How Durable Are Chalk
Chalk-paint kitchen cabinets are becoming more popular due to their ease of use and lack of need for primer or sanding, but they do come with challenges.
- The chalk needs to be sealed.
- Sealants will need to be reapplied over time.
- Sealants such as wax may leave a yellow appearance.
- The chalk sometimes begins to show wear in as little as two years, in some cases.
Average Labor Cost To Paint Kitchen Cabinets
The labor cost to paint kitchen cabinets varies depending on the level of expertise of your contractors. Your hired painters will paint kitchen drawers and cabinets throughout the space. Generally, you can expect to pay between $25 and $100 per hour. Painters can also charge per sq.ft. , per linear foot , or per unit .
The professional kitchen cabinet painters cost is usually worth the services you receive. Prepping, priming, and painting kitchen cabinets can be a complicated process for which the contractor has experience. Remember, the job takes between three and five days, depending on how many of them you have. In fact, applying just one coat takes one to two days. You will always need two coats to cover the surfaces thoroughly.
Most paint jobs involve repairing any imperfections, sanding the surfaces down, selecting the right paint and primer, and applying them. These prices are for painters using a roller and a brush to complete the job. Spray painting is another good option to get the job done more quickly, but it will end up costing more overall.
How Much Does It Cost To Professionally Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Besides the number of cabinets in the kitchen to be considered, theres also cost of the materials to paint the cabinets. Between primers, brushes, paint, and equipment for sanding, it can be an additional cost of about $200.
There are other factors that can increase the cost as well. The cost of paint can range from $78 to $228 depending on the type used. Supplies for painting can range from $97 to $109. Equipment for painting can vary from $40 to $54, and removal of cabinet painting waste can run about $70 to $79. So, the total can increase to between $875 to $2,250, depending on the choices you make.
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Associated Costs With Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing
36. Replacing Old Hinges 37. Replacing Handles and Knobs 38. Getting Soft Closing 39. Getting The Cabinet Refinisher To Get All of The Above 40. Hiring Carpenter To Reconfigure Existing Layout of Cupboards
36. Replacing Old Hinges Increase The Price To Resurface Kitchen Cabinets
Replacing old Euro style hinges is not a big deal as most hinges come off easily and go back on easily and on occasion a few have to be replaced because its rusty. No problem. The challenge comes in though with the older kitchens and the old style hinges / plates that can be found with older oak kitchens. It sounds easy enough to say to the cabinet refinisher just go to Home Depot and replace those but that typically turns out to be a sucker play with the cabinet painter being the sucker. Heres why. The chances of getting an identical hinge with the 3 holes in the same part of the plate so that the hinge can easily go back into the existing holes is almost zero. Moreover, the actual configuration of the hinge may look exactly like the ones youre replacing but oftentimes theyre slightly different with the difference not being easily noticed to the naked eye.
To simply forge ahead with these hinges because theyre close enough will come at a cost and most professional kitchen cabinet painting companies wont get involved in this aspect of the process as they dont want to become a partner in your misery. WHAAT?
37. Replacing Handles Adds To The Sale Price To Reface Cabinets
Cost To Paint Metal Cabinets

Painting metal cabinets costs between $4 and $9 per sq.ft. on average. These are generally made from either aluminum or stainless steel. These are extremely durable and have no give. They are most often used in commercial spaces, but homeowners sometimes install them, too. You will want to use an acrylic latex paint for the best coverage on metal. First, you need to use an industrial cleaner to wipe down the surfaces. Then, you will need to sand them and use a metal primer.
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Should I Replace Or Respray My Kitchen Cabinets
The answer depends on the state of your current cabinets and what youre hoping to achieve. Many homeowners want a fresh look for their kitchen, a new colour, or to get rid of peeling paint. All of those issues can be fixed by spray painting the cabinets.
However, if youre planning a brand new layout or extending your kitchen then you might need new cabinetry unless you can source identical cabinetry to your old ones so they can match in your new kitchen.
Also, if your old cabinets are heavily damaged or suffer from woodworm, it might be a good idea to get rid of them and buy new cabinetry. But, where possible, we would encourage you to make use of what you already have and consider a respray.
Cost To Paint Kitchen Cabinets
These estimates are for BASIC work performed in serviceable conditions by qualified trade professionals using MID GRADE materials. Work not mentioned on this page and/or work using master craftsman, premium materials and project supervision will result in HIGHER COSTS!
These estimates are NOT substitutes for written quotes from trade professionals. Homewyse strongly recommends that you contact reputable professionals for accurate assessments of work required and costs for your project – before making any decisions or commitments.
The cost estimate includes:
- Costs for local material / equipment delivery to and service provider transportation to and from the job site.
- Costs to prepare the worksite for Kitchen Cabinet Painting, including costs to protect existing structure, finishes, materials and components.
- Labor setup time, mobilization time and minimum hourly charges that are commonly included for small Kitchen Cabinet Painting jobs.
The cost estimate does NOT include:
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The Cost Of Fully Sprayed Cabinets
For customers who dont want any hand painting, we can send in the on-site spray team. The on-site spraying usually takes four days. They start cleaning, sanding and prepping on day one, and then as soon as that is finished they start putting up plastic to protect countertops and everything else from overspray.
Putting on multiple coats of primer and multiple coats of paint and waiting for all of it to dry takes time, and theres no way to speed up the process. When you spray paint, you have to allow it to dry fully before the next coat or else it may not set up properly.
The prep can be very time consuming depending on the square footage needed to be protected and also leaves you kitchen mostly unusable for those days. Removing all the plastic and tape is also time consuming, but you are left with what is basically brand new, factory finished cabinetry as your new look.
The average cost for a full spray job is roughly double the cost of the hand painted option. For most fully sprayed kitchens, you should set your expectations to start around $5,000 and go up from there. For high-end homes this seems like a simple choice.
When you are pricing out a paint job always as the painting contractor about the paint colors youre interested in, because that can be both a time and price factor. Different paint colors need different colored primer. Paint costs have been on the rise lately along with lumber prices.
Labor Cost To Paint Kitchen Cabinets
The average labor cost to paint kitchen cabinets is $32 to $100 per hour, with a national average of $55 per hour. Labor costs will make up the bulk of the cost of painting or repainting kitchen cabinets. For a kitchen with 300 square feet of cabinet area, a professionally painted project will cost between $875 to $1,997. The total cost will vary based on your location, the contractor your work with, and the complexity of the project.
For older cabinets with a lot of wear and tear, the preparation phase can be labor-intensive. Contractors will account for the preparation phase when considering how much to charge to paint kitchen cabinets. Conversely, some projects require little prep work. Since these types of jobs are fairly easy, companies that paint kitchen cabinets may charge by $2 to $3 per square foot rather than a heftier hourly rate.
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What Does A Painting Professional Charge Extra Fees For
Professionals charge extra fees for certain services, so watch out for these things if you’re trying to keep your cabinet painting costs down:
Cabinets in bad shape bring up the total cost
If your cabinets are in bad shape full of dents, knicks, scratches, or repairs then the cost to paint your kitchen cabinets will be even higher.
Workers will need to repair any issues with the wood and sand it down extensively, creating a good enough surface for the paint to stick to
Spray paint kitchen cabinets are expensive
If you’ve got more ornate cabinets with a lot of wooden carvings and decoration that is hard to paint, then you might need professional spray painting.
This painting method uses high-quality lacquer paint that is very durable, finishing with no drips for a smooth painted texture.
However, it costs $35 to $95 per linear foot for kitchen cabinet spray painting, and the cost of hiring a paint sprayer gun is around $40 to $120 per day depending on your region.
There is no doubt that it costs extra to spray paint kitchen cabinets.
Additional coats of paint & primer increase painting cost
If you want additional coats of paint and/or primer for a really slick finish, then this is going to cost you extra in terms of both paint and the labor required for the extra coats.
If you’re happy with just 1-2 coats, you could save a lot of cash.
High-quality paints and lacquers are expensive
Kitchen cabinets above 8 feet tall raise the price
Will Painting My Kitchen Cabinets Bring Down Value
Painting your kitchen cabinets, especially when done by a professional, will add value to your home. According to Zillow , a real estate and rental marketplace, neutral, painted cabinets, like the ones in the white kitchen shown above, in particular can help boost your home’s re-sale value.
Sticking to a neutral palette is a good idea if you are painting your kitchen cabinets with a view to selling, due to its wide-reaching appeal. You can never really go wrong with white.
Thanks to deVOL for help with this feature.
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Challenges Of Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Painting your cabinets isnt as easy as grabbing a brush and slapping on a coat of paint. There happens to be a fair amount of challenges that could arise before you can actually start painting. Here are some things to consider beforehand.
- Dismantling the room In order to get the most precise paint job, cabinets will need to have their doors, handles, and hinges removed for full access to all surfaces. This means a lot of deconstruction and reconstruction of the room.
- Removing appliances, accessories, and food Whether youre painting your bathroom or kitchen cabinets, you will likely have to remove a lot of items in the room and store them until your project is complete. This is to make sure the paint job is as precise as possible while making sure paint stays off items where it doesnt belong, including your sink, stove, mirror, fridge, and more.
- Where to paint your cabinets When painting cabinets, its best to remove their doors and paint them separately, which means youll have to find a place to paint them and let them dry. Dont be surprised if your kitchen table or the floor become your new workspace.
- Differences in paintwork If you think painting your cabinets will be as easy as the walls, think again. In order to look their best, cabinets require a smaller brush and different technique, especially if theyre paneled. Regardless of whether theyre your kitchen cabinets or bathroom cupboards, expect to dedicate a little more time and money.
Cost To Paint Cabinets Per Linear Foot

The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets per linear foot is $30 to $60. Keep in mind that a project with fewer cabinets and a smaller area to paint will typically end up costing more per square foot than a larger project. This is because the contractor will have additional costs, such as transportation and other overhead, that is independent of the project’s square footage.
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Cabinet Painting Diy Price
These two products will make up the bulk of your materials cost, which will amount to about $15 per cabinet surface. So, if you were painting 30 cabinet surfaces, you could expect your total cost of materials to be about $450. Add some more on if you dont have common painting equipment, such as drop cloths.
That sounds pretty good, but be aware that the real cost is in the time and frustration you may experience. Kitchen cabinet resurfacing is one of the hardest types of painting projects to tackle. A professional would expect to spend 1.5 hours per cabinet surface when refinishing all the kitchen cabinets. It would likely take a weekend warrior 2x that time. So, a kitchen with 30 cabinet surfaces would only cost you around $450, but over 75 hours of your time.
Are you thinking about painting the rest of the rooms in your house? Learn about what to expect in our interior paint pricing guide.