moldings, coffered ceilings, and architectural millwork. $15–$50 per SF.
Wood Restoration FAQ
Can heavily damaged wood be restored?
Almost always yes. Water damage, deep gouges, burn marks, and failed finishes all have restoration paths. The only cases where replacement is necessary: structural rot, pest damage through the wood thickness, or unrepairable split grain.
Do you work in historic buildings?
Yes — extensively. Our preservation-grade wood work follows Secretary of the Interior Standards, uses period-appropriate finishes, and coordinates with preservation offices where required.
How long does commercial wood refinishing take?
Single door or single piece: 2–3 days including drying time. Full hotel lobby or boardroom: 1–2 weeks typically. Historic preservation-grade work: often several weeks due to methodology requirements.
Can you match an existing stain?
Yes. We produce color-matched stain samples on the same wood species before committing to any visible surface. For older buildings, we sometimes match to original drawings or surviving original samples.
Do you offer free commercial wood restoration estimates?
Yes — free on-site assessments for commercial wood restoration throughout DC, MD, and VA.
Related Cost Guides
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Related Services
- Commercial Wood Restoration Services
- Residential Wood Restoration
- Metal Polishing & Restoration
- Historic Building Restoration
- Hotel & Hospitality Restoration
Ready to Restore Commercial Wood?
Request a Free Assessment → | Call: (703) 327-7676
Before and after: wood cabinetry
What drives wood restoration cost
Wood restoration almost always costs less than replacement, because the original doors, paneling, or furniture stay in place and only the finish and any damage are addressed. If you are budgeting a project, here is what actually drives wood restoration cost in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia market.
What Drives the Price
Cost depends on the piece, its condition, the finish, and whether the work happens on site or in our shop. A single scratched door is inexpensive; a paneled lobby or a water-damaged antique is a larger project. The main variables are square footage or piece count, the severity of damage, and how much repair precedes refinishing.
By Project Type
- Wood doors: per-door pricing that drops sharply on multi-door commercial work.
- Paneling and millwork: priced by area and finish, refinished on site.
- Antique and fine furniture: priced per piece by condition and conservation needs.
Restoration vs Replacement
Replacing solid wood doors, custom millwork, or quality furniture is expensive and often discards irreplaceable material. Refinishing restores a rich, even finish for a fraction of the cost, and most of it happens in place with dust containment so your space stays usable.
Get an Exact Number
We quote from photos rather than guessing on the phone. Learn more about our wood restoration across the DC metro, then send a few photos for a written estimate. Rose Restoration, restoring wood since 1978.
