Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets – An Easy Upgrade Budgeting Guide

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There are many ways to improve the look and feel of your home! Whether you’re sprucing up your garden, repairing an old fence, or breathing some life into your lawn furniture, you can upgrade the inside of your home too, and there’s more than one way to go about it. One of the most popular ways to modernize the interior of your home is to paint your kitchen cabinets, and more and more people seem to be doing this. Since it’s so popular, it’s probably affordable too, right? Let’s have a look at how much it would cost to paint kitchen cabinets, how you can minimize your overall expenditure, and why painting kitchen cabinets have become such a popular home improvement choice.

 

 

Why Is Painting Kitchen Cabinets So Popular?

Why is painting kitchen cabinets so popular if there are so many other facets of the home that can be upgraded as well? There are many reasons, but some of the more prominent include the fact that the kitchen is one of the most trafficked areas in most homes, and the fact that you can create a significant aesthetic impact for relatively little money and effort.

Most people use their kitchens every single day, whether it’s just to make some coffee in the morning or to make our recommended three-square meals a day, most of us spend consistent time in this space, regardless of the duration. That being said, aside from the bedroom and living room, it’s the one you’re likely to see the most, and by extension, a room your guests will see as well.

You also won’t really be remodeling the entire room, but rather updating and refreshing the furnishings inside the room, making things a bit easier and significantly cheaper for you. You won’t be pulling off wall panels and replacing drywall, just resurfacing your kitchen cabinets and maybe the countertops if you have the time, inclination, and funds to do so. Seems like a pretty sweet deal, right?

The aesthetic and functional possibilities aren’t as limiting as other types of renovations either. After all, there are a whole host of materials and coatings for you to choose from that won’t only make your kitchen look better but they could make your day-to-day life easier too. Certain materials can reduce maintenance and greatly cut down on time spent cleaning your kitchen after use.

Painting kitchen cabinets also means that the value of your home increases, should you choose to sell or rent it out. After all, old kitchen surfaces can appear unsanitary and can be tedious to clean up for new home buyers or potential tenants. That being said, between the relatively low effort it takes to do, the ability to shop around, and the aesthetic and financial benefits.

 

 

How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets? There are a few things that you should consider when preparing to paint kitchen cabinets. From tools to materials, there are many items you can shop around for, some of which you can cut down on costs with, while others might need to be of a higher quality to ensure a good finish. That being said, let’s have a look at the cost to paint kitchen cabinets according to the individual items you’ll likely need.

 

Materials

The cost of materials are what most of our minds are likely to jump to when considering a major renovation, especially if you’ll be doing all of the work yourself. Shopping around for materials can be tedious and a bit boring, but ensuring that you have materials that are of good quality and that will provide you with your desired finish without breaking the bank is important. Here are some things to consider.

 

Type of Paint

There are many types of paint for you to choose from when painting kitchen cabinets and all of them have their respective pros and cons. Oil and acrylic-based paints tend to be the most popular, with oil-based paints being more durable, having a glossier finish, and generally being more durable. Acrylic paints on the other hand are marginally cheaper, contain fewer VOCs (volatile organic chemicals), and are far more versatile, even though their finish isn’t quite as glossy.

 

Brushes, Rollers, and Sprayers

The types of application methods you use will determine how much time and effort you spend on your project. The application method can also affect the finish of your paint and your expenditure, as you will spend far more money on hiring or purchasing a paint sprayer outright, not to mention the electrical cost and compressed air needed to operate one of these.

Brushes and rollers tend to be far less expensive, but they are more labor-intensive to use and take far longer to cover the same surface area that paint sprayers do. When it comes to applicators, the rule of thumb is that whatever you’re saving money on you’ll likely be making up for in time and effort. While this might be an acceptable trade to some, it might not be to others.

 

Sandpaper, Primer, and Painter’s Tape

While these might seem like negligible costs, you’d be surprised how quickly these innocuous items can add up, especially when you have quite a few cupboards to paint. Let’s start with sandpaper. You can use sandpaper, sanding blocks, or a power sander to rough up the surface of your workpiece. Obviously, power sanders are the most expensive, but they save you a ton of time and effort.

Prime tends to be a bit more complicated compared to sanding instruments. Primer is what allows your paint to adhere to the surface while ensuring an even and consistent finish once it’s all dried and cured. The quality of primer can range considerably depending on the brand and price range, with more expensive and subsequently well-recognized brands generally performing far better.

The price of your primer is also affected by type. Each paint type needs to be applied using its corresponding primer. Aside from primer and sanding tools, you will also need to choose a good-quality painter’s tape. Painter’s tape is functionally the same as masking tape, allowing you to seal up areas of your workpiece you don’t want getting painted.

Poor quality painter’s tape tends to adhere poorly to some surfaces, resulting in bleed-through beyond the point you intended to paint due to the tape lifting. As you’ve probably guessed by now, the higher the cost of your painter’s tape the better it tends to perform. However, using some elbow grease and doubling up on your tape application is a suitable workaround for this problem.

 

Possible Labor Costs

While the cost of materials is usually at the forefront of everyone’s mind, labor is just as important. After all, if you’re hiring someone else to do the work for you, they’ll need to be paid, and depending on their skill level and qualifications, this could cost you a pretty penny. That being said, let’s look at all of the factors associated with labor costs when painting kitchen cupboards.

 

Hourly Rate

Most professional contractors charge by the hour. Getting a rough estimate of how long the job will take and a quote for that time period is something you should consider getting even before purchasing the materials. When it comes to labor costs you have the option of shopping around for the best deal, and some contractors might even throw in materials or tell you where to get the best deals for them.

Remember that you should consider all the costs aside from the hourly rate related to labor. What does this mean? Basically, it means that you should be aware of any other expenses including fuel, electricity, emergency supplies, and anything else that could increase your expenditure that is related to the workers being on the job site.

 

The Amount of Labor Needed

The amount of labor you need will also affect how much you’ll have to fork out. If your kitchen repair job is going to require more than three people for the job then you should be ready to pay quite a bit in labor per hour, not to mention if professionals from other disciplines need to be called in on the spot, costing you even more money than you initially expected.

The aforementioned can be challenging to anticipate, which is why you shouldn’t simply provide your square footage to a contractor and give them a starting date. If you are using a contractor, allow them to inspect the conditions of the cabinets, where they are located, and communicate the type of paint job you would like to have to receive an accurate quote.

 

The Size of the Kitchen

One thing that you should definitely take into account and not overlook is the overall size of your kitchen. There are many aspects of surfacing your kitchen cupboards that are affected by the overall breadth and length of your kitchen, so let’s have a look at what they are and how they can affect the overall cost of your kitchen cupboard makeover.

The size of your kitchen can affect the rate at which work can be done. How? Primarily it affects the number of people that can occupy the space and whether or not the cupboards need to be removed before they can be surfaced and painted. How does this affect your cost? Well, if your labor is billed hourly, removal of the cupboards and only a limited amount of people can work at a time, it’s going to cost you more.

The same can be said if your kitchen is particularly large. After all, the more square feet that workers need to cover and the more cabinets there are to paint, the more they’re going to have to charge you to get the job done. Additionally, if you have a full-sized kitchen, it’s likely going to take more than two people to get the job done, further increasing your expenditure.

 

The Condition of Your Cabinets

One factor that can greatly affect the cost of the refurbishment of your cabinets is the condition they’re in beforehand. Whether you are doing it yourself or are hiring professionals, if your cabinets are in disrepair, you’re going to end up paying for the damage to be patched before a new coat of paint can be applied. Not only does this increase the cost to you per hour if you’ve decided to hire help, but it also means that you’ll have to buy additional materials like filler, spackle, putty knives, various grits of sandpaper, and possibly veneer sheets.

Ensuring your cabinets are in good condition or at the very least repaired before the painting process begins can save you a lot of time, effort, and money down the line.

 

The Type of Cabinets You Are Painting

While the condition of your cabinet set is important when it comes to costing, so is the type of cabinet you have. These days cabinets can be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to solid wood and engineered wood. However, there are other characteristics of your cabinet you need to take into account that could affect your cost. Here are a few you should keep in mind.

 

Wood vs. Laminate

While most older cabinets are made out of solid wood (whether it be hardwood or softwood) most modern cupboards are made of engineered wood or laminate. Solid wood cupboards tend to be more expensive to paint because they require more preparation and time to actually paint. Laminate, on the other hand,  is cheaper and takes less time to paint.

However, painted laminate doesn’t come anywhere near the quality of finish you will have when actual wood has been painted. For most people that choose to paint their laminate cupboard doors, it’s more of a temporary solution. This isn’t just because of the look of the finish either, as laminate doesn’t hold on to paint very well, at least compared to solid or engineered wood.

 

Flat Panels vs. Raised Panels

One hurdle you might not even think of until you’re right in the middle of painting your cupboard doors is the fact that not every cupboard door is flat. Some door panels have recesses, dents, bulges, and all sorts of other intricate textures that can make the surface of a door rather challenging to paint, especially if you have chosen to use a brush and roller.

After all, it’s going to take you longer to paint those contours perfectly, which means that if you have chosen to outsource the task, your labor cost just increased by an hour or three. Cupboards with wood-carved reliefs can be a real challenge to paint too, whereas flat cupboard doors can be painted quickly and easily, saving you time and money!

 

Number of Cabinets

This might seem redundant to mention, but you should have a look at exactly how many doors and interiors you intend to paint. Although the math is simple, it’s easy to overlook, so be sure to count your cupboard so that you purchase the right amount of paint, primer, applicators, sandpaper, and sealers if you’d like to reserve your hard work.

 

 

How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

Now that you know which variables will increase or decrease your expenditure it’s time for us to get to the numbers. How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets? Remember that some kitchen cupboards can be surprisingly inexpensive to paint, whereas others can seem to cost an arm and a leg simply because the cupboards are made of a different material. That being said, here are the figures you should keep in mind.

 

What Is the Average Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

As we mentioned previously, the cost of painting kitchen cabinets can either be extremely cheap or surprisingly costly. If you’re wondering what the cost range of painting an entire set of kitchen cabinets is, it’s between $394 and $1,254. What is the average cost to paint kitchen cabinets? With all of the aforementioned materials taken into account (paint, primer, sandpaper, painter’s tape, brushes, rollers), the average cost of a kitchen cupboard makeover is around $764.

This might be exactly what you were estimating, below what you thought it would be, or far higher than you expected. Regardless, painting kitchen cabinets are by far the cheapest renovation to your home, which is amazing considering that it is one of the most highly trafficked spaces inside any home, and the upgrade will likely last you for years to come.

 

Estimated Cost of Materials and Labor

Materials and labor are what make up pretty much all of the costs associated with painting kitchen cupboards. How much should you be looking to spend on materials though? Well, this depends on the quality and quality of paint, primer, sandpaper, and anything else you will need. Generally speaking, though, you can expect to spend between $200 and $600 on materials.

When it comes to labor things can get expensive too. Remember that you won’t pay any labor costs should you choose to paint your cupboards yourself (obviously) but you will end up spending more time than a team of professionals, and you might not do as good of a job. How much would a contractor charge you to paint your cupboards then?

Contractors tend to charge around $3 and $10 per square foot of cupboard space, but this includes the cost of materials used. Keep in mind that intricately shaped cabinets and cabinets in poor condition take longer to prepare/repair before the paint can be applied, which means increased costs to you in terms of hourly labor.

As for the exterior (the part you will actually see), contractors can charge you per furnishing face. For example, large faces like cupboard doors could run you around $100, whereas smaller faces like a drawer or cabinet could be anywhere between $25 and $75 per face. As you can see, extremely large kitchens can get expensive to paint very quickly.

 

Can You Reduce Your Costs?

It is entirely possible to make a reduction in your cost when painting the kitchen cupboard. There are a number of little things that really add up over time that will ensure you get the best value for your money while still enabling you to achieve the best finish possible. That being said, how do you cut costs when renovating your kitchen cupboards?

For one, you can ensure that you have the exact surface area for all of the surfaces you intend to paint so you don’t have to buy a drop more than you need. Secondly, ensure that the material your cupboards are made of are capable of handling both the primer and the paint you have chosen to use before you purchase and/or apply them.

A good way to ensure that you save a couple of dollars is to gather your own tarps. You can make use of some old sheets or simply tape together old newspapers using some painter’s tape. This can save you some money and a trip to the store, or having to pay for the tarp paper that the professionals you have hired brought with them.

Another good habit is to use decent-quality paint that suits the aesthetic you’re going for. While high gloss might seem fancy and super high-end, it might not suit your look, and it’s quite expensive. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t find good quality muted tone paint at a reasonable price, so do some shopping around and see what you come up with.

 

Hiring Professionals vs. DIY

Hiring professionals can be expensive, after all you’re paying for labor and the materials they’re bringing with them. Virtually all contractors will charge you per hour and the size of the surface area you’re having them paint to, which adds up quickly. However, there are some advantages to using professional painters. Unlike DIY, your time is your own. Leaving it to the pros means explaining what you want, then quoting you a price, and then proceeding to do a professional job. They have the tools and expertise to rectify any mistakes, and more manpower means your job gets done much faster compared to you doing it on your own.

DIY means that you will have to shop for all of your various materials, cart them home (or have them delivered), prepare your workspace, remove your cupboard doors, prepare their surfaces, sand them, prime them, and paint them all on your own. Essentially, the money you’re saving on labor is being replaced by quite a bit of elbow grease and your personal time.

On the other hand, if you decide that you no longer like an aspect of your design halfway through you can simply change it. You can also pick the color, tone, and finish of your paint personally while shopping around for the best deal. Finally, and a largely overlooked aspect of DIY, is the satisfaction of knowing you did it all on your own, in your own way!

 

Now that you know why it’s a good idea to paint the surface of your kitchen cupboards, what you will need, how much it will cost, and the pros and cons of both DIY and hiring professionals, it’s time for you to get out there and put your newfound knowledge to the test! Remember to always wear the appropriate personal protective gear when working with paint, primer, and power tools.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What Is the Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Professionally?

If you have a busy lifestyle and/or aren’t quite into DIY, you might be wondering about getting a professional painter in. What does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets professionally? It can cost anywhere between $700 and $1,250.

 

Is It Expensive to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

It can get expensive if you have irregular surfaces or if you have a lot of cabinets that need to be painted. If you have a reasonably small kitchen, you can probably get the job done on your own without spending more than around $800.

 

Is It a Good Idea to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

Older cabinets can begin to look a bit boring over time, and most of them tend to be solid wood boards that can easily be painted. If you know what you’re doing and plan the project well, we think it can be a fun and fulfilling activity!