Cabinet Repainting Costs vs. Replacement

Painting

• Depending on the kitchen size, cabinet type and special finish, repainting can cost a few hundred dollars for a do-it-yourself project. Hiring a professional crew to do the job will cost between $2,500 and $4,000. Most of the cost is for labor because extensive preparation is necessary. Also, the doors must be removed and replaced after painting.

Replacing

• The cost of replacing kitchen cabinets starts at about $4,000 and can be more than $30,000, depending on the number and style of cabinets. Removing and disposing of the existing cabinets can also add to the expense but can often be done by the homeowner before the professionals arrive.

Refacing

• A middle ground between painting and replacing cabinets is refacing. In this case, the cupboard doors and drawer fronts are replaced, but the remainder of the cabinets stay in place. The remaining cabinets are often painted to match the new doors and drawers. This option costs between $1,000 and $10,000, depending on the number of cabinets and type of materials selected. This can also be a do-it-yourself project but is often done by professionals, which increases the cost.

Value

• Painting is the least expensive option, but it does not usually increase the value of the home. Refacing may add to the value and increase the attractiveness of the cabinets to potential buyers. Replacing cabinets may increase the value of the home but not necessarily at the full cost of the cabinets, but it may be enough to justify the extra expense of replacing cabinets instead of painting them.