By Nicole Fallon | Published Apr 26, 2022 11:10 AM

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Cabinet painting seems like a simple task, but much more goes into it than you might initially think. 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 it may be tempting to paint a cabinet 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 price for your needs. It also pays to look for companies that offer painting warranties to cover the labor and paint job. Here are our top picks for the best cabinet painters across the country.

When shopping around for the best cabinet painters, there are multiple factors to consider. For homeowners considering hiring a professional to paint their cabinets, here’s an in-depth look at what to remember.

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 should 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.

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 should account for extra time for both coats of paint and anything that could drag out the project, such as bad weather.

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.

Homeowners shouldn’t hire just any painter for the job; the chosen professional should 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.

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.

Although it may be tempting to hire for 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 should make sure they are bonded and carry liability insurance. This covers the painters 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.

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 painting cabinets, in one go. For example, if someone is looking to install upgrades throughout their kitchen or bathroom, they may want to hire a handyman 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.

When looking for a cabinet painter, customers should 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.

A good painter or painting service should 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.

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. Here are our top picks for the best cabinet painters.

Why It Made the Cut: CertaPro Painters, founded in 1992, is the largest residential painting contractor in North America, with over 350 independently owned and operated franchises.

CertaPro Painters 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 offer color consultations to find the best hue for a kitchen’s or bathroom’s aesthetic, and customers should check with their local branch to make sure this service is offered. CertaPro Painters has hundreds of franchised locations across 45 states 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.

Why It Made the Cut: 360 Painting provides residential and commercial painting with 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.

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.

Why It Made the Cut: Five Star Painting offers residential and commercial painting services with a special focus on eco-friendly practices.

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; Washington, D.C.; and territories of Canada. Its 2-year warranty covers peeling and blistering paint due to defective workmanship. 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, 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.

Why It Made the Cut: Ace Handyman Services provides a wide range of over 1,000 repair, improvement, and remodeling services with help from experienced professionals.

Ace Handyman Services employs technicians who have specialized knowledge and experience in one or two types of work, so the company is 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 41 states and offers customer support 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.

While Ace Handyman Services doesn’t have readily available warranty information on its website, customers can consult with their hired technicians to obtain project-specific details. The website’s local search function is a bit unreliable, but customers can easily contact customer service to confirm whether their home falls within their local branch’s service area.

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.

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 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.

On average, the cost to paint cabinets ranges from $350 to $1,300 for a complete kitchen cabinet painting job, with the national average at $809. However, the cost of hiring one of the best cabinet painters varies based on a few different factors. 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 to paint kitchen cabinets, and some companies may charge more for cabinets with elaborate designs that take more finesse to complete.

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.

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.

The price for cabinet painting typically ranges from $350 to $1,300, with the national average at $809. The size and complexity of the project, the materials used, and other factors will impact the cost.

Consider the cabinet material before selecting a 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 finishes include waterborne, stained, glazed, natural, painted, varnished, and distressed. The choice of cabinet finish will largely depend on the homeowner’s personal preference and kitchen color scheme. A professional cabinet painter can review options to ensure satisfaction.

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.

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.

Homeowners should replace 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, repainting the cabinets (without replacing them) can be a suitable option.

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.

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