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While it might seem like a simple task, there are many things to know about painting cabinets that the average homeowner may overlook. The process includes prepping and priming the cabinets, choosing the paint and tools, and getting the timing right to ensure favorable temperature and humidity levels. It can be difficult for homeowners to pull off the job by themselves with so much to remember. While many homeowners are tempted to pick up a cabinet paint kit from the hardware store and paint their own cabinets without professional help, it’s easy to make mistakes or be left with an uneven finish. And when you’re looking at your cabinets close-up every day, those tiny mistakes can become huge eyesores. That’s why it’s much easier to rely on a professional cabinet painter to get the job done correctly.
It’s crucial to choose a reputable cabinet painting company or professional who will provide the best work for a reasonable price. It also pays to look for companies that offer painting warranties to cover the labor and paint job.
- BEST OVERALL: CertaPro Painters
- RUNNER-UP: 360 Painting
- ECO-FRIENDLY PICK: Five Star Painting
- BEST MULTI-PROJECT SERVICE: Ace Handyman Services
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Cabinet Painters
After contemplating whether you should paint your kitchen cabinets, it’s time to start looking for the right pro. When shopping around for the best cabinet painters, there are multiple factors for homeowners to consider. For those who have never hired for this task before, here’s an in-depth look at what to remember.
Service Area and Scheduling
To find a cabinet painter, customers can start by researching professionals within their geographic area. Not all painters are willing or able to travel far distances, so look for painters in the area who are available to come to the property.
When shopping around, inquire about a specific start date for the project. Most painters or painting services will be able to provide this so homeowners can begin planning. While customers may not get a firm end date, they can get the times the painters will work each day and a rough timeline of how long the project should take to complete. Project timelines will depend on the condition of the cabinets and the scale of the project.
Estimates and Pricing
Cabinet painting projects tend to vary in pricing due to several factors, including the room’s layout, the number of cabinets, and whether the project will be completed on-site. Customers looking to get their cabinets painted will likely need to receive an in-person estimate before a professional can begin the project.
Painters may charge for their work per day, square foot, or room. Hourly rates are around $20 to $50. Homeowners will want to account for extra time for both coats of paint and anything that could drag out the project, such as bad weather.
Painting Methods and Job Completion Time
The cabinet painting method depends on the customer’s desired finish and a painter’s preferred method. Standard painting methods include using a brush, a roller, or a paint sprayer. Different tools can produce varying styles, such as a distressed look or rich and saturated color.
Rather than hiring just any painter for the job; the chosen professional will need to know precisely how to paint kitchen cabinets. A kitchen cabinet painter will need to supply more equipment, understand the material of the cabinets they’re working with, and determine the cabinets’ quality and longevity. They’ll also be able to identify the best cabinet paint for a particular material.
Completion time will vary depending on the scale of the project and whether the kitchen cabinet painter works on- or off-site. Painting cabinets generally takes between a few days to a week.
Technician Insurance
Although it may be tempting to hire an uninsured painter who is offering cheaper rates, the decision can cost customers a much heftier fee in the long run should something go wrong during the project.
When hiring painters, customers will need to confirm that the chosen professional is bonded and carries liability insurance. This covers the painter in the event anything gets damaged in the home or if they get injured while on the job. Note that there are differences between painters who are employees of a company versus independent contractors; the latter will need to be insured individually, while a company will have general liability insurance that covers its employees.
Additional Services
When looking for a cabinet door painter, consider whether there are other projects to be completed besides the cabinets. If so, homeowners may consider booking someone who can handle all the projects, including knowing how to paint cabinet doors. For example, if someone is looking to install upgrades throughout their kitchen or bathroom, they may want to hire a handyman or one of the best kitchen remodeling companies who can complete all the desired jobs. Booking additional services at the same time can ultimately save a homeowner time and money, as they don’t have to coordinate with multiple professionals and varying schedules.
Guarantee
When looking for a cabinet painter, customers will want to find a professional who offers painting guarantees or warranties. There are two kinds of warranties available: a manufacturer warranty for paint and a contractor’s warranty for labor. Most paint comes with a standard manufacturer warranty should the paint be a faulty product. A contractor’s warranty usually lasts 2 years and covers the labor performed and the quality of the paint that the contractor supplies. This warranty protects homeowners from being ripped off due to poor handiwork. However, it’s important to discuss specifics such as what exactly the warranty covers, the length it’s good for, and what is defined as “defective.” Customers should also find out the exclusions which are not covered by the warranty. Generally, these exclusions include damage caused by the homeowner, peeling or cracking paint, and weather damage.
Customer Support
A good painter or painting service will be willing to answer any questions a homeowner may have and offer advice throughout the project. Good customer service shouldn’t stop just because a project is completed; helpful support should be provided as long as the project stands. Before proceeding with a kitchen cabinet painter, ask them how they will support a customer who has any inquiries or issues. It’s wise to search through reviews online or ask for references to find out how other customers’ experiences have been and what the final results of their project looked like. As long as they stand by their work, most painters or painting companies are willing to offer this information to customers to provide reassurance and secure the booking.
Our Top Picks
We researched numerous cabinet painting services on the market to find the best options for homeowners. After vetting companies for features like service area, additional services, service guarantee, and other important considerations, we narrowed our options to four businesses with the highest quality services.
Best Overall
CertaPro Painters
Why It Made the Cut:
CertaPro Painters earns a top spot thanks to its widespread availability, transparent pricing, and detailed project plans.
CertaPro Painters, founded in 1992, is the largest residential painting contractor in North America, with over 350 independently owned and operated franchises. The company offers a range of interior and exterior painting services, including cabinet refinishing and repainting. CertaPro Painters’ cabinet painting services allow homeowners to have cabinets stained or painted. Many CertaPro Painters (though not all) offer color consultations to find the best hue for a kitchen or bathroom’s aesthetic, and customers can check with their local branch to make sure this service is offered. CertaPro Painters has hundreds of franchised locations across 45 states; Washington, D.C.; and Canada. It provides a limited 2-year warranty on completing painting work that guarantees a repair for blistering, peeling, or chipping paint due to defective labor.
When hiring CertaPro, homeowners can expect to receive detailed project plans shared with all technicians on the team to promote an efficient workflow. Throughout the project, the company provides homeowners daily updates via their preferred method of communication—a beneficial feature when customers can’t use their kitchens and need to plan accordingly. CertaPro also has pricing guidelines on its website, making budgeting easier and offering ongoing customer support over the phone and through email.
Specs
- Service area: 45 states; Washington, D.C.; and Canada
- Additional services: Interior and exterior house painting
- Guarantee: 2-year warranty
- Customer support: Phone, email
Pros
- Detailed project plan created for every job
- Daily progress updates in person or via text message, phone call, or email
- Transparent pricing guide available online
Cons
- Some locations may not offer color consultations
Runner-Up
360 Painting
Why It Made the Cut:
360 Painting stands out for its one-of-a-kind 360-degree painting technique; free minor carpentry repair work; and free, no-obligation estimate appointments.
360 Painting’s professionals encourage homeowners to leave the tedious, detail-oriented job of painting cabinets to their team. The company takes special care in its approach to cabinet painting to ensure homeowners get what they want, whether it’s increasing the home’s value or transforming the kitchen’s look. Before hiring, customers can use 360 Painting’s online visualizer tool to test out different kitchen cabinet paint colors before committing. Customers can also call or go online to receive a free estimate on their project with no obligation to hire.
With over 7,000 projects under their belts, 360 Painting professionals have a tried-and-true process for giving homeowners a seamless cabinet paint job. The proprietary 20-step, 360-degree painting process—the company’s namesake—ensures superior results over other painting companies’ methods. In addition, 360 Painting offers free minor carpentry repairs.
The company operates in 38 states and offers customer support by phone and email. The 2-year painting warranty also covers defects due to faulty labor. While the photo gallery of past cabinet work is limited, customers can ask their local pros for more examples and references before entering a contract.
Specs
- Service area: 38 states and Washington, D.C.
- Additional services: Interior and exterior house painting
- Guarantee: 2-year warranty
- Customer support: Phone, email
Pros
- Proprietary 20-step, 360-degree painting process
- Online color visualizer tool
- Free minor carpentry repairs
Cons
- Online photo gallery is relatively limited
Eco-Friendly Pick
Five Star Painting
Why It Made the Cut:
Five Star Painting’s low- and zero-VOC paint options make it a top choice for eco-conscious homeowners. The company’s transparent pricing and commitment to quality are attractive features for any customer.
Five Star Painting provides environmentally friendly painting options for conscientious homeowners, including eco-friendly paint with low levels of biocides, fungicides, pigments, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Specifically, Five Star Painting has low-VOC and VOC-free paint options and takes special care to ensure proper ventilation in the project space. These paints leave fewer paint fumes during, immediately, and long after the paint application—which is a bonus for customers who are staying in the home during the project.
Five Star Painting services the majority of North America; its service locations include 37 U.S. states and territories of Canada. Its 2-year warranty covers peeling and blistering paint due to defective workmanship. As a Neighborly company, Five Star Painting also backs its work with the Neighborly Done Right Promise, which is a 30-day guarantee on all projects. Another great benefit to Five Star Painting’s work is the transparent fees. The professional will honor a homeowner’s quoted price and ensure that no surprises or additional costs are added to the final bill.
When evaluating Five Star Painting as a potential cabinet painting company to hire, it’s important for homeowners to understand the portfolio for cabinet painting does not change by location. Therefore, the website may not accurately represent the services a customer’s local branch offers. Speaking to a representative can help homeowners understand the options available in their geographic area and make a decision accordingly.
Specs
- Service area: 37 states and Canada
- Additional services: Interior and exterior house painting
- Guarantee: 2-year warranty
- Customer support: Phone, email, online chat
Pros
- Environmentally friendly low-VOC and VOC-free paint options offered
- Quote price honored and no surprise fees or additional costs added to final bill
- Commitment to high standard of workmanship
Cons
- Branch-specific cabinet painting services may differ from representations seen online
Best Multi-Project Service
Ace Handyman Services
Why It Made the Cut:
Ace Handyman Services stands out for its highly skilled and trustworthy technicians who can tackle additional home improvement projects alongside cabinet painting.
Ace Handyman Services provides a wide range of over 1,000 repair, improvement, and remodeling services with help from experienced professionals. The company employs technicians who have specialized knowledge and experience in one or two types of work, so they are an excellent choice for multi-project services. If you’re looking for “a la carte” home remodeling, repair, and renovation services, turn to Ace for timely, honest, conscientious services. Its service area spans 45 states, and customer support is available over the phone.
Homeowners can rest assured that technicians have complete background checks and consistently communicate before, during, and after projects to ensure homeowners can live their lives with as little interruption as possible. Additionally, technicians will send “on my way” text updates, allowing customers to plan rather than wait for someone to arrive.
Ace Handyman Services customers receive a 1-year guarantee on all projects, which is a relatively short time compared with other companies in this list that guarantee their work for 2 years. The website’s local search function is a bit unreliable, but customers can easily contact customer service to confirm whether their home falls within the local branch’s service area.
Specs
- Service area: 45 states
- Additional services: General handyman services
- Guarantee: 1-year guarantee on all labor
- Customer support: Phone
Pros
- Full range of general handyman services available
- Background checks performed for all technicians
- Technicians send “on my way” text updates
Cons
- Relatively short guarantee
- Location search function is somewhat unreliable
Our Verdict
For homeowners looking to hire a cabinet painting company, we recommend choosing CertaPro Painters or 360 Painting. Backed by decades of experience and thousands of successful projects, both CertaPro Painters’ and 360 Painting’s services will return high-quality results. CertaPro’s daily updates—which enable families to know when the room will be able to be used again—and 360 Painting’s proprietary painting process make either of these choices a sure bet.
How We Chose the Best Cabinet Painters
To recommend the best cabinet painters, we considered a few factors by conducting extensive research on different companies. First, we assessed their overall quality and efficiency. It’s important that any kitchen cabinet painter does a job correctly and within their client’s timeline. Then, we considered pricing and affordability for the project—not necessarily the most inexpensive painters, but the ones with the best value. Finally, we took into consideration each company’s customer-facing aspects, including its availability, customer service rating, and whether it offers any guarantees.
Before You Hire One of the Best Cabinet Painters
Before committing to hiring a cabinet painter, ask what type of paint they use and what their process is. Certain paints don’t stand up to wear and will chip or wear away over time. Professionals should also share their painting process with the homeowner so the homeowner will know how their cabinets will be treated before and after the paint is applied. The paint must be applied to a clean cabinet for the best outcome.
Homeowners also need to confirm that their cabinet painters are insured. Most contractors have liability insurance to cover any damages they cause to the property. They should also have workers’ compensation insurance so the homeowner is not liable if anyone from their team gets injured on the job.
Cost of Hiring One of the Best Cabinet Painters
On average, the cost to paint kitchen cabinets ranges from $422 to $1,415 for a complete kitchen cabinet painting job, with the national average at $895. However, the cost of hiring one of the best cabinet painters varies based on a few different factors. If the cabinets are old or in poor condition they may need to be refinished before being painted. The average cost to refinish cabinets is between $1,500 and $5,000. The type and quality of paint being applied can impact the overall price. For example, glossy or oil-based paints are more expensive than flat or matte paints.
Another factor affecting price is how much surface area the painters will be covering and the layout and design of the cabinets. Most companies charge between $3 to $10 per square foot for painting kitchen cabinets, and some companies may charge more for cabinets with elaborate designs that take more finesse to complete.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Cabinet Painters
Painting cabinets can be a challenge for homeowners, as it takes time and effort to complete the job. Without the proper care and attention, homeowners can damage their cabinets or get paint in the wrong areas. Here are some of the advantages of hiring one of the best cabinet painters.
- By hiring one of the best cabinet painters, homeowners do not need to spend their time painting cabinets themselves.
- Cabinet painters bring their own expertise to the project and can help homeowners pick out paint color and type to achieve their desired outcome.
- Professional cabinet painters provide their own brushes, equipment, and paint, so homeowners do not need to supply any of that themselves.
FAQs
Still have questions about how to paint cabinets or hire a professional to tackle this task? Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cabinet painting services, including pricing, choosing finishes, and how long to expect a professional paint job to last.
Q. How much should I pay to have my cabinets painted?
The price for cabinet painting typically ranges from $422 to $1,415, with the national average at $895. The size and complexity of the project, the materials used, and other factors will impact the cost.
Q. How do I choose cabinet finishes?
Consider the cabinet material before selecting a kitchen cabinet paint or finish. Wooden cabinets often already have a stain or glaze on them, making it difficult or ineffective to paint or put a finish overtop. Typically, the existing finish will need to be sanded or stripped away before beginning work.
Different cabinet finishing options include painting, varnishing, shellacking, glazing, and staining. The choice of cabinet finish will largely depend on the homeowner’s personal preference and kitchen color scheme. A professional cabinet painter can review your kitchen cabinet paint ideas to ensure satisfaction.
Q. How long do professionally painted cabinets last?
When a painter uses high-quality materials, painted cabinets can last from 8 to 10 years with proper care and typical use. Homeowners can consult with their hired professional painters to determine guarantees, warranties, and other coverage.
Q. What is the best paint for cabinets?
When buying cabinet paint, be sure it is specially made for cabinets. In most cases, this information will be listed on the paint can. Keep in mind that a porous material like wood will absorb more cabinet paint, whereas paint will have a harder time sticking to a nonporous material such as laminate cabinets.
Q. When should I replace my cabinets?
Homeowners will want to consider replacing their cabinets if they have water damage, are beginning to get soft inside, or are no longer closing properly. If the structure is still in good condition, it may be worthwhile to reface and paint old kitchen cabinets (without replacing them) to extend their lifespan. Cabinet refacing costs $4,501 to $10,546.
Q. Do cabinet painters require an up-front payment?
A down payment depends on the terms of the contractor or company. When getting a quote, homeowners should discuss financing with their cabinet painter to establish the expected payment and timelines.