Should I Paint My Kitchen Cabinets? What New Hampshire Homeowners Should Know

Your kitchen cabinets are looking tired, dated, or just not your style. Replacing them

would cost $15,000 to $40,000 or more. So the question is: can you just paint them? In

most cases, the answer is yes — but it needs to be done right, or you’ll regret it.

Cabinet painting done professionally typically costs $3,000 to $7,000 for an average

New Hampshire kitchen. That’s a fraction of the cost of new cabinets, and the result —

when done correctly — is a smooth, durable, modern finish that looks like the cabinets

were replaced. White, warm white, soft gray, and navy blue are the most popular

cabinet colors we paint across the Granite State.

The key word is “professionally.” Cabinet painting is not the same as wall painting. The

process requires removing all doors, drawers, and hardware; cleaning every surface to

remove grease and residue; sanding to create adhesion; applying a bonding primer

specifically formulated for slick cabinet surfaces; and spraying multiple coats of cabinet-

grade enamel or lacquer with proper dry time between each coat. The finish needs to

withstand daily handling, cleaning, moisture, heat, and the general abuse a kitchen

takes.

DIY cabinet painting is one of the most common regrets we hear from New Hampshire

homeowners. Brush marks, drips, peeling, chipping, and sticky doors that stick shut are

all hallmarks of a DIY cabinet paint job. Once a bad paint job is on, fixing it is harder

(and often more expensive) than doing it right the first time. If you’re going to paint

cabinets, invest in having it done professionally.

Not all cabinets are good candidates for painting. Cabinets that are structurally sound,

have flat or raised-panel doors, and are in decent shape are ideal. Cabinets with water

damage, warped doors, broken hinges, or poor-quality construction may not be worth

painting — the money might be better spent on replacement. Thermofoil cabinets

(common in builder-grade homes) can be painted but require specialized preparation.

We assess your cabinets during the estimate and give you an honest recommendation.

From a resale perspective, professionally painted cabinets are a major selling point in

New Hampshire’s real estate market. Buyers consistently prefer painted cabinets in

white or gray over outdated oak or cherry. If you’re preparing your home for sale,

cabinet painting delivers one of the highest returns on investment of any cosmetic

update.

We provide free cabinet painting estimates throughout New Hampshire and within 75

miles. We’ll assess your cabinets, discuss color options, and show you examples of our

finished work so you know exactly what to expect.