Painting Kitchen Cabinets: Cost-Effective Makeover

Painting your kitchen cabinets can be a great way to refresh your kitchen without the cost of a full renovation. The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets is $775, but this can vary depending on factors such as the size of your kitchen, the type of paint you choose, and whether you hire a professional or do it yourself. If you're thinking of tackling this project yourself, you can expect to spend between $200 and $600 on paint and supplies. On the other hand, hiring a professional will typically cost between $423 and $1,437, depending on the size and complexity of the job. So, before you start planning your kitchen makeover, it's worth considering your budget and whether you're up for the challenge of a DIY project or would prefer to leave it to the pros.

Cost of paint and supplies

The cost of paint and supplies for painting existing kitchen cabinets varies depending on the type of paint, the size of the kitchen, and the condition of the cabinets.

A single gallon of cabinet paint typically costs between $30 and $100, depending on the type and quality of paint chosen. A single gallon can cover 350 to 400 square feet of cabinets in a single coat, but two or more coats are often needed. In addition to paint, primer and a clear top coat are usually required.

For a small kitchen, the cost of paint and supplies can be as little as $200. For a larger kitchen, the cost can be significantly higher, especially if multiple coats of paint are needed. The type of paint chosen will also impact the cost, with flat or matte paints being the most affordable, and high-quality, glossy paints being the most expensive.

If the existing cabinets have already been painted, additional supplies such as sandpaper or a chemical paint deglosser may be needed to prepare the surface for the new paint. This can add $5 to $20 to the total cost.

If you are hiring a professional to paint your kitchen cabinets, they will typically provide their own supplies, which can save you the time and hassle of purchasing and sourcing the necessary materials.

Labour costs

The cost of hiring a professional to paint your kitchen cabinets will depend on several factors, including the size of your kitchen, the layout of your cabinets, and the quality of the paint you choose.

Professional painters typically charge between $20 and $50 per hour, but in areas with a higher cost of living, you might pay as much as $100 per hour. Some painters may also charge by the linear foot of cabinetry, with rates ranging from $30 to $60 per linear foot. The national average per kitchen cabinet painting project is $775 but can go as high as $2,500 for a large, luxury kitchen.

If you're looking to save money on labour costs, you can consider doing some of the prep work yourself. This includes tasks such as removing appliances, doors, and drawers, as well as site prep and cleaning. However, keep in mind that painting kitchen cabinets is a time-consuming and labour-intensive process, and hiring a professional can save you time and ensure a high-quality finish.

When calculating the total cost of painting your kitchen cabinets, don't forget to factor in the cost of materials such as paint, primer, brushes, rollers, and drop cloths. The cost of materials will depend on the type and quality of paint you choose, as well as the size of your kitchen.

Type of cabinets

There are four basic types of kitchen cabinets: base, wall or upper, tall, and specialty units. However, when it comes to purchasing kitchen cabinets, there are three main types to choose from: custom, semi-custom, and stock.

Custom cabinetry is built to fit your space. This option includes having a designer assess your space and style to create a kitchen that suits your needs. Custom cabinets are a great way to build a kitchen that fits your unique interior design style and any odd layout. Due to the extra labour and time required, custom cabinets are the most expensive option, starting at $500 per linear foot.

Semi-custom cabinets, also known as semi-stock, offer a large variety of custom features such as decorative additions, custom finishes, and the option to change dimensions. The cabinet boxes are delivered in standard sizes, but you can request tailored drawers, door fronts, and cabinet depth. Semi-custom cabinets are a more affordable alternative to custom cabinetry, starting at $150 per linear foot.

Stock cabinets are the most affordable option, starting at $80 per linear foot. They are pre-made and available in fixed sizes, which cannot be altered. While stock cabinets are less durable and tend to degrade over time, they are a practical choice if you're working with a limited budget or don't plan to stay in your current home for an extended period.

In addition to these three main types, there are also ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets, which come with a cheaper price tag but may have limited options in terms of material, size, finishes, and style. RTA cabinets require assembly, and their long-term durability may become an issue if not properly constructed and installed.

When choosing the type of cabinets for your kitchen, it's important to consider your budget, design preferences, functionality requirements, and the overall style you want to achieve.

Size of kitchen

The cost of painting existing kitchen cabinets will vary depending on the size of your kitchen. The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets is $775, but this can range from $200 for a small kitchen to $2,500 for a large, luxurious kitchen.

The size of your kitchen will also determine the cost of painting per square foot, which can be anywhere from $3 to $10. If you are hiring a professional painter, the cost will also depend on the local labor rate, which is usually between $$20 to $50 per hour but can be as high as $100 in areas with a higher cost of living.

• A single-story family home typically has an average kitchen size of 151 square feet.
• A multi-story family home usually has a larger kitchen, with an average size of 174 square feet.
• Homes between 3,000 and 3,999 square feet tend to have even larger kitchens, with an average size of 191 square feet.
• Apartment kitchens are often less than 100 square feet, but this can vary depending on the kitchen design.
• Mansion kitchens can be several hundred square feet and may even include two separate kitchens.
• Tiny home kitchens are very small, sometimes including just a fridge, a small stovetop, and a sink.
• Container home kitchens usually range from 80 to 150 square feet, depending on the size of the container.
• Bungalow kitchens tend to be smaller, with an average size of 161 square feet.

When calculating the cost of painting your kitchen cabinets, consider the size of your kitchen to get a more accurate estimate. The number of cabinets, their height, and any intricate details or carvings will also impact the overall cost.

DIY vs hiring a professional

Painting your kitchen cabinets is a great way to give your kitchen a fresh, new look without the expense of installing new cabinetry. You can choose to hire a professional or do it yourself, but there are pros and cons to each approach.

DIY

If you decide to paint your kitchen cabinets yourself, you'll need to consider the ideal cabinet finish, the type of paint, the colour, and whether to use spray paint or a brush. Oil-based paints create a more rigid surface and are more durable, but they can be challenging to work with due to the unpleasant smell and long drying time. Latex satin finish is a good alternative as it's easier to work with. Satin, gloss, or semi-gloss paints create harder, lasting finishes.

You'll also need to decide on the colour scheme. This can be inspired by art, accessories, furniture, or fixtures in the room. You can get paint chips from your local store and bring them home to see what works best. It's also important to choose high-quality paint to ensure the best results.

When it comes to application, spraying will result in a cleaner, smoother finish, but it requires covering the surrounding area to protect from splashing paint. Brushing is less complicated and works well for cabinets with simple designs.

Some tips for a DIY approach include:

• Taking your time with the process, including thoroughly cleaning your cabinets before painting.
• Buying quality supplies, as cheap brushes and rollers may compromise the finish and extend the project duration.
• Saving clean-up time by wrapping rollers in plastic bags and storing them in the refrigerator between painting sessions.
• Using painting pyramids to speed up the process by allowing you to paint both sides of cabinet doors without waiting for one side to dry.
• Ensuring proper lighting to avoid missing spots and creating an uneven finish.
• Using Bondo instead of wood filler to repair nicks and cracks.
• Applying multiple light coats rather than one heavy coat for the best results.

The DIY cost to paint kitchen cabinets is estimated to be between $200 and $600, with an average of about $400. However, this can vary depending on the type of paint, cabinet type, and size of the cabinetry.

Hiring a Professional

Hiring a professional cabinet painter can offer several advantages. Professionals have the skills and experience to get the job done right the first time, saving you from potential hassles and headaches. They also have the necessary equipment, such as expensive paint sprayers, which can cost $1000 to $8000.

Professional painters are also efficient and fast. They can complete the job in 2-3 days, whereas a DIY project could take weeks. Additionally, reputable professionals provide warranties for their work, ensuring any issues are addressed without additional cost during the warranty period.

The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets professionally is $30 to $70 per linear foot, or $2,000 to $6,500 total. This price includes paint materials and labour. The labour cost makes up about 80% to 85% of the total project cost, as it involves extensive prep work, priming, painting, and cleanup.

When deciding whether to hire a professional or go the DIY route, consider your budget, time constraints, and the level of quality and expertise you desire for the project.

Frequently asked questions