How much does it cost to repaint kitchen cabinets?

Painting your kitchen cabinets is one of the easiest and least intrusive ways of renovating your kitchen. Not only does a new coat of paint freshen up the look of your cabinets, but it also adds more value and personality to your space. The most cost-effective way to paint your cabinets is to hire a professional painter for the job. The major expense with painting kitchen cabinets is equipment rental and paint. Here are the costs for the supplies you will need.

Paint: $4-$8 per gallon depending on brand, texture, and color. Paint will vary in price from one brand to another, be sure to shop around or have several people in your household offer opinions on paint cost as well as quality. For average-sized kitchens, a gallon of high-quality exterior wood-fill primer and two gallons of “eggshell” would suffice. For smaller kitchens, one gallon of primer may not suffice; a 3/4 or 1-pint kit (a large container) may be more suitable, depending on your decorating needs.

Paint Kitchen Cabinets

What factors affect the cost to paint kitchen cabinets?

• Painting over darker colors is more expensive than painting over lighter colors due to preparation and cleanup requirements. (A clean surface will ensure a crisp, uniform finish.)
• The size of the project will affect the cost. Smaller projects may require one gallon of primer, whereas a larger kitchen project may require two gallons.
• The use of solvents and thinner will cause the paint to cost more than conventional paint. If you choose to go with this option, be sure to use painted primer over your existing cabinets, similar in color and texture to your new paint job.
• Paint from the same manufacturer will vary in price depending on the season or time of day where you purchase your paint.

Painting with a professional painter is the most cost-effective way to repaint cabinets. Painting by hand is more labor-intensive and time-consuming but does not require rental equipment or specialty paints that can be very expensive. Painting by hand also requires more paint; a 3-ounce floor sample container holds approximately one gallon of paint when mixed at a ratio of four parts water to one part paint. Therefore, ten tins are necessary (at four cans per size) for an average size kitchen.

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Types of kitchen cabinets and their painting costs

• For average-sized kitchens, a gallon of primer and two gallons of “eggshell” works. A 3/4 or 1-pint kit (a large container) may be more suitable, depending on your decorating needs.
• First Quality paints are usually the most expensive type of paint to purchase. Brands like Behr or Sherwin Williams are typically more expensive than the usual low-end brand name paints like Benjamin Moore or Farrow & Ball. Higher quality paints do contain more pigment per square inch, which is why they are more cost-effective and last longer than paint with less pigment per square inch.
• Amateurs who want to repaint their kitchen cabinets will not necessarily need to invest in professional painting equipment.

Other factors to consider when painting your kitchen cabinets

Several factors can increase the cost of painting your kitchen cabinets. Most importantly, time. If you plan to do the job yourself, be sure to purchase enough paint for the job, which adds significantly to the cost.

In addition to purchasing professional equipment (outside sprayer, drop cloths), you should allow for additional time and money for scraping existing paint from cabinets and priming them before painting.

Make sure to prune your plants in advance so that no overhanging branches or leaves are in the way when you are moving equipment around.

Additional Costs and Considerations

• Painting interiors can be complicated and costly, especially when dealing with hard-to-reach places.
• Be sure to purchase enough paint to complete the job before purchasing a second gallon.
• Do not use a paint sprayer unless you already have one or if you want a smoother finish than roller-coated brushes can provide. (A smooth finish will not only make your cabinets look great, but will also save you money.)
• While the average homeowner does not need to spend money on primer and paint for their kitchen cabinets, there are certain circumstances that would call for professional painters working in your home. Painting over darker shades of wood will increase the cost of the project by as much as 10%.

Summary:

The average small-sized job with a typical one gallon of paint will cost $21.51

A small-sized job with two gallons of primer and two gallons of “eggshell” will cost $34.79

A large-sized job with two gallons of primer and one gallon of paint will cost $22.67

For a large-sized job that has a higher level of complexity (e.g., paint over darker shades of wood), the price is more likely $27.38

Painting over darker shades can increase a kitchen cabinet’s project by as much as 10%.