How much does cabinet painting cost? Expect to pay $1,500-$5,000 for professional cabinet painting in the Charlotte area. This guide breaks down exactly what you'll pay and why.
💰 Quick Price Reference
📊 What Affects Cabinet Painting Cost?
Number of Doors
Most significant factor. More doors = more labor. Per-door pricing makes estimates straightforward.
Cabinet Condition
Damage, grease buildup, and previous finishes require extra prep. Poor condition adds 20-40% to cost.
Paint Quality
Premium cabinet paints cost $50-85/gallon. Worth it for durability. Budget paints save $200-400 but last less.
Cabinet Material
Wood, MDF, laminate require different prep and primers. Laminate and thermofoil need bonding primer (adds cost).
Method: Spray vs Brush
Spraying costs more but produces factory-smooth finish. Brush/roller acceptable but shows some texture.
Cabinet Style
Flat/slab doors are fastest. Raised panel, shaker, and ornate profiles take longer to paint properly.
🚪 Per-Door Pricing
Most professionals price by the door or drawer front:
| Item | Price Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Door | $80 - $175 | $120 |
| Drawer Front | $40 - $100 | $65 |
| Face Frame (linear ft) | $15 - $35 | $25 |
| Cabinet Box Interior | $30 - $60 each | $45 |
| End Panels | $50 - $100 each | $75 |
| Crown Molding (linear ft) | $10 - $25 | $17 |
📋 Example Calculation
Typical kitchen with 25 doors + 10 drawers:
- 25 doors × $120 = $3,000
- 10 drawers × $65 = $650
- Face frames (30 LF) × $25 = $750
- Total: $4,400
💵 Labor vs Materials Breakdown
Why Labor Is High
- Door removal and numbering (1-2 hours)
- Deep cleaning and degreasing (2-4 hours)
- Sanding all surfaces (4-6 hours)
- Priming with 24-hour dry time
- 2-3 coats of paint with 24-hour dry times
- Sanding between each coat
- Hardware reinstallation (1-2 hours)
Materials Costs
| Primer (2-3 gal) | $100-$200 |
| Cabinet Paint (3-4 gal) | $200-$350 |
| Sandpaper, brushes, rollers | $75-$150 |
| Tape, drop cloths, misc | $50-$100 |
| Total Materials | $425-$800 |
⚖️ DIY vs Professional Costs
🔨 DIY Cabinet Painting
$400-$1,000- Save 60-80% on labor
- Work at your own pace
- Satisfaction of doing yourself
- Takes 5-10 days (weekends)
- Learning curve affects quality
- Tools/equipment rental costs
- No warranty if issues arise
👷 Professional Painting
$2,000-$5,000- Factory-quality finish
- Done in 3-5 days
- Proper prep and products
- Warranty on workmanship
- Higher upfront cost
- Scheduling availability
💡 When to DIY vs Hire
DIY if: You have time, patience, and are comfortable with painting projects.
Hire if: You want factory-smooth finish, quick turnaround, or have complex cabinets.
📝 Getting Accurate Quotes
What a Quote Should Include
- ✓ Itemized pricing (per door/drawer)
- ✓ Paint and primer brands specified
- ✓ Number of coats included
- ✓ Prep work scope (cleaning, sanding, filling)
- ✓ What's painted (doors, frames, boxes)
- ✓ Timeline for completion
- ✓ Warranty terms
Questions to Ask
- Do you spray or brush? What finish quality?
- What paint brands do you use?
- How many coats of primer and paint?
- Is hardware reinstallation included?
- What's your warranty?
- Can I keep my kitchen functional during project?
💡 Get 3 Quotes
Always get at least 3 quotes. Compare not just price, but scope, materials, and warranty. The cheapest isn't always the best value.
📊 Paint vs Replace Comparison
| Factor | Painting | Replacing |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $1,500-$5,000 | $15,000-$50,000 |
| Timeline | 3-7 days | 2-6 weeks |
| Kitchen Usable | Partially (no doors) | No (demo period) |
| Layout Change | No | Yes |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years | 20-30 years |
| ROI | Up to 70% | 50-60% |
Get Your Free Cabinet Painting Quote
No surprise costs, no pressure. Our detailed quotes include everything—materials, labor, and warranty.