How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets? All Solved

One of the best ways to quickly improve the appearance and ambiance of a space where you probably spend a lot of time is by updating your kitchen cabinets. So, how much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?

The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets is around $750, ranging from $400 on the low end to $1,250 on the high end. Keep reading.

Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

The total cost to paint your kitchen cabinets will vary depending on the size of your kitchen and the exact services you need to complete the makeover.

By Size of Kitchen

The cost to paint kitchen cabinets in your home will depend on the size of your kitchen, usually anywhere from $3 to $10 per square foot. Your kitchen project will cost more the more cabinets you have. Larger kitchens require more work to complete, more paint, and more preparation.

By Service

The process of painting kitchen cabinets involves multiple services: cabinet surface prep, dismantling and reassembling cabinets, relocating appliances, priming and painting cabinet surfaces, etc. For your specific project, you might not need all of these services, in which case you could save some money.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets? All Solved

Kitchen Cabinet Painting Cost Breakdown

Your project budget for painting kitchen cabinets will include a number of different materials and tools. The cost of the paint is typically the biggest expense other than labor, but other necessary supplies can add up.

Paint

Depending on the type you choose, paint prices can vary greatly. Particularly with different finishes, each gallon can cost a few dollars more. Flat finishes, for instance, average $27 to $40 per gallon, while high-gloss paint can range from $30 to $120.

For heavily trafficked areas like kitchen cabinets, high-gloss and semi-gloss paints are typically advised over flat paints despite being more expensive. Glossy paints are easier to clean with soap and water and are more likely to repel stains and humidity. Flat paints do a better job at covering up existing inconsistencies in walls but will show damage over time.

Labor

Your price will be calculated by the hour or by the linear foot by experienced interior painters. According to HomeAdvisor, hourly prices to paint cabinets range from $20 to $50 per hour or $30 to $60 per linear foot. Your expert may combine the two fee structures to come up with a base price if the job necessitates extensive prep work, such as fixing cabinet surfaces, moving appliances, or replacing hardware.

Stripping, Sanding, and Deglossing

Sandpaper in the grits of 80, 150, and 220 should be used with either a hand sander or a power sander to remove any existing paint or varnish. Sandpaper typically costs between $5 and $10 per pack.Alternatively, you can use a chemical stripping agent; your local hardware or home improvement store most likely carries a large selection, priced anywhere from $7 to $50.

Equipment

You might already have the necessary tools on hand, depending on which painting technique you prefer. You can pick up a paint roller and set of covers for about $20 or a set of three paint brushes of different sizes for $10 to $20. If you’d prefer a spray paint method, you’ll need to purchase a sprayer, which can cost $200 to $400, or rent one for about $100 per day.

Other Recommended Materials

Prior to painting or repainting your cabinets, it is best to have any necessary repairs made. On average, repairing kitchen cabinets costs $300.

Additionally, you’ll need to have all the necessary supplies ready to keep the rest of your kitchen splatter-free and get the job done safely (see the items in the table below).

Material	Cost
Masks	$10 – $35, depending on type
Tarps or drop cloths	$25 – $50
Protective tape for glass edges and hardware on doors (be sure to get painter’s tape made for delicate surfaces)	$10 – $20
Clean-up supplies (for latex paint, that’s soap and water, but you might also want to add a scraper)	$10

So, for these additional supplies, expect to pay another $55 to $100 or so, depending on your circumstances.

What Factors Influence the Cost of Painting Kitchen Cabinets?

The price of your painting project may be influenced by a number of other elements in addition to the material used to construct your kitchen cabinets. Before picking up a paintbrush, take a look at these elements in your kitchen to help you plan for any unforeseen costs and make sure you have everything you need.

Size Or Quantity of Cabinets

The average cost will increase with the amount of surface you must paint. If you have many large cabinets, you might need to do more preparation work for your cabinets. It will be necessary to remove the current paint or stain coating from cabinets and then sand and, if necessary, prime them. In other words, the greater the cabinet surface area you’re working with, the more you’ll pay for overall project costs.

Quality of Paint

Depending on its quality, paint can cost a lot of money. There is a wide range of interior latex semi-gloss paint available in the United States, even if you are only evaluating that type of paint., from $20 to $60 per gallon.

Existing Surface

Before you apply color, your cabinets will need extra care if they have already received one or more thick coats of paint or have been varnished. Otherwise, the surface won’t “take” the new paint, and you’ll get an uneven finish. This entails higher labor costs in addition to higher costs for the sandpaper, scrapers, and deglossers.

Condition of Cabinets

Your cabinets may need more work if they have sustained significant damage in some cases. If you have warped cabinets, you may need to consider the cost of cabinet refacing, which ranges from $90 to $450 per linear foot. Refacing entails changing your cabinet doors and drawer faces; it should not be confused with total cabinet replacement.

The price to install new cabinet hardware can also range quite a bit, with knobs and handles starting at a few dollars each and ranging into the hundreds for high-end materials. Finally, any extra preparation work, like scraping off paint that has peeled or filling in dents and dings with wood putty, can increase the amount of labor you need to pay for.

Removing Doors, Drawers, and Appliances

Remember that opening doors and drawers is a typical step in the preparation process, and you might need to unplug and move appliances like stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerators. The final cost in the professionals’ hourly breakdown may include this.

Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: DIY Vs. Hiring a Professional

Painting kitchen cabinets would appear to be among the most popular DIY tasks that homeowners have been known to take on. Knowing how to paint kitchen cabinets seems to be a fairly simple task. It’s important to note that it takes much longer than you might anticipate, even though it’s not the most difficult task to complete and doesn’t call for a lot of specialized tools. To prepare and remove the finish from 200 square feet of cabinets, as well as the actual priming, painting, refitting, and cleanup, should take about 20 hours. If you can’t get it all done at once, it’s no small sacrifice to have your kitchen largely unusable for a few days or more. Additionally, even though many DIY enthusiasts paint their own cabinets, it’s a common error to improperly prepare the cabinets. If you skip this step or do it incorrectly, your paint won’t last as long.

For busy homeowners, hiring kitchen cabinet experts has many advantages. The first is that they can send a team of laborers to work all day on the job so it can be completed in fewer days. Because of this, there is much less disruption in your kitchen, which allows you to use it again more quickly. A professional will know how to protect the rest of your kitchen, pick the right tools to remove the finish, prime the cabinets, and paint them. Additionally, you can rely on their knowledge to assist you in selecting the right paint types, colors, and stains for the appearance you want to achieve. If your kitchen is average in size, painting the cabinets will cost you much less than renovating the entire space. Spending the money on professionals who can ensure the cabinets last a long time can be a wise investment that saves you time and money in the long run.

How to Save Money on Painting Kitchen Cabinets?

Don’t let the cost of painting kitchen cabinets sway you from hiring professionals. You can cut costs on this enjoyable project in a number of different ways.

To avoid ordering too much paint, accurately calculate the surface area that needs to be painted.
Ask a professional if your cabinets can handle using a paint with primer included or if your situation will work best with a separate primer.
You can use old bedsheets or tarps as drop cloths if you have them. (You won’t have to worry about providing materials like drop cloths if you hire a professional.)
Utilize the paint that fits your vision and budget. An ultra high-gloss paint might not be necessary if you’re going for a muted look.
At the same time, be willing to spend a little extra on good quality paint that will last longer than a year or two.
Follow paint companies on social media, where they promote upcoming sales.
You can save money and time by removing the cabinet doors and drawers yourself.
Request a price estimate for any hardware you might decide to replace. The company may have access to wholesale pricing, or you might find it on sale at a local hardware store.
If you’re also considering having some rooms painted, ask if there is a discount for booking both jobs at the same time.

If you’re considering doing it yourself,-painting part of your home, you want to make sure that you get it right the first time. There is very little margin for error when it comes to your time and money. Even though painting your cabinets seems simple enough, you might find yourself second-guessing your decision. What is the best paint brush for cabinets?

FAQs

Is It Worth It to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

Almost always, the answer is yes. You may need to consider replacing the cabinets in some cases if they are too damaged to be painted or if you’d prefer to update the cabinets or the kitchen’s layout. On the other hand, it is definitely worth it to paint kitchen cabinets to give them a modern, timeless, or trendy appearance. One of the most rewarding ways to see an increase in your home’s value is by updating your kitchen.

Is It Better to Spray Or Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

According to the style you want to achieve. Your best option is to have them hand-painted if you enjoy the rich texture that oil-based paint applied with a brush leaves behind. Spray painting is an efficient way to evenly spray paint on any surface, even if it has grooves. To get the smooth finish you want, you just need to make sure the professional is at ease using the spray painter and that you’re using the best paint. Ask if they’ll spray the cabinets outside in a safe area or if they’ll cover the entire kitchen because spray painting cabinets can be messier.

Do I Need to Add a Protective Seal to Cabinets After Painting?

Generally, yes, it’s recommended to add a protective seal to your kitchen cabinets. After making a quality project investment, sealing the paint is the best way to preserve it over time. Kitchen cabinets go through a lot more wear and tear than a typical wall would, so it is a good idea to protect them from food, grease, dings, cuts, and liquids.

How Much Does It Cost to Have Cabinets Professionally Painted?

On average, it costs $762 to paint cabinets professionally. The typical price range is $394 to $1,254, but if the kitchen is large or extensive preparation is required to be able to paint the old cabinets, the price may go beyond this range. Your final expense will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your kitchen, the surface area of your cabinets, the kind of paint you select, and local labor costs.

Is It Hard to Paint Cabinets?

The act of painting itself is not difficult. It’s not the part that takes the longest either. Preparing the cabinets so that the new paint will look great and last a long time is the biggest challenge. The cabinets must be cleaned, sanded or stripped, the doors and drawers removed, the hardware taped or removed, and all surfaces protected. The biggest error people make when attempting to complete this multi-day task themselves is not properly preparing your cabinets for new paint.