Lemke Custom Wood Finishing in Oklahoma City: High-End Cabinet and Furniture Refinishing

Lemke Custom Wood Finishing is a single-operator wood refinishing business in Oklahoma City that specializes in stripping, staining, and finishing cabinets, furniture, and architectural woodwork to custom specifications. The shop handles both residential kitchen cabinet overhauls and one-off antique or heirloom pieces, operating at a scale where the owner manages every project personally rather than routing work through a larger crew.

What Lemke Custom Wood Finishing actually does

This is not a general house painter. Lemke focuses exclusively on wood surfaces where finish quality, color matching, and durability matter most. The work includes kitchen cabinet refinishing (a major revenue driver in Oklahoma City's older neighborhoods), stripping and restaining furniture, and finishing custom built-ins or architectural trim. The business does not handle exterior house painting, drywall, or staining of new construction lumber. Projects are tackled one at a time, which means lead times can extend into weeks depending on the current queue.

Services and pricing

Cabinet refinishing typically costs between $3,500 and $8,000 for a full kitchen, depending on the number of doors and drawers, the condition of the existing finish, and whether hardware is replaced. A partial kitchen (10 to 15 pieces) runs $1,500 to $3,500. Furniture refinishing is priced by the piece and scope: a dining chair or small table usually falls between $300 and $800, while a six-piece dining set can reach $2,000 to $4,000. Custom stain matching and multiple topcoat applications increase the price. Verify current pricing directly, as material costs fluctuate seasonably and complex color work may command a premium.

The process includes surface preparation (stripping old finish if needed, sanding, grain filling for open-grain woods), stain application (custom colors available), and topcoat selection (polyurethane, conversion varnish, or other finishes chosen for durability and sheen). Turnaround is typically 3 to 4 weeks for cabinet jobs and 1 to 2 weeks for smaller pieces, though this shifts with the workload.

How Lemke compares to other Oklahoma City options

Oklahoma City has two main alternatives for cabinet refinishing: larger kitchen remodeling firms that subcontract finishing as one task within a full renovation, and smaller independent finishers or furniture strippers who may handle volume more quickly but with less customization. Kitchen remodelers like those operating through the greater OKC metro area often charge a higher overall markup because finishing is bundled into a larger contract; they suit homeowners doing a complete overhaul who want one point of contact. Independent strippers sometimes advertise faster turnaround and lower per-piece costs, which works if you prioritize speed over finish complexity. Lemke's positioning sits between: prices are higher than a strip-and-stain shop but lower than a full kitchen redesign firm, and the tradeoff is personalized color and finish matching with a longer wait.

Who this suits and who it does not

Lemke is the right choice if you own vintage or heirloom furniture that needs refinishing without alteration, if your kitchen cabinets are structurally sound but the finish is worn or dated, or if you need stain color custom-matched to another wood element in your home. It suits homeowners who value finish durability and appearance over speed. It is not a fit for someone needing a 2-week turnaround on 30 cabinet doors, or for projects where the wood itself requires replacement or structural repair. Likewise, if you are planning a full kitchen gut and renovation, a general remodeler may be more efficient.

What the first visit involves

Contact the shop to discuss the project scope and send photos if possible. A site visit typically follows, where the owner assesses surface condition, discusses stain color options (bringing wood samples to match is helpful), and provides a written estimate. Once agreed, the job is scheduled into the queue. For cabinet work, you may be asked whether hardware stays or gets replaced and whether doors come off-site for finishing or are done in place. Communication happens directly with the owner throughout.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Lemke operates from a small shop location accessible by appointment only. Street parking or lot parking is typically available depending on the address. Since this is a personal business with one operator, hours are flexible; confirm availability and scheduling by phone before visiting. For cabinet jobs, you will coordinate drop-off of doors and drawers or arrange for on-site work. Smaller pieces are brought to the shop.

Lemke Custom Wood Finishing fills a specific niche in Oklahoma City's home services market: owners with quality wood pieces or aging kitchen cabinets trust it because the work is personalized and the finish is built to last, not rushed.