Introduction
Repainting your kitchen cabinets is one of the most cost-effective ways to give your kitchen a fresh, upgraded look without undergoing a full remodel. Depending on factors like cabinet size, condition, number of doors and drawers, and painting method, a DIY repaint can cost between $70-$500 for supplies. Hiring a professional can range from $500-$5,000+ depending on location and services included.
When calculating how much it will cost to repaint your kitchen cabinets, consider the following factors:
Prep Work Required
Proper prep work is crucial for a smooth, durable painted finish. This includes:
Cleaning
Thoroughly clean cabinet interiors and exteriors to remove grease, grime and residue. A degreaser or TSP substitute helps cut through built-up grease.
- Cost: $10-$30 for supplies
- Time: 2-3 hours for a small kitchen, longer for larger kitchens
Sanding
Lightly sand cabinets to degloss and roughen the surface for better paint adhesion.
- Cost: $20 for sandpaper
- Time: 3-6 hours
Repairs
Fix any water damage, rotted wood, missing hinges, drawer glides etc.
- Cost: Variable based on repairs needed
- Time: 1-3 hours
Removing Doors and Hardware
Removing doors, drawers and hardware prevents drips and overpainting and allows painting cabinet frames separately.
- Cost: $0 if DIY, $40-$100 per hour to hire
- Time: 1-3 hours
Paint and Supplies
The specific paint, tools and supplies required will impact the cost to repaint kitchen cabinets. Consider:
Paint Type
Options include:
- Latex/acrylic: Most affordable option at $20-$50 per gallon. Suitable for lightly worn cabinets.
- Alkyd/oil-based: More durable option at $35-$60 per gallon. Better for worn cabinets.
- Specialty cabinet paint: Offer superior adhesion and durability. Cost is $40-$80 per gallon.
Calculate 1-2 gallons for an average sized kitchen.
Paint Supplies
- Brushes & rollers
- Paint trays
- Sandpaper
- Painters tape
- Drop cloths
- Primer
- Deglosser/TSP
- Rags, paint thinner, etc.
Allow $30-$80 for supplies.
Spray Painting Equipment (optional)
Spraying requires an airless paint sprayer ($100-$200 rental), spray tents, masks, etc. Adds $200+ to costs.
Painting Method
You can paint cabinets using either a brush/roller or a paint sprayer. Method impacts cost and time requirements.
Brush/Roller Painting
Painting cabinets by hand takes more time but doesn’t require special equipment. Costs include:
- Labor if hiring a pro – Expect to pay $50-$100 per hour
- 2-3 coats of paint recommended, with 2-3 hours drying time per coat
- Total painting time 15-24 hours for an average kitchen
Doing it yourself saves on labor costs but requires a full weekend of work.
Spray Painting
Spraying goes faster than brushing but has added costs:
- Renting a sprayer – $100-$200
- Additional drop cloths, masks, paint tents
- 2 coats still recommended but can be applied faster
- Done in 6-12 hours vs 15-24 brushing
The convenience of spraying may balance out added costs of equipment.
Number of Cabinets
The number of cabinet doors, drawers and cabinet faces to be painted significantly impacts the amount of time and paint required. For example:
- Small kitchen with 10 cabinet doors/drawers – 5-8 hours painting
- Medium kitchen with 25 cabinets – 12-18 hours
- Large kitchen with 40+ cabinets – 20+ hours
Rule of thumb is to allot 6-8 hours for a professional to paint 10 cabinet doors. DIY will require more time.
Having more cabinets also means needing more primer and paint to cover them. Estimate 1-2 gallons for a medium kitchen, 2-3 gallons for a large kitchen.
Hiring a Professional vs DIY
The main tradeoff is time savings versus cost savings.
Professional Painter
Hiring a pro to repaint your kitchen cabinets offers advantages:
- Jobs completed in 6-12 hours vs 15-24 DIY
- Experienced with prep work and achieving smooth, consistent finishes
- Equipment, expertise for spray painting
- Average cost $500-$5000 nationwide depending on location and scope
However, professional painting is more expensive than a DIY job. Get multiple bids to find best value.
DIY Painting
Painting cabinets yourself costs a fraction of hiring a pro but requires:
- Committing a full weekend to the project or working nights/weekends
- Researching proper prep, painting technique to avoid errors
- Purchasing all necessary tools and supplies
- Advanced skills for spraying cabinets
- Average cost of $70-$500 depending on supplies, paint quality
DIY saves significantly but results depend heavily on your skill level.
Factors That Increase Painting Cost
Certain factors can quickly increase the cost of your kitchen cabinet paint job:
- Using premium or specialty cabinet paints rather than standard latex/acryloid adds $10-$20 per gallon.
- Opting to spray cabinets rather than brushing
- Replacing old cabinet doors/drawers with new ones
- Adding new hardware like knobs, pulls or hinges
- Replacing worn out tracks or glides on drawers
- Extensive repairs needed – filling holes, fixing water damage etc which all take more time
- Travel fees for contractors to come to remote locations
Consider limiting upgrades if seeking an affordable paint refresh.
Tips to Lower Your Costs
To save money on your kitchen cabinet painting project:
- Clean cabinets thoroughly yourself rather than hire a professional
- Sand lightly yourself instead of having a contractor do extensive sanding
- Use a mini-roller and brush instead of spraying if you DIY
- Use affordable latex or acrylic paint instead of specialty cabinet enamels
- Reuse existing hardware and only replace damaged pieces
- Work slowly and methodically to avoid drips requiring touch ups
- Get paint tinted at hardware store instead of pre-tinted cabinet paint
- Move appliances/cabinet contents yourself instead of paying contractor fees
- Compare quotes and look for painters running winter or new customer specials
Every bit of work you can tackle yourself helps reduce the cost.
Factors That Add Time
Certain factors can increase the time required to repaint kitchen cabinets:
Extensive Prep Work
- Removing multiple layers of old paint
- Fixing damaged or rotting wood
- Filling holes, gouges or cracks
Outdated Kitchen Layout
- Painting around soffits or dropped ceilings
- Cabinets with ornate trim or decorative elements
- Hard to reach corner cabinets or lazy susans
Numerous Cabinets/Doors
- Kitchens with more than 25 doors or multiple cabinet faces
Fancy Door Styles
- Doors with inlaid panels or grooved detailing require extra taping
- Doors with beveled edges need multiple coats to cover
DIY vs Professional
- DIY projects take longer due to learning curve
- Pros have specialized tools to speed application
Allow ample time in your schedule, especially for ornate or DIY projects.
Estimated Costs of Repainting Kitchen Cabinets
To summarize, you can expect to spend:
- $70-$150 for a simple DIY paint job in a small kitchen
- $200-$500 for a medium-sized kitchen if you DIY
- $500-$2,000 to have a professional painter refinish cabinets in a 10×10 kitchen
- $1,000-$5,000+ for a pro to paint large, ornate kitchen with 30+ cabinets
Get multiple quotes to compare rates for your specific kitchen. Most painters charge by the cabinet door/drawer with rates starting around $50 per door.
FAQs
Should I repaint or replace my kitchen cabinets?
If cabinets are structurally sound, repainting is an affordable way to refresh their look. Replacing costs $5,000-$20,000+. Repaint if cabinets just look old/dated but aren’t damaged.
What are the steps to repaint kitchen cabinets?
- Empty cabinets and remove doors/drawers
- Clean surfaces then sand to rough up existing finish
- Repair any damage or flaws
- Apply primer then topcoat(s) of cabinet paint
- Replace hardware then reinstall doors/drawers
Can I spray paint my kitchen cabinets?
Yes, using an airless paint sprayer allows you to repaint cabinets evenly and quickly. You need to tent off the area and use painter’s masks for safety. Renting a spray rig costs around $100-$200 per day.
How long does it take to repaint kitchen cabinets?
DIY projects take 15-24 active hours. Professional painters can refinish cabinets in 6-12 hours. Factors like cabinet number, prep work and painting method impact time.
Should I paint cabinet boxes separately from doors?
Yes, removing doors allows you to spray or brush frames easily. Paint doors laying flat to avoid drips. Reassemble once fully dry.
Conclusion
The cost to repaint kitchen cabinets ranges from a few hundred dollars for a DIY project up to several thousand for a professional overhaul. While repainting cabinets isn’t cheap, it costs a fraction of full cabinet replacement. With proper prep and application, you can revive the look of your kitchen for years to come. Use the tips above to minimize costs and get ready to enjoy a fresh, updated kitchen.