Portland’s ever-changing weather and overcast skies can leave many homeowners seeking a fresh and uplifting change in their living spaces, especially in the kitchen. Getting your kitchen cabinets professionally painted is a great way to rejuvenate your kitchen, while protecting your cabinets with quality paint. But, how much does it actually cost to paint kitchen cabinets?
On this page you’ll find a detailed overview of what you need to consider when estimating the cost to hire a professional painter for your kitchen cabinets.
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As kitchen cabinet painters, we take multiple factors into consideration when we calculate painting cost. When it comes to cabinets, we consider the size, cabinet condition, materials needed, and so much more. (We get into more details about these factors below.)
We believe in full transparency. Here is a real cabinet painting quote. Note the amount of detail that we include in this quote, including a video. A detailed scope of work video is standard for our projects.
Need some cabinet repainting inspiration? And curious what we charge for kitchen cabinet painting? We believe in full transparency. Check out five projects we’ve completed along with what it would cost to execute them in 2024:
How big is your kitchen? One of the most significant pricing factors for painting kitchen cabinets lies in the linear footage of your cabinets. You may think of this as square footage, but it’s quite different. When we measure, we look at the entire length down each set of cabinets (uppers and lowers) as well as the outer perimeter of the island.
Our process is very formula-driven, ensuring consistent quotes from home to home and project to project. The final quote, when looking at the size, is based upon production rates. This, essentially, is the number of linear feet we can complete per hour of time.
Long story short: The larger the kitchen, or the more cabinets you have, the higher the cost of painting will be due to increased material and labor requirements.
Does your cabinetry have prior paint jobs or clear finishes? Whether your cabinets are previously painted or have a clear finish can increase the amount of preparatory work needed for painting like sanding and priming. Additionally, certain types of wood like open grain (oak) or smooth (maple) can have an impact on the duration and labor involved in the painting preparation process. Does the surface of your cabinets have a thick buildup of grease? Removal of this film can require stripping and extra attention to your cabinets before they can be painted.
Are you considering changing up your cabinet hardware? Changing handles and hinges can modernize the look of your cabinets, adding to the bright new aesthetic of your kitchen. However, changing hardware typically involves drilling new holes and patching old ones, which will add to the project’s cost.
How should your paint be applied? The choice between spraying or hand painting the cabinet boxes can influence the cost of updating your cabinets. Spraying provides a smoother finish but may require more setup and cleanup time, whereas hand painting is more labor-intensive. Each approach will factor uniquely into the project’s pricing. This is a decision that’s made at the beginning of the quote process.
Updating your cabinets takes space! If you have a garage or a similar work space available for spraying doors and drawers, it can reduce the cost and complexity of the project. Otherwise, having to transport them away from the work site for spraying might add to the price of repainting your kitchen cabinets.
Looking to make a statement? The number of colors you choose for your cabinet repainting venture can impact the price. Multiple colors often mean more labor and materials. We do provide color consultation services and can help guide you toward the perfect shades for your kitchen.
The paint type you select for your kitchen cabinet update (water-based, oil-based, hybrid, lacquer, conversion varnish, 1k, 2k) will also impact the cost of your painting project. Like the color of the paint, we will discuss the different options with you when determining the needs of the project. When we meet and inspect your cabinets, we will know exactly what type of paint is most suitable for your kitchen cabinets.
How much does the inside of the cabinets matter to you? Kitchen cabinets get a lot of use, and the interior can matter as much as the exterior. While we take care of repairs, adding paint to the interior is often a consideration. It’s important to improve the durability of the interior while also updating the aesthetic. That said, painting the interiors of cabinet boxes and drawers will add time and materials to the job.
Protect your investment! A clear protective finish over the new paint can enhance durability of your kitchen update but will add to the overall cost. While the paint we use is durable, adding that final layer is typically recommended, especially in highly trafficked kitchens.
Thinking about refreshing more than just your cabinets? If you’re considering painting walls or ceilings along with your cabinetry, this will increase the project’s scope and cost. Even opting for touch-ups of older paint requires additional work.
When it comes to painting cabinets, simply calculating square footage won’t give you an accurate cost. The condition and material of your cabinets, the number of doors and drawers, intricate details like hardware, and the need for extra prep work such as sanding or caulking all contribute to the overall price. The number of coats, types of paint, and the complexity of finishing work like handrails or risers are just a few additional considerations that ensure your project is quoted correctly and tailored to your specific needs.
If you’re looking to hire a professional painter for your cabinets, you likely are getting a few quotes. Make sure that you’re getting quotes from reliable companies. This is a great post about what to watch out for when hiring a painter: The Dangers of Hiring the Wrong Painter
