Our Chooz Score evaluates 44 factors across reviews, digital presence, and business credentials. Here's what stands out for Shabby Brown Restore
Crystal Wood founded Shabby Brown Restore and handles every initial consultation personally, walking homeowners through color selection, process steps, and material samples before any work begins. Jessica leads the on-site crew managing the two-day spray process while ensuring every surface is protected. Tami handles sanding preparation and hardware installation, while Michaela and Cheryl manage shop-based door and drawer refinishing.
The all-women team specializes in kitchen cabinet refinishing using industrial coatings sprayed to a factory-smooth finish. Projects include complete kitchen transformations, bathroom vanity refinishing, furniture restoration, new door profile replacement through 14 available profiles, and countertop coordination through a partner stone fabricator. The company's stated goal is for no one to know the cabinets were refinished rather than replaced.
The fully insured team operates from their Schenectady shop and provides a guarantee on all labor, with payment collected only when the finished work meets complete customer satisfaction. Shabby Brown Restore serves Schenectady, Albany, Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Latham, Troy, Colonie, and surrounding Capital Region communities.
Doors and drawer fronts go to the shop about a week before the on-site appointment, leaving the kitchen fully usable throughout. Day one involves tenting off the space, sanding, and beginning the spray application. Day two finishes the final coat and rehangs everything. Ben Boyle describes the result as "what feels and looks like new cabinets" achieved while being "without our kitchen for essentially a day."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Cost comparisons come up repeatedly in reviews from customers who researched alternatives before calling. Garage Floor Guys estimates the work came to "about 25% of the cost of new cabinets." Paula Rice describes it as "half the cost of new cabinets" for a full kitchen. Francine Fredette notes the project was completed "at a fraction of what new cabinetry would cost," and Nancy Griggs credits Shabby Brown Restore with saving her renovation entirely when replacement estimates were out of budget.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Doors and drawer fronts are refinished with industrial coatings in the shop before the on-site appointment, arriving ready to hang. The spray process and industrial-grade products produce a surface that surprises customers used to brush-applied results. David Lawrence notes the finish "is better than the factory finish." Multiple reviewers report that neighbors and visitors assume the cabinets are brand new replacements, which aligns with what Shabby Brown Restore states as their goal on their services page.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Cleanliness is one of the most consistently mentioned themes across independent reviews. Caitlin Dougher notes the team "left the space cleaner than they found it." Debbie MacAvoy confirms "there was absolutely no mess when they finished." Kelly Deitz praises how the crew "kept the area extremely clean the entire time." The tenting-off process used during spraying serves double duty as both a quality measure and a containment system for overspray.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The women-owned-and-operated structure earns specific praise in reviews, with customers noting it as a meaningful differentiator. Kayla Murdie calls out "this women-owned and operated team," saying the pride "truly shows in their work." Donna Neal says the crew "worked harder than most men" and found it "so easy dealing with an all girl business." Several reviewers note the team's energy and personal investment in results as qualities that set the experience apart from other contractors they had worked with.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Jessica serves as the primary on-site crew leader and is named in numerous independent reviews. Sara Castiglia praises her energy, noting "she really loves her job and takes pride in it." Stefania Camelo specifically credits Jessica for "being meticulous" in ensuring the finish looked right before the job was complete. Diana-Andra Borca-Tasciuc on Facebook names Crystal, Jessica, and Tami as "the dream team," a sentiment echoed across multiple reviews from unrelated customers.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Facebook
Communication receives consistent praise and comes up with specific details rather than generic mentions. Cathy Campchero describes nightly updates, noting "each night I got an update from Crystal about that day's work and a synopsis of what the next day would bring." Kim Carr says Crystal "responded to every question right away." Amanda Faith on Facebook calls the team "incredibly professional," confirming they "gave us everything they promised and more."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Facebook
Repeat business is a documented pattern rather than an occasional mention. Jeff Pitkin completed his third project with Shabby Brown Restore, noting the team "keep to schedule, and the quality of the work is very high." Joane Mastroianni returned after her kitchen to have the bathrooms done. Bridget Graber confirms "I have used Crystal and her team for many projects," and Angelica Stone says simply "we have used her twice." Christina Feldman describes working together on several projects over the course of their relationship.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews