Three ways to do it
| Method | Cost (average kitchen) | Finish and durability |
|---|---|---|
| Brush-and-roll in place | $1,500–$3,000+ | Acceptable look with some texture; durability is the weak point |
| Spray doors and drawers, brush the boxes | $5,000–$6,000+ | Smooth doors, good durability |
| Spray everything | $6,500–$8,000+ | Premium, close to new factory cabinets |
By kitchen size, Barbour Painting lists $1,500–$2,500+ for 10–18 doors and drawers, $2,500–$3,500+ for 18–28, and $3,500–$5,000+ for 28–40. A two-tone kitchen with an island runs $4,000–$6,000+.
Prep is most of the job
- Remove and label doors, drawer fronts and hardware.
- Degrease thoroughly; kitchen grease is the most common reason cabinet paint fails.
- Scuff-sand the old finish so primer can grip.
- Prime with a bonding primer; oak usually needs grain filling or extra primer if you don't want the grain to show.
- Two finish coats in a hard enamel, sprayed or brushed, with light sanding between coats.
- Cure before rehanging and heavy use; ask the painter how long their product needs.
Paint, reface or replace?
Painting makes sense when the boxes are solid plywood or hardwood, the layout works, and you only want a new color. Refacing (new doors and veneer on the boxes) or replacement is the better call if doors are warped, boxes are damaged, or you want a different layout. Those are remodel projects rather than painting jobs; Walnut Creek Kitchen & Bath covers kitchen remodeling.
Questions to ask a cabinet painter
- Will doors be sprayed off-site or in the house, and how will the kitchen be protected?
- Which primer and finish, and is the finish made for cabinets?
- Are the insides of doors and the cabinet interiors included?
- How long until doors are rehung and the kitchen is usable?
Painting the rest of the room too? See interior painting and the full cost guide.
Questions homeowners ask
How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?
Barbour Painting lists $1,500–$2,500+ for a small kitchen (10–18 doors and drawers) up to $4,000–$6,000+ for a kitchen plus a two-tone island. Endure Painting puts brush-and-roll at $1,500–$3,000+ and fully sprayed kitchens at $6,500–$8,000+.
Is spraying cabinets better than brushing?
Spraying leaves a smoother, factory-like finish and, by Endure's account, better durability, but it costs more because doors come off and the kitchen has to be masked or the doors finished elsewhere. Brush-and-roll is cheaper and faster, with visible texture and a less durable finish.
How long until I can use my kitchen?
Paint dries in hours but takes longer to fully cure. Ask the painter about the specific product's cure time, and treat doors gently for the first weeks.
Sources
- Endure Painting: cost to paint kitchen cabinets in the Bay Area contractor pricing
- Barbour Painting (Concord): Bay Area painting prices contractor pricing
Contractor price pages are published pricing from individual painting companies, not quotes. Your price can land below or above these ranges.