How cabinet painting is done
Cabinets take more handling than walls because they get touched every day. A careful job usually starts with removing doors, drawer fronts and hardware and labeling each piece. Every surface is cleaned to remove kitchen grease, then sanded or deglossed so the primer bonds. A bonding primer goes on next, followed by two finish coats. Many painters spray doors and drawer fronts in a separate area and brush or spray the cabinet boxes in place.
The paint matters. Ask whether the painter uses a cabinet or enamel product made for hard wear, and how long it needs to cure before full use. Paint can feel dry within hours but still be soft for days or weeks.
- Kitchen cabinets and islands
- Bathroom vanities
- Built-in bookcases and mudroom cubbies
- New hardware installation if you supply it
Is your cabinet a good candidate
Solid wood and wood veneer cabinets in sound shape usually paint well. Thermofoil or laminate surfaces need special primers or may not be good candidates at all. If boxes are water damaged or doors are warped, painting will not fix that. A painter can look at the cabinets and tell you whether painting makes sense.
Living with the work
Cabinet painting takes the kitchen partly out of use for several days or longer. Plan simple meals and clear the cabinets before the crew arrives. Ask the painter for a day-by-day schedule and how they will control dust and spray in the house.
Older kitchens and lead
If your cabinets or trim date from before 1978 and have old paint on them, sanding them is regulated by the EPA lead-safe rules. The contractor must be Lead-Safe Certified and contain the dust. Ask about it before work starts.
Questions to ask before you hire
Ask how the doors will be finished, whether sprayed off site, sprayed in a set-up area at your house or brushed by hand. Ask which primer and topcoat they use, how long the finish needs to cure, and whether reinstalling doors and hardware is included. If you plan new hinges or pulls, buy them before the job so the painter can fill or drill holes at the right time. Get the color, sheen and number of coats in writing.
Typical cabinet painting costs
Published national ranges from This Old House.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets, whole kitchen | $900 to $3,500 |
| Smaller cabinet projects, per square foot of cabinet | $3 to $8 |
Ranges are national averages, not quotes. Your price depends on the number of doors and drawers, cabinet material and condition, color change, spraying versus brushing and local labor rates.
Questions homeowners ask
Will painted cabinets chip?
Any painted surface can chip with hard knocks, but good prep, a bonding primer and a hard-wearing cabinet paint hold up well. Let the finish cure fully before heavy use. Ask the painter for touch-up paint.
How long does cabinet painting take?
Many kitchens take several days to a week or more, depending on the number of doors and drying time between coats. The painter can give you a schedule with the estimate.
Is painting cheaper than new cabinets?
Usually, by a wide margin. Painting keeps your existing boxes and doors, so you avoid the cost of new cabinetry and installation. It only makes sense if the cabinets are in sound condition.
Other services
House painting
Full interior or exterior repaints for houses of every age.
Exterior painting
Siding, trim, porches and doors, with the prep older homes need.
Interior painting
Walls, ceilings, trim and doors, one room or the whole house.
Deck and fence staining
Cleaning, sealing and staining for wood decks and fences.
Power washing and surface prep
Cleaning and prep for siding, decks and walks before paint or stain.
Commercial painting
Storefronts, offices and multi-family buildings.