[INPUT ARTICLE TITLE] How Much Does Cabinet Painting Cost? Phoenix Kitchen Update Pricing
[MDX CONTENT]
Understanding Cabinet Painting Costs
Kitchen cabinet painting is one of the most transformative home updates you can make for the money. At a fraction of cabinet replacement costs, you can completely change your kitchen’s look and feel.
At John Claude Painting, we specialize in professional cabinet painting for Phoenix homeowners. This guide breaks down what you should expect to pay and what affects your final cost.
Average Cabinet Painting Costs in Phoenix
Here’s what Phoenix homeowners typically pay for professional cabinet painting:
By Kitchen Size
| Kitchen Size | Cabinet Count | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small (galley) | 10-15 doors | $2,800-4,500 |
| Medium | 20-30 doors | $4,200-6,800 |
| Large | 30-45 doors | $6,500-9,500 |
| Extra large | 45+ doors | $9,000-14,000+ |
By Linear Feet
Another way to estimate:
- Per linear foot: $165-275
- Average Phoenix kitchen: 20-30 linear feet
- Typical project: $4,200-8,500
Individual Components
If you’re painting specific items:
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Cabinet doors (each) | $95-155 |
| Drawer fronts (each) | $65-85 |
| Cabinet frames/boxes | $1,500-2,800 |
| Island | $1,200-2,200 |
| Pantry cabinet | $450-750 |
| End panels (each) | $125-225 |
What Affects Cabinet Painting Cost?
Several factors determine your final price:
1. Kitchen Size and Complexity
The obvious factor—more cabinets means higher cost. But complexity matters too:
Standard layout: Base pricing L-shaped with many corners: +10-15% Multiple cabinet heights: +10-15% Built-in appliance panels: Additional cost each
2. Cabinet Construction and Condition
The state of your cabinets affects prep work:
Good condition:
- Minor cleaning and scuffing
- Standard prep included
Fair condition (add 10-20%):
- Some filling needed
- Light repair work
- More sanding required
Challenging condition (add 20-35%):
- Significant repairs
- Damage to address
- Previous paint to strip
3. Cabinet Door Style
Door design affects painting time and cost:
| Door Style | Labor Factor |
|---|---|
| Flat/slab | Base rate |
| Shaker | +5-10% |
| Raised panel | +10-15% |
| Ornate/detailed | +15-25% |
| Glass-front frames | +10-15% (per door) |
More details means more edges, more cutting in, and more time.
4. Painting Method
How cabinets are painted significantly affects both cost and quality:
Brush and roll on-site (least expensive):
- Cost: $2,500-4,500 for average kitchen
- Quality: Visible brush marks, less durable
- Convenience: In-home process
- Not recommended for best results
Spray on-site (moderate cost):
- Cost: $3,500-6,000 for average kitchen
- Quality: Better than brush, some overspray
- Convenience: In-home, may need to vacate
- Good option for some situations
Off-site spray booth (premium quality):
- Cost: $4,500-9,000 for average kitchen
- Quality: Factory-like finish, most durable
- Process: Doors removed, sprayed in controlled environment
- Our recommended method
5. Paint Quality
The products used affect both cost and longevity:
Standard cabinet paint ($45-65/gallon):
- Durability: 5-8 years
- Finish: Good
- Cleanability: Good
Premium cabinet paint ($75-110/gallon):
- Durability: 10-15 years
- Finish: Excellent
- Cleanability: Excellent
2K Polyurethane/Renner/Milesi (professional only):
- Durability: 15+ years
- Finish: Factory-like hardness
- Cleanability: Exceptional
6. Color Change Magnitude
The degree of color change affects primer needs:
Similar or lighter color: Standard primer Light to dark: May need less primer Dark to light: Multiple primer coats, adds 15-25% Covering red tones: Special primer, adds 10-20%
What’s Included in Professional Cabinet Painting
A quality cabinet painting service should include:
Standard Inclusions
- Consultation and color selection
- Door and drawer removal
- Careful labeling for precise reinstallation
- Cleaning and degreasing
- Sanding and scuffing for adhesion
- Minor filling and repairs
- Professional priming
- Multiple coats of paint
- Proper cure time
- Reinstallation
- Hardware installation
- Final inspection and touch-ups
Common Exclusions
These typically cost extra:
- New hardware (hinges, pulls)
- Major repairs
- Interior cabinet painting
- Glass-front door frames
- Crown molding
- Lighting installation
DIY vs Professional Comparison
Tempted to paint cabinets yourself? Here’s an honest comparison:
DIY Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Paint (2 gallons) | $150-250 |
| Primer | $60-90 |
| Brushes and rollers | $50-70 |
| Sandpaper and supplies | $40-60 |
| Drop cloths and tape | $40-60 |
| Your time (60-100 hours) | $??? |
| Total Materials | $340-530 |
DIY Challenges
- Visible brush marks common
- Drips and runs likely
- Inconsistent finish
- Long process (weeks to months)
- Kitchen disrupted longer
- No warranty
- Often need professional redo
When DIY Might Work
- Very small project (single cabinet)
- You have spray equipment experience
- Learning experience is valued
- Budget is primary concern
- You accept imperfect results
Cost-Saving Strategies
Ways to reduce your cabinet painting investment:
Smart Money-Saving Tips
1. Keep existing hardware if acceptable
- Saves $150-600
- Paint often makes old hardware look fine
- Consider just spray painting hardware
2. Skip interior painting
- Most people don’t notice
- Saves $600-1,800
- Focus budget on visible areas
3. Paint only doors, not frames
- Works if frames aren’t too dated
- Saves 30-40% on labor
- Less disruption
4. Choose single color
- Multiple colors add cost
- Simplifies process
- Modern look is often monochromatic
5. Time your project
- Off-season may offer savings
- Be flexible on scheduling
- Bundle with other work
Getting Accurate Estimates
How to ensure quotes are comparable:
Questions to Ask
- What painting method do you use?
- What paint brand and product?
- How many coats?
- What prep work is included?
- Where will doors be painted?
- How long will the process take?
- What warranty is provided?
Red Flags
- Significantly lower than others
- Vague about products or process
- No warranty offered
- Large deposit demanded
- Pressure to decide immediately
Sample Project Breakdowns
Real examples from Phoenix kitchens:
Example 1: Small Galley Kitchen
- 14 door fronts, 4 drawer fronts
- Shaker style
- Oak to white conversion
- Off-site spray
- Total: $4,200
Example 2: Standard L-Shaped Kitchen
- 24 door fronts, 8 drawer fronts
- Raised panel
- Cherry to gray
- Off-site spray, new hardware
- Total: $6,500
Example 3: Large Kitchen with Island
- 38 door fronts, 12 drawer fronts
- Flat contemporary style
- Walnut to navy
- Off-site spray, interior included
- Total: $9,200
Value Comparison
How does cabinet painting compare to alternatives?
| Option | Typical Cost | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet painting | $4,500-9,000 | Existing cabinets, new color |
| Refacing | $12,000-22,000 | New door fronts, same boxes |
| Stock cabinets | $18,000-28,000 | All new cabinets |
| Semi-custom cabinets | $28,000-45,000 | Higher quality new |
| Custom cabinets | $40,000-80,000+ | Fully custom new |
Cabinet painting offers the best value for kitchens with sound cabinets that just need a color update.
Ready for a Kitchen Transformation?
At John Claude Painting, we specialize in professional cabinet refinishing using off-site spray techniques for a factory-quality finish.
Call us at 602-572-1234 or contact us online for a free cabinet painting consultation. We serve Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, and the East Valley.
Curious about your specific project? We offer free in-home consultations where we’ll assess your cabinets, discuss color options, and provide a detailed quote with no obligation.
