February 4, 2023
 —  
Construction

How Much Does It Cost to Paint Cabinets | CountBricks

James Miller
Head of Sales

How Much Does It Cost to Paint Cabinets? A CountBricks Guide

Kitchen and bath cabinets dominate the visual real estate of any home. A fresh coat of paint can modernize an entire space, often for a fraction of the price of full replacement. Homeowners, remodelers, and property investors ask us every day: how much does it cost to paint cabinets? The honest answer is, “It depends.” This article breaks down every cost driver, provides real-world price ranges, and shows how CountBricks streamlines the entire process with instant AI estimates and voice-driven on-site takeoffs.

The National Picture vs. Your Local Reality

Broad national averages say cabinet painting falls somewhere between $4 and $12 per square foot of surface area. That sounds helpful—until you realize that:

• Paint grades vary from budget latex to factory-grade urethane enamel

• Prep complexity can double labor hours on older, grease-laden doors

• Regional labor rates differ by as much as 40 %

• Home layouts make a big difference—open-plan kitchens allow faster setup than tight galley spaces

Because of these variables, CountBricks never relies on generic charts. Our AI pulls current material prices, local wage data, and project-specific dimensions gathered through blueprint uploads or real-time voice measurements. The result: homeowners see an accurate number in minutes, not broad guesses.

Key Cost Factors Explained

1. Cabinet Surface Area

1. Measure door and drawer fronts, face frames, sides, and trim. 2. Multiply height by width of each piece. 3. Add 15 % for edges and overspray. CountBricks does this automatically when you scan a plan or speak dimensions into the mobile app.

2. Paint System

• Entry-level acrylic: $30–$45 per gallon, two-coat coverage

• Mid-grade alkyd hybrid: $55–$70 per gallon, self-leveling finish

• Premium catalyzed urethane: $90–$120 per gallon, factory durability

CountBricks lets you toggle between paint systems and instantly see cost differences on screen.

3. Prep and Repairs

• Light cleaning and scuff-sand: minimal added cost

• Heavy de-greasing, filler, and caulk: add 30–50 % labor

• Hardware hole relocation: new pulls mean patching the old holes

Pro Tip: CountBricks voice prompts remind crews to log each repair task so no item is forgotten in the estimate.

4. Spray Booth vs. On-Site Brushing

Spraying produces the smoothest finish but requires an off-site booth or intensive masking. Brushing/rolling on site saves setup time but may leave faint stroke lines. Typical upcharges for spray-grade finishing run 15–25 % over brush work. With CountBricks, simply say "spray finish" during the estimate call and the software updates labor, masking materials, and cycle time automatically.

Typical Price Ranges by Kitchen Size

• Small kitchen (25-35 doors/drawers): $1,200 – $2,400

• Mid-size kitchen (36-55 doors/drawers): $2,500 – $4,200

• Large kitchen (56-80 doors/drawers): $4,300 – $6,800

These numbers reflect mid-grade alkyd paint, moderate prep, and regional labor at $55/hour. Swap in premium urethane or extensive repairs and the figures climb. Every range above was generated by CountBricks using live Ohio material pricing pulled at 9 AM this morning—proof of how quickly numbers can change.

Hidden Costs Homeowners Often Miss

• Door removal/installation time

• Dust containment for occupied homes

• Temporary storage of removed doors

• Appliance masking and edge caulking

Because CountBricks itemizes each micro-task, both contractor and homeowner know exactly what is covered. No awkward “I thought that was included” conversations at invoice time.

How CountBricks Slashes Estimating Time

Voice-Driven Walkthrough

1. Open the CountBricks mobile app. 2. Walk the kitchen while saying, “Upper cabinet: 8 doors, 16 inches by 30 inches.” 3. Our AI converts the narration into line items, adds square footage, and applies your saved labor rates.

Blueprint & Photo Takeoffs

Upload a PDF or snap phone pictures. CountBricks detects cabinet outlines, calculates surface area, and factors toe-kicks or island panels that voice alone might miss.

Instant Quote Document

The final deliverable arrives branded with your logo, scope of work, payment schedule, and optional upgrades like soft-close hinges—ready to send in under five minutes.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro Through CountBricks Network

Some homeowners attempt cabinet painting themselves. A weekend project can be rewarding, yet it often extends to multiple weekends once dry-times, mistakes, and touch-ups stack up. Hiring a vetted CountBricks partner trades that uncertainty for predictable timing and a finish warranty.

• DIY supply cost on a mid-size kitchen: $400–$700 plus your free weekends

• CountBricks certified pro: $2,500–$4,200, completed in 4–6 days, warranty included

The premium buys you commercial-grade sprayers, dust extraction, and a crew that does this every day.

Reducing Costs Without Sacrificing Quality

• Keep existing hardware—fewer holes to patch

• Opt for a stock white or gray that requires no custom tint fees

• Bundle cabinet work with wall paint to share masking and mobilization costs

• Schedule during slower seasons; some CountBricks partners discount winter interior work by 10 %

Financing and Payment Strategies

CountBricks offers milestone billing. Homeowners pay 30 % at booking, 40 % after priming, and 30 % upon final walkthrough. For larger scopes, we connect clients with renovation lenders that fund directly from approved CountBricks estimates.

Next Steps

Ready for real numbers? Head to CountBricks.com/services, choose “Cabinet Painting,” and start a voice or video session with our AI estimator. Within minutes you will know exactly how much it costs to paint cabinets in your unique home—backed by live material pricing and local labor data.

Are you a construction professional? Use AI to build and edit full estimates, quotes and bids.

CountBricks Case Snapshot: The Walters Kitchen Refresh

When the Walters family in Akron, OH called, they had 42 oak cabinet fronts, heavy grease buildup, and a tight four-day deadline before listing their home. Traditional contractors quoted “somewhere around three to five grand.” The uncertainty stalled their decision—until they tried CountBricks.

From Voice Walkthrough to Signed Contract in 45 Minutes

1. Mrs. Walters opened a CountBricks video session and simply described each cabinet row while our AI transcribed dimensions. 2. The app suggested a mid-grade alkyd enamel for quick cure time and a neutral greige that photographs well for real estate listings. 3. Within 12 minutes the couple received an itemized estimate: $3,180 all-in.

Execution Highlights

• Day 1: Crew removed doors, labeled hardware, and set up an on-site spray booth in the garage.

• Day 2: Cabinets degreased, sanded, primed with stain-blocking primer.

• Day 3: Two finish coats applied; boxes cured overnight with forced-air heaters.

• Day 4: Doors rehung, soft-close dampers installed as an upsell tracked by the original CountBricks change-order feature.

Financial Outcome

The Walters accepted an offer $9,500 over asking price within 48 hours of listing. Their $3,180 investment—clearly outlined and managed through CountBricks—yielded a tangible return and stress-free timeline.

Why This Matters to You

• Transparent pricing builds homeowner trust and speeds approval.

• AI-driven change orders stop profit leaks when clients add extras mid-job.

• Centralized invoices keep your books clean for tax season.

Ready for Your Own Success Story?

Join thousands of contractors and homeowners turning to CountBricks for precise, fast, and profitable cabinet painting projects. Explore more wins at CountBricks.com/portfolio or schedule a live AI demo at CountBricks.com/consultation.