How much does it cost to spray paint kitchen cabinets

If you are looking to paint kitchen cabinets, 2 Cabinet Girls has been specializing in painting kitchen cabinets since we started and this is the question we hear the most, “How much will it cost to paint my cabinets?” We have always been as honest and transparent as possible about our pricing and process, even though our competitors try to use it against us 🙂

Although no two painting projects are the same, and your needs may differ from our average, we can tell you what we’ve been seeing over the past year.

Kitchen Cabinet Painting Cost

In 2020, the average cost of the hundreds of cabinet painting jobs we finished was $2,999.72.

The national average, according to Thumbtack was $1,700 – $7,000 for a painting professional.

The size of our average job is difficult to figure because there are so many variables. Most of those jobs were exactly what you would expect, but some had extras added like a pantry or a bathroom vanity. We don’t price out jobs by linear foot or square foot, but by the number of cabinet doors and drawers.

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Some of the things that can influence painting quotes are the type of paint (obviously you want a high quality paint), does it include a topcoat (most of the time you don’t need this, but it depends on your situation), your cabinet design (some are more ornate than others), what condition the old paint or original finish is in, is the quote for latex paint, is it part of a bigger remodeling project, etc.

The Cost of Hand Painting Cabinets

We also offer two different levels of painting. The first, and less expensive option is where the cabinet doors and drawer faces are taken back to our shop and professionally sprayed in our spray booth and the remaining cabinet boxes are painted in-place by hand.

The advantage to having our painters come in and set up for a day, is that you don’t ever lose the use of your kitchen. Although the day the painters are there with their drop cloths it’s best to stay out of the way, by dinner time you can cook away in relative normalcy.

Since our overall average for our 2020 jobs was about $3,000, I would say that the average cost for repainting your kitchen cabinets would be $2,750 – $3,250.

Although our professional cabinet painters are amazingly talented and leave almost no brush strokes behind, some people ask for a fully sprayed kitchen when they decide to repaint.

The Cost of Fully Sprayed Cabinets

For customers who don’t want any hand painting, we can send in the on-site spray team. The on-site spraying usually takes four days. They start cleaning, sanding and prepping on day one, and then as soon as that is finished they start putting up plastic to protect countertops and everything else from overspray.

Putting on multiple coats of primer and multiple coats of paint and waiting for all of it to dry takes time, and there’s no way to speed up the process. When you spray paint, you have to allow it to dry fully before the next coat or else it may not set up properly.

The prep (including masking) can be very time consuming depending on the square footage needed to be protected and also leaves you kitchen mostly unusable for those days. Removing all the plastic and tape is also time consuming, but you are left with what is basically brand new, factory finished cabinetry as your new look.

The average cost for a full spray job is roughly double the cost of the hand painted option. For most fully sprayed kitchens, you should set your expectations to start around $5,000 and go up from there. For high-end homes this seems like a simple choice.

When you are pricing out a paint job always as the painting contractor about the paint colors you’re interested in, because that can be both a time and price factor. Different paint colors need different colored primer. Paint costs have been on the rise lately along with lumber prices.

The Cost to DIY Paint Cabinets

We’ve written 2 posts already on how to paint your own cabinets and the total cost of painting your own cabinets (along with some optional additional costs) if you’re handy homeowners. You can even rent a paint sprayer if you’re really adventurous, although I wouldn’t advise it unless you’ve sprayed paint before.

Regardless of your DIY project skills, no home improvement project gives you more bang for your buck that having professional painters repaint your cabinets. Cabinet refinishing or refacing is always at the top of the yearly lists for homeowners who want a great return on investment. Certainly when compared to buying new cabinets it’s a no-brainer.

The  national average cost to paint kitchen cabinets ranges from $890-$1,500, depending on many factors. Most homeowners pay around $1,200, but costs can reach as high as $3,444-$4,000. Paint quality, cabinet design and size and the painting method all affect the total cost of the project. 

Read the video transcript.

Kitchen cabinet painting costs:

National average cost

$1,200

Average cost range

$890-$1,500

Low-end cost

$73-$120

High-end cost

$3,444-$4,000

Repainting kitchen cabinets may seem like a fit-for-DIY job, but it’s a tricky, time-consuming project. Cabinets in rough shape usually require a primer and a few coats of paint, and hours (and material costs) can quickly add up. We’ll break down what impacts the cost of painting kitchen cabinets so you can put together a budget for your project.

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Cabinet repainting costs

Terry Gardner, the owner of Southern Cal Colors in Gardena, California, says it costs about $900 to repaint cabinets in a small to medium-size kitchen. He says that, in some cases, it takes more time to prepare a client’s existing kitchen cabinets to be painted than to actually do the cabinet painting.

How much does it cost to spray paint kitchen cabinets

Preparation may include cleaning, sanding, patching and minor repairs — all of which add to the overall cost. Gardner also applies a primer coat to all surfaces to be painted. He also recommends that cabinets get at least two coats of paint after the primer, especially when using water-based (acrylic or latex) paint.

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Hiring a professional to paint your kitchen cabinet will cost anywhere from around $45-$55 per hour. However, some cabinet painters may set their prices based on the total linear feet or square footage of cabinets that need to be painted.

Related: How to remodel your kitchen cabinets.

Cost to spray paint kitchen cabinets

Chris Botta, owner of Affordable Cabinet Refinishing in Phoenix, Arizona, charges $38 per linear foot of cabinetry for spray painting cabinets. 

Spray painting involves painting a client’s cabinets in place rather than removing all hardware, cabinet doors and drawer faces. Southern Cal Colors owner Gardner sprays in place, too (when he can). However, it's sometimes necessary to remove some doors and drawer faces to apply primer and paint, especially in smaller kitchens with less room to maneuver.

Cost to paint kitchen cabinet doors

Removing and painting cabinet doors costs on average $2,000-$8,000 nationwide, depending on the size of the kitchen, the amount of detail work and the paint quality. If spraying in place is not an option, the professional painter will likely use a combination of a paint sprayer and a roller and will brush the cabinet boxes, removing doors and drawer faces and spraying them outdoors or in another space, such as a garage.

How much does it cost to spray paint kitchen cabinets

Cabinet paint costs

Using higher-quality paint (or just a more expensive brand) for your painting project can add a few hundred dollars to the total cost. It’s a good idea to consult with a professional painter about the wear and tear the kitchen cabinets will need to withstand before deciding on a higher-end paint. Most pros can then advise accordingly on the best finish and quality of paint.

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What impacts the cost to paint kitchen cabinets?

Painters will often keep two factors in mind when estimating the cost of painting your kitchen cabinets: the size of your kitchen and the layout of your cabinets.  

Kitchen size 

The square footage of the kitchen generally dictates the number of linear feet of cabinets that need to be painted. Some professional painters charge by the linear foot — anywhere from $30-$60 — while others charge per cabinet box, door, drawer face, etc.

Your kitchen's size also affects material costs. The bigger the kitchen, the more paint you’ll have to purchase and the more drop cloths you'll need to cover the space. A bigger kitchen with more cabinets may also drive up your labor costs.

Cabinet layout

Your kitchen and cabinet layout may add complexity to a paint job. Tight angles, cabinets installed in corners that have double-hinged doors and other constricted spaces can make it difficult for painters to paint cabinet doors or drawer faces without knocking against other surfaces. Some professional painters will charge extra in labor costs for tricky or tight layouts if they have to remove doors to paint them in another location and reattach them later.

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FAQs

Is it cheaper to replace or paint cabinets?

Painting kitchen cabinets is almost always cheaper than completing replacing your cabinets.

Is it worth it to paint kitchen cabinets?

Painting your kitchen cabinets offers several benefits. The first one: it can help increase your home's value.  If you plan to sell your home in the future but your cabinets are chipped, worn out and have an unattractive color, repainting them is a great way to make them look like new while attracting potential buyers. 

The second benefit: it's cheaper than replacing cabinets. You'll save money by repainting your cabinets instead of removing them, choosing a different material, building custom cabinets, replacing the doors and knobs, and more. 

How long will painted cabinets last?

Kitchen cabinets can last up to 50 years, but you'll likely need to add a fresh coat of paint. Depending on the type of paint you use, how well you maintain your cabinets, wear and tear, and the overall quality of the paint job, you may need to repaint your kitchen cabinets every couple of years.

What is the best color to paint cabinets in kitchen?

A 2018 Zillow analysis found that white or light colored upper cabinets with dark navy or black lower cabinets (aka "tuxedo cabinets") sell for a $1,547 premium.

Other popular kitchen cabinet paint colors include varying shades of white, eggshell, grey, blue, yellow, orange and natural wood colors.

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Video transcript: How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?

"For an average kitchen cabinet, I will say it's around the $2,300 to $2,500. It depends on the detail in the process. Some things that can impact the price of painting your cabinets will be the condition of your cabinets, how much prep they need, the kind of products that we will use and, of course, the size. 

When I'm creating an estimate, I consider the detail that they want so that will tell me how much labor. So, we're going to charge for labor ... type of paint that we would use, what kind of quality so that will give me a price as well.

A job usually will take around four or five days, two or three guys and they work eight hours a day.

I always do estimates in person. I don't like to give prices by pictures because I like to talk to the customer and see exactly what they want -- because everybody's different and everybody is looking for something different -- so I can give them a fair price for what they want."

Resources: National Home Improvement Estimator, National Construction Estimator.

Is spray painting kitchen cabinets a good idea?

For an extra smooth and professional-looking finish, many paint experts recommend spray painting kitchen cabinets. This method can be easier than working with a paintbrush and roller, but it takes some time and practice to really get the hang of it.

Is it worth it to have kitchen cabinets professionally painted?

If you're feeling anxious about painting your cabinets yourself, you might want to consider having them professionally painted. Professional painters have the skills and expertise to get the job done as quickly as possible, while making sure the final result is one you'll be happy with.

How long do spray painted kitchen cabinets last?

With proper care of professionally painted kitchen cabinets, you can expect your newly painted cabinets to last 8-10 years!

Is it better to paint or spray kitchen cabinets?

Ideally, spray painting cabinets is the most sought after method today. The quality of finish you get from using a spray gun is second to none, and it's by far a faster and more efficient method.