The gap most piano owners fall into
When a piano's finish is scratched, clouded or worn through, owners usually get quoted for a full restoration — new strings, pinblock, soundboard, action rebuild — running well into five figures. That is the right job for an instrument that no longer plays. It is entirely the wrong job for a piano that plays perfectly and simply looks tired.
We do the other half. A cabinet-only refinish restores the instrument's appearance without touching what is working. It is a fraction of the cost of a full rebuild, and for most families it is the difference between keeping the piano and giving it away.
What a cabinet refinish involves
- Disassembly. The lid, fallboard, legs, lyre, music desk and hardware come off. Strings, plate and action stay protected and untouched.
- Stripping. Old lacquer or polyester is removed carefully — veneer on a piano case is thin, and aggressive sanding is how amateurs ruin instruments.
- Repair. Veneer lifts, chips, split edges, water rings, dents and loose joints are made good before any colour goes on.
- Colour. Ebony, mahogany, walnut or a custom match, sprayed in even coats.
- Finish. Satin or high-gloss, rubbed out by hand. The difference between a good refinish and a great one is entirely in the rub-out.
- Reassembly with polished or replated hardware.
Typical investment
| Instrument | Typical range | Time in the shop |
|---|---|---|
| Upright / spinet / console — cabinet refinish | $1,500 – $4,500 | 3 – 5 weeks |
| Baby grand — case and legs | $3,500 – $7,500 | 4 – 7 weeks |
| Grand / concert grand — full case | $5,000 – $10,000+ | 6 – 10 weeks |
| Partial work (legs, lid, bench, touch-up) | $300 – $1,500 | 1 – 2 weeks |
We work with technicians, tuners and dealers
If you tune, rebuild or sell pianos, we are the finish department you do not have to build. You keep the customer and the technical work; we take the case, quote from photographs, and return it ready to hand over. Dealers use us on trade-ins and consignment instruments that need cosmetic work before they will sell.
Call (973) 876-6136 or send photographs on WhatsApp and we will come back with a written figure.
The Steinway
Not many small workshops are handed a Steinway & Sons grand. This one arrived scratched and dull and left with the deep satin ebony the instrument deserved — stripped, repaired and refinished entirely by hand by Reyman Quiros. It is the piece of work we would want you to judge us on.
Common questions
Do you rebuild the action, restring or replace the soundboard?
No. We are cabinet and finish specialists. We refinish the case, legs, lid, fallboard and bench, and we work alongside piano technicians who handle the strings, pinblock, soundboard and action. If your piano needs both, we are happy to coordinate with your technician.
How much does it cost to refinish a piano in New Jersey?
In our experience a cabinet-only refinish runs roughly $1,500 to $4,500 for an upright and $3,500 to $10,000 for a baby grand or grand, depending on the finish type and how much veneer repair is needed. Full structural rebuilds cost considerably more and are a different job. We give a firm written price after inspecting the instrument.
Can you match the original colour?
Yes. We colour match to the existing finish, to a sample you provide, or to another piece of furniture in the room. Ebony, mahogany, walnut and custom tones are all routine.
How long will my piano be away?
Between three and ten weeks depending on the instrument and the finish. High-gloss work takes longer than satin because the rub-out is slower.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes. Juan Carlos and Reyman are Costa Rican craftsmen and the whole shop works in both English and Spanish. Hablamos español.
Send us a photo of your piano
Three photographs — the whole instrument, the worst damage, and the legs — are usually enough for us to give you a range the same day.