The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets ranges between $2,000 to $6,500. This average considers professional labor hours and materials. There’s also an average of $200 and $774 for DIY projects. Painting your kitchen cabinets is a quick way to improve your kitchen’s look.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Paint Kitchen Cabinets
The total price of painting kitchen cabinets ranges widely because of kitchen space, cabinet state and the quality of the materials. Here’s a breakdown of how much it costs to paint kitchen cabinets.
Paint Type and Quality
While the average price of a gallon of cabinet paint is around $20 and $100, the ultimate cost will depend on the type of paint you select. Remember that a single gallon covers 350 to 400 square feet of cabinets.
Depending on the type of wood and the color you select, you may need two or more coats for the job, which increases the final cost of painting kitchen cabinets. If the wood is more resistant to absorbing the paint and you have a light color, it may take several coats to finish the painting.
- Latex/Acrylic Paint: Water-resistant, breathable and easy to clean. It averages $20 to $60 per gallon.
- Alkyd Paint: Water-and-stain resistant, durable and ideal for high-moisture rooms. It averages $25 to $70 per gallon.
- Spray-Painting: Spray painting gives a smooth finish and covers narrow crevices and detailed woodwork. It averages $40 to $100 per linear foot.
Surface Area and Cabinet Design
Different companies and painters have a variety of ways of budgeting their work. They can measure the cabinets by the following measures:
- Per square foot – $3 to $15
- Per linear foot – $30 to $70
- Per door – $70 to $125
- Per drawer – $30 to$110
- Per cabinet – $120 to $190
Kitchen Size
Your kitchen layout is a variable to consider for the price of painting your kitchen cabinets. If the design is intricate, with many corners and cabinets with different depths, the labor hours price will increase. If you have a large kitchen, also expect a higher price.
- For a small kitchen (70 square feet or less) – $1,000 to $3,500
- For an average kitchen (100 square feet) – $2,000 to $6,500
- For a large kitchen (over 200 square feet) – $5,000 and $10,000
Condition of Cabinets
Peeling paint, dirty surfaces, and cracked wood impede the painting of the cabinet. If the kitchen cabinets have damages that need to be repaired before painting, these repairs can cost between $120 and $600.
Labor and Materials
Depending on the cost of living in your area, the price of professional labor hours will vary. The average price of a professional painter’s labor is around $20 to $100 per hour.
The estimated time to finish a project is around 10 to 20 hours. Again, this will depend on the size and layout of your kitchen and the state of the cabinets. Other services like repairing the cabinets and finishing them elevate the overall price.
Other Costs to Consider
Besides labor and material costs, other services can increase the final price of painting kitchen cabinets.
Site Preparation
Before starting painting, all kitchen and hardware surfaces need to be covered. This will prevent unwanted paint stains on hardwood floors, countertops, sinks, appliances, or vents.
Removing Doors and Drawers
Since painting the drawers and their doors when in place can be difficult, removing them is part of the process. This assures better sanding and a more careful painting. Clean the cabinets and remove drawers and doors yourself to lower labor costs.
Removing Appliances
Another way of getting a better painting is by removing your appliances from the kitchen. If your kitchen has a complex layout, removing appliances like the dishwasher, the oven, or the fridge may be necessary. This can add up to two or more days of painting and increase the labor hours of the painters and, by that, the final cost.
Refinishing vs. Repainting
The average price of kitchen cabinet painting of $2,000 – $6,500 already includes the labor of stripping old paint or stain and sanding the cabinets if needed. So, higher prices for repainting over painting new wood cabinets.
Cabinet refinishing includes replacing doors and drawer fronts, stripping old paint and staining the cabinets. This service has an average price of $1,500 to $4,500.
Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
The DIY painting of kitchen cabinets averages between $200 to $600, including paint and supplies. Painting the cabinets yourself has advantages, like saving money from the labor hours of professionals. You can remove the cabinets and appliances and prepare the space. However, it may take longer, and you’re prone to make mistakes or have an accident.
When hiring a professional, the overall cost is higher. But they’ll provide their experience of working with wood cabinets, making repairs and safely taking them off and on again. You will pay for paint but not for materials like brushes, rollers, drop cloths or sanding materials.
The kitchen is one of the rooms with more traffic, and cabinets resent the constant food residue, heat, grease and water. Painting them is one of the quick and affordable ways to give your kitchen cabinets a facelift. Also, if you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen, the cabinetry is one of the first places to start.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to paint or replace kitchen cabinets?
Painting your kitchen cabinets is considerably cheaper than replacing the whole cabinetry. The average price of painting your kitchen cabinets is around $2,000 to $6,500, while the total cabinet replacement cost is $4,500 and $15,000. Painting and replacing will depend on the state of your cabinets. You may need a replacement if they’re old, dinged, dented, or scratched.
Is painting kitchen cabinets a good investment?
Yes, painting kitchen cabinets is one of the most affordable ways to give them a new look and add value to your home. You can paint your kitchen a new look without paying the total remodel cost (around $25,000).
Is professional cabinet painting worth it? Or is it better to DIY?
DIY is an option if you want to pay less for painting kitchen cabinets. Keep in mind it requires complex and detailed work and free time. If you don’t have the skills, or maybe your kitchen is large or has a complex layout, consider hiring professionals for $20 to $100 per hour.
