Painting kitchen cabinets can completely transform the look of your kitchen. However, it can also be a big investment depending on how much surface area needs to be painted. Here is an in-depth look at how much you can expect to pay painters to paint your kitchen cabinets.
Factors That Influence Cost
Several key factors will impact how much painters charge for painting kitchen cabinets:
Scope of Work
The size of the job will significantly affect the cost. Painting cabinets in a small galley kitchen will cost much less than painting cabinets in a large, open concept kitchen. The number of cabinets, how tall they are, and how accessible they are (e.g. high wall cabinets) will all impact the amount of labor required.
Cabinet Material
The material the cabinets are made of will also affect the price. Paint adheres differently to wood, laminate, and thermofoil cabinets. More preparation work may be needed for laminate and thermofoil surfaces.
Paint Type
Painters will charge more for specialty cabinet paints like enamel and lacquer paint, which provide a more durable finish. Standard latex paint tends to be the most affordable option.
Staining vs Painting
Staining cabinets adds on an extra step and more materials, making it more expensive than painting. Refinishing cabinets with stain allows more of the wood grain to show through.
Doors and Drawers
Taking doors and drawers off the cabinets requires extra time and labor, which adds cost. Some painters charge per door/drawer. Keeping them attached saves money.
Color Change
Switching cabinet colors entirely requires applying primer and multiple paint coats to achieve full coverage. Touching up the existing color costs less.
Average Costs
On average, expect to pay the following for a painter to paint kitchen cabinets:
- Standard Cabinets: $2,000 to $4,500
- Premium Cabinets: $4,500 to $8,000
Here are some average price ranges based on specific project factors:
- Staining: $50 to $150 per cabinet door
- Painting: $35 to $100 per door
- Paint Only: $2 to $6 per square foot
- Small Kitchen (10 cabinets): $500 to $1,500
- Medium Kitchen (15 cabinets): $1,000 to $3,500
- Large Kitchen (25+ cabinets): $3,000 to $7,000
Cost Factors Per Job
- Cabinet Prep: $200 to $800
- Primer: $50 to $150
- Paint: $100 to $200
- Labor: $20 to $70 per hour
- Travel Fees: $25 to $150 roundtrip
DIY vs Professional
Some homeowners opt to save money by painting their cabinets themselves. This can work well for small kitchens. However, for larger kitchens it requires an experienced hand to get high quality, professional looking results.
Hiring professional painters for kitchen cabinets typically costs $2,000 to $4,500 on average. Doing it yourself with high quality cabinet paint costs $200 to $1,500, but requires more time and labor.
Pro painters have the skills, tools and experience to paint cabinets smoothly and evenly. They also know techniques for keeping overspray contained. DIY projects may have a less uniform finish.
Tips for Hiring a Pro Painter
Follow these tips when hiring professional painters to paint kitchen cabinets:
- Get at least 3 quotes from painters or painting companies to compare pricing.
- Verify they are licensed, bonded and insured.
- Ask how they prep and apply cabinet paint for the best finishes.
- Request pictures of recently painted kitchen cabinets they completed.
- Use paint brands they recommend to get warranty coverage.
- Get a written contract with specifics – colors, paint brands, payment terms, warranty, etc.
- Ask if they offer small repairs or prep extras like removing old caulking.
- Request references and read online reviews.
- Avoid large down payments. Pay half upfront and the remainder only after cabinets are properly painted.
Conclusion
Painting kitchen cabinets can cost anywhere from $500 for a small DIY job to over $8,000 for professionally painting premium cabinetry in a large kitchen. On average, expect to invest around $2,000 to $4,500 to hire a qualified painter to transform the look of your kitchen by painting the cabinets. Consider the size of the job, cabinet materials, and your style preferences when budgeting for this project. With the right prep work and application techniques, fresh painted cabinets can give your kitchen an amazing new look that lasts.