Painting kitchen cabinets vs. replacing them: what's the real difference?

Most kitchens we see don't need new cabinets. They need the boxes they have, in a color that isn't 2004, with a finish that's actually smooth.

Cost and time

New cabinets for a typical kitchen run $15,000 to $40,000 installed and put your kitchen out of commission for weeks. Refacing runs $8,000 to $15,000. Painting the cabinets you have runs $3,500 to $7,500 and takes five to seven working days, during which you keep using your kitchen because the doors are off site in our shop.

When painting makes sense

Solid wood or plywood boxes in good shape, doors that close, and a layout you like. Oak, maple, and previously painted cabinets are all good candidates. If the boxes are sagging, water-damaged, or the layout is the problem, paint won't fix that.

Why sprayed matters

Brushed cabinet paint shows every stroke and chips at the edges. We spray a catalyzed enamel after a full degrease, scuff sand, and bonding primer. It cures hard, cleans like a factory finish, and holds up to hands and dishwashers.

Laminate and thermofoil

Sometimes. We look at those in person; some take a bonding primer well and some don't hold paint long-term, and we'd rather tell you no than paint something that fails.

Send us a photo of your kitchen and we'll tell you whether it's a good candidate.