How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets? A Complete Guide

When your kitchen cabinets start to fade or paint becomes chipped, fully replacing the kitchen cabinets is one way to go. But this is a costly process that may not be necessary if the cabinets are in relatively good condition. Instead, consider painting your kitchen cabinets.

Painting kitchen cabinets can cost between $422 to $1,421, or $901 on average. The cost to paint kitchen cabinets can fluctuate based on the size of the cabinets, the cabinet material, the local labor rate, and several additional factors.

Material Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

The cost to paint kitchen cabinets can vary depending on the type of cabinet material. Common options include wood cabinets, wood veneer cabinets, laminate cabinets, and MDF cabinets.

• Wood cabinets are tough, durable, and have a natural wood grain that makes the kitchen cabinets stand out. If the existing wood cabinets have already been painted, stained, or sealed then plan to purchase sandpaper to remove the existing wood sealer and ensure the paint adheres properly. Additionally, you may need to buy a chemical paint de-glosser for about $10 to $20 to prepare the wood cabinets for painting.
• Wood veneer cabinets are made to mimic the appearance of wood, but you’ll need to purchase wood glue at about $10 per bottle to repair any chips or cracks in the material. You’ll also want to buy primer at about $45 per gallon to ensure that the paint adheres well to the wood veneer.
• Laminate cabinets will typically need to be sanded and a primer will have to be applied to get the best results when painting the cabinetry. This can add between $5 to $10 for sandpaper and between $20 to $80 for a laminate primer.
• Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) cabinets are one of the more costly kitchen cabinet materials to prep for painting. You’ll need to seal the porous edges of the MDF and then prime the cabinets with an oil-based primer. Add about $10 to the budget for the drywall joint compound to seal the cabinets and an additional $30 to $60 per gallon for oil-based primer.

Labor Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Hiring professional painters to update the kitchen cabinets is a good choice. Skilled pros will be able to complete this job in a couple of days, including prep work, priming, painting, and cleanup.

Typically, professional painters will charge about $20 to $50 per hour, but in dense, urban locations where the demand for this is higher, the cost can increase to as much as $100 per hour. Generally, the labor costs will account for about 85 percent of the cost to paint kitchen cabinets, so be sure that you are happy with the company or contractor you hire.

DIY Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Painting the cabinets yourself can significantly reduce the cost to between $200 to $600, or an average of about $400. The cost to paint kitchen cabinets can vary depending on the type of paint, type of cabinet, and the size of the cabinetry.

If you choose to DIY this job, you’ll need to prepare kitchen, including setting up the space, stripping, sanding, removing appliances, removing doors, and pulling out drawers.

• Site preparations should start with cleaning the cabinetry and surrounding area. Once the space is clean, cover the countertops, floor, nearby appliances, and sinks with plastic drop cloths. Use painters tape to hold the plastic in place while you work.
• Stripping and sanding may be necessary if the existing cabinetry has previously been painted, stained, or sealed. Sandpaper will add about $5 to $10 to the total budget, while a chemical stripping agent can cost as little as $7 or as much as $50, depending on the brand and product size.
• Removing the appliances, cabinet doors, and cabinet drawers is relatively straightforward, though it’s recommended to have a second person available to move heavy appliances and objects out of the room. Use a screwdriver to remove the cabinet doors, then put the doors and hardware aside in a safe location for reinstallation.

Factors That Impact Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Paint Type

Generally, one gallon of paint will cover about 350 square feet. A standard gallon of paint will cost about $15 to $50, while a gallon of paint from a premium brand can cost between $50 to $100.

If you want a glossy finish, you’ll need to spend about $2 extra per gloss level, so paints with a high gloss finish will typically cost more than paints with a matte or eggshell finish.

Latex-based paint is relatively affordable, ranging in cost from about $15 to $50 per gallon. Acrylic paint is similarly priced, with a gallon of acrylic paint costing about $15 to $50. Oil-based paint is more expensive than latex-based or acrylic, at about $20 to $80 per gallon.

Kitchen Cabinet Size

Generally, painting a cabinet will cost about $3 to $10 per square foot, or about $30 to $60 per linear foot, including the cost of supplies, materials, and labor.

Some contractors may choose to charge based on the sections of cabinetry. On average, it can cost $100 per door, $25 per drawer, and between $75 to $150 per cabinet, depending on the size, type of paint, and cabinet material.

Kitchen Cabinet Condition

Damaged cabinetry that is cracked, chipped, missing hardware, or has peeling paint will need to fixed before it can be painted. On average, cabinet repairs will cost about $130 to $470, depending on the extent of the damage.

If the painters need to remove the existing finish, then this can add between $600 to $1,500 to the overall project cost.

Hardware

Depending on the design, new cabinet hardware usually costs less than $100, but could increase to over $1,000 for high-end or antique options, if you choose to replace the hardware.

Why You Should Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Replacing kitchen cabinets will update your kitchen, but it can cost about $6,000 to complete. Painting the kitchen cabinets is a more affordable solution that can refresh your kitchen more quickly. A professional paint job can increase the life of the existing cabinets, allowing you to put off a full cabinetry replacement project for several years.

Not only will this painting project increase the appeal of the kitchen, but it can also boost the value of the home. Just make sure to hire a professional painter to get the best possible finish if the goal is to increase the home value.