Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets – Kitchen Refinishing Budget
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Walking into your kitchen and grimacing at the sight of your kitchen cabinets is something that nobody wants to experience. However, the cost to paint kitchen cabinets professionally can easily become very expensive. We understand that not everyone has the financial means to fork out thousands of dollars to repaint their kitchen cabinets. The good news is that we are here to provide you with all of the information needed to accurately determine the cost to paint kitchen cabinets, so keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
Why Painting Kitchen Cabinets Is a Popular Choice
Refreshing your kitchen cabinets is among the quickest ways to improve the general appearance of a room where you spend a lot of time. Depending on the surface and state of your cabinets, you may not need to replace them to accomplish that aim.
Repainting kitchen cabinets is one of the most popular kitchen remodeling tasks that may revitalize your space and increase the value of your property.
So, how much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets? Painting kitchen cabinets is less expensive than you would think and certainly less expensive than refacing or replacing them. This cost consists mostly of labor, but it also includes materials. If old cabinets require extensive work to remove bad finishes before repainting, if extensive finish work is necessary, or if there are many cabinets in a big kitchen, this cost might rise to an average of $7,000, or higher.
However, if you have a good foundation to work with, the cost to paint kitchen cabinets is much lower than any other option and it will give you the best bang for your buck. Most people are looking for the best results while trying to keep costs low, and this is what we will help you to do.
Cost Factors
Before you ask the question, “how much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?”, it is very important to understand what you are paying for and how your money will be distributed across the project.
Your cost will be split into two categories: materials and labor, with the latter being the highest unless you plan to do the job yourself.
Below, you will find all of the cost factors that need to be considered.
Materials
It is easy to assume that your materials will be the most expensive cost; however, all you will need is your preparation materials such as cleaning supplies, sandpaper, tape, paint stripper, and so on. If you are not planning on doing the job yourself, there is no need to worry about the tools that are needed.
Types of Paint
Using higher-quality paint for your painting project might cost several hundred dollars extra. Before settling on a higher-end paint, talk to an experienced painter about the amount of use that the kitchen cabinets will have to endure. Most professionals can then advise you on the ideal finish and paint quality.
You may also select from a variety of paint finishes, often known as sheens. The shinier the paint is, the higher the price. For kitchen cabinets, the two greatest sheens available, high-gloss and semi-gloss, are often recommended as the most resilient solutions.
Brushes, Rollers, and Sprayers
Should you choose the DIY route, you can expect to pay up to $100 a day to rent a sprayer. While this is the quickest way to paint your kitchen cabinets, we would advise that you use paintbrushes and rollers as they are more user-friendly and cost-effective with prices rarely exceeding $20 for a kit.
Sandpaper, Primer, and Other Supplies
The cost of relevant materials and supplies needed to paint kitchen cabinets, such as cleanup supplies, primers, preparation and repair materials, and masking tape are generally on the low end with costs ranging between $45 to $51.
Labor
The cost of labor is what can easily drive up the average cost to paint kitchen cabinets. The cost of labor when painting kitchen cabinets ranges from $25 and $75 per hour and accounts for between 80 and 85 percent of the overall project cost. Cabinet painters often charge a higher hourly rate than wall painters since cabinets need more preparation and detailed work.
Hourly Rate
Kitchen cabinet painters often charge $25 to $75 per hour, based on location. They may base their prices on the total linear feet of cabinets or bill per door, cabinet, and drawer.
Prices can fluctuate based on the cost of materials, gas, and so on, while some painters will be more expensive based on their experience.
Amount of Labor Required
Should the painters be accountable for removing all of your appliances prior to the start of the project, the costs will be greater. Preparation work also involves repairing damaged cabinets, uninstalling hinges and hardware, removing doors, buffing surfaces, and priming cabinets before painting can begin.
All of these might add time to the process, which means higher costs. Professional painters will often take between 10 to 20 hours to finish the process, based on the dimensions of your kitchen as well as the existing condition of your kitchen cabinets.
Size of the Kitchen
The amount of linear feet of cabinets that must be painted is normally determined by the total area of the kitchen. Some experienced painters price by linear foot, while others charge by cabinet door, box, drawer face, and so on.
The size of your kitchen also has an impact on material expenses.
The larger the kitchen, the more paint you will need to buy and the size of the drop cloths you will require to cover the area. A larger kitchen that has additional cabinets may result in higher labor expenditures. This is often regarded as one of the most important factors to consider when factoring in the cost to paint kitchen cabinets.
| Size of the Kitchen | Low Cost | High Cost |
| Small | $1,000 | $3,500 |
| Medium | $2,000 | $6,500 |
| Large | $5,000 | $10,000 |
Condition of the Cabinets
The better the condition of the cabinets, the less you will be charged for labor. This is because the painters will need to spend less time repairing any damage the cabinets have been dealt over the years and the amount of preparation needed before painting.
Damage or Repairs Needed
On average, kitchen cabinet repairs will end up costing between $120 and $600. Kitchen cabinet bottom repair costs $150 to $200, whereas kitchen sink cabinet replacement expenses range from $200 to $600.
So, if you do need repairs done, it could end up costing you a lot, yet it is still cheaper to repair than to replace.
Preparation Required Before Paint
Failure to do a basic sanding might result in the paint not sticking and actually flaking off the previous service. Fortunately, preparation is not as time-consuming as you may expect. You merely need to sand to remove the gloss from the original surface.
In a nutshell, you do not need to sand off the previous paint or stain; only scuff it up.
Type of Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are made from an assortment of materials, and each requires a somewhat different technique to obtain a smooth, consistent layer of paint. Since the price of kitchen cabinets varies, below are the unique pricing for every sort of cabinet material.
Wood vs. Laminate
Allocate an additional $5 to $10 for sandpaper for painted or stained wood cabinets to ensure appropriate paint adhesion. If the outer layer is glossy, you may need to spend an extra $10 to $20 on a chemical paint de-glosser.
Sanding laminate cabinets to roughen the surface may add $5 to $10 to the cost of your project. A primer created particularly for laminate surfaces will also be required, which can range in price from $20 to $80 based on the brand and amount.
Flat vs. Raised Panels
Flat-panel cabinets are a lot simpler to paint compared to cabinets with decorative edges, lines, and crevices. If you employ a professional painter, labor expenses may rise if your cabinets’ unique design slows them down. This is something that needs to be considered before getting the cabinets repainted.
Number of Cabinets
Naturally, the number of cabinets you have will affect the labor costs as well as the costs of materials. The more cabinets you have, the more you will need to spend and this cost can be calculated based on the boxes, faces, and drawers that you will need to work on.
Cost Breakdown
Before starting any DIY or home renovation project, it is crucial to be mindful of the costs that are involved.
The last thing that you would want to experience is needing to stop halfway through the project because you have run out of money.
Below, we have provided information that features the costs of repainting your kitchen cabinets.
The Average Cost for Painting Kitchen Cabinets
When figuring out how much it costs to paint cabinets in your kitchen, you must consider two major factors: labor and supplies. You do not need to consider labor expenses when painting your cabinets yourself but bear in mind that it may take you more than 20 hours for the ordinary kitchen.
Additionally, you will also be susceptible to unappealing mistakes. When you employ professional painters, you must still pay for the paint, but you will not have to budget for other items such as brushes, paint rollers, sanding materials, tarps, and so on.
Breakdown of Costs
The cost of painting kitchen cabinets is determined by various factors, notably the size, position, as well as the type of cabinets you have, and labor expenses.
Prices will also vary depending on the variation of paint you select.
Essentially, we are providing you with the most accurate estimates possible; however, the cost will vary based on your specific job. Here are the primary elements to consider while creating your budget.
Labor Cost
Professional painters often charge between $20 to $50 per hour, but this can be more depending on the company. This generally accounts for 85% of the total expense of professionally painting kitchen cabinets. Bear in mind that some contractors may price by the square footage of the surface you like to paint, whilst others may charge by the cabinet, drawer, or door.
Paint Cost
There are several varieties of paint accessible, with per-gallon prices varying between $20 to $80. A gallon of paint costs between $15 and $60 for a common brand and between $50 and $100 for an upscale brand. A single gallon covers approximately 350 to 400 square feet. The average paint costs per type are as follows:
- Oil-based paint: $20 to $80
- Acrylic paint: $20 to $50
- Latex-based paint: $20 to $50
Paint Appliers
The cost of paint appliers will vary from one store to the next and your region will also play a significant role in the cost of the paint applier. However, the cost of these supplies is among the lowest when it comes to this project. Below, you will find a table that features the average cost of various paint appliers.
| Item | Average Cost |
| Paint Roller Kit | $8 to $20 |
| Paintbrushes | $10 to $15 |
| Sprayer | A daily rate of $40 to $100 |
Preparation Materials
Much like the paint appliers, the average cost of preparation materials is much lower compared to the cost of paint and labor. Below, we have provided the average price range of the materials that you would need to ensure that you are able to prepare the surface of your cabinets without any issues.
| Item | Average Cost |
| Primer | $30 to $50 per gallon |
| Patching Compound | $6 to $10 |
| Scraper | $6 to $8 |
| Masking Tape | $5 to $10 |
| Drop Cloth | $3 to $10 |
| Sandpaper | $2 to $5 |
Tips for Reducing Costs
Everyone loves a good deal and there are certain things that you can do to reduce the costs of this project. The first and most important step is to map out the project and try and list all of the costs and potential costs of the project. This will make it easier for you to cut costs if needed and you will have a concrete figure to work with that will prevent overspending.
The best way to reduce the cost of painting your cabinets is to do the job yourself. However, it can get very expensive if you make mistakes. Another way to ensure that you can keep the costs low is to avoid spending money on materials that are not necessary.
Hiring a Professional vs. DIY
You could be tempted to take on the job yourself, but it is very important to understand that this is not a simple DIY task. The painting procedure itself is simple. It is also not the least time-consuming component of the process. The most difficult task is prepping the cabinets so that the new paint will last for a while and look fantastic.
Clean, sand, or strip the cabinets, remove the doors and drawers, tape or remove the hardware, and cover any surfaces. The most common error individuals make when attempting to DIY this multi-day project is improperly prepping their cabinets for new paint.
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Professional
Hiring a professional to paint your kitchen cabinets is the safest option, but it can be very expensive. Below, you will find the pros and cons of hiring a painting professional compared to doing the job yourself.
- No need to worry about labor
- You are almost guaranteed to get the job done
- Less time-consuming
- No need to purchase painting equipment
- It can be very expensive
Pros and Cons of DIY
DIY can be a great option if you are familiar with the preparation process that comes before painting; however, it can also be very difficult and expensive for novice DIYers. Nevertheless, you will find the pros and cons below.
- Significantly cheaper if it is done properly
- An enjoyable project for expert DIYers
- You can paint when it suits you
- Mistakes can be expensive to fix
- Extremely time-consuming
When to Consider Each Option
If you have very little time on your hands but you have the money to spare, then, by all means, hire a professional. However, if you have the time, but do not have the funds to pay a professional, then it is best to do it yourself.
While it can be a very difficult project, painting your kitchen cabinets is best left to the professionals as there is a lot of preparation that goes into the project before the cabinets can be painted. However, now that you have a good idea of how much it would cost, you can decide which option is better suited to your budget. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Considered to Be the Average Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?
If you are wondering how much it will cost to paint kitchen cabinets, you are looking at figures ranging from $760 to $1,250. This can be done cheaply as you will likely only need to face-lift your cabinets instead of replacing them.
What is the Best Method to Determine the Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Professionally?
We would recommend that you use the cost of each cabinet face. This eliminates the need for any measurements to be taken. Essentially, this is done by counting the cabinet and drawer surfaces in your kitchen and then determining the size of your kitchen, with the smaller kitchens having fewer than 20 surfaces and larger ones exceeding 40. It generally costs $190 per cabinet for small kitchens, and you should add 10% as the size of the kitchen increases.
What is the Most Important Factor to Consider When Calculating the Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?
When it comes to how much it costs to paint kitchen cabinets, it is very important to consider the quality that you want. It is possible to do it for a low cost, but you will end up with a poor finish due to the decrease in the quality of the materials that are used, and you will probably cut corners in the process.
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