Painted Cabinets versus New Cabinets: A Comparison of Costs and Benefits

As your home continues to age, considerations may arise regarding the cost implications of updating your kitchen, bathrooms, or interior woodwork. Renovating your home can entail significant expenses, especially when new cabinets are factored in, leading to potential price escalation. Building material costs are subject to fluctuations, with higher quality natural woods typically commanding higher prices. Naturally, there are numerous benefits associated with renovating and acquiring new materials, particularly in cases of extensive damage or issues beyond the scope of painting. Ultimately, the decision regarding how to proceed with a home renovation rests with the client. This article will outline some of the general costs and benefits of opting to have kitchen cabinets painted rather than replaced, alongside a comparison with those same factors in a full-scale renovation. You may discover that the potential for savings, coupled with the current condition of your kitchen cabinets, makes a cabinet painting job an ideal choice for you.

New Cabinets

For comparison purposes, let’s begin by discussing some overall benefits and the associated costs of a complete kitchen renovation. One major advantage of renovating is the opportunity to completely redo the entire space from scratch. In a kitchen, this might involve changing the flooring, backsplash, countertops, appliances, lighting, and cabinets. Another benefit could be addressing dissatisfaction with the original design and layout of the kitchen. Whether it’s altering the size and shape of the island, reconfiguring the cabinet arrangement, adjusting appliance placement, or changing the overall layout, there are nearly endless possibilities if you’re willing to start from scratch. If cost isn’t a concern, a full-scale renovation can be an appealing option for anyone seeking a significant makeover. In Canada in 2023, the approximate cost for renovating an average-sized kitchen with 35 cabinet doors would be at least $15,000 for new cabinet boxes alone, and anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 or more when including new flooring, backsplash, and countertops. Projects can easily surpass $60,000 with additional expenses for new appliances, lighting, custom features, and more. Given the large scope of such projects, there are few truly “cost-effective” options for kitchen renovations. Even just building new cabinet boxes and doors can incur significant expenses, often exceeding the cost of applying a sprayed lacquer finish to even the largest kitchens.

Painted Cabinets

The real cost savings occur when you choose to keep your existing cabinets and doors, and have them professionally repaired and refinished using high-quality paints. The benefits of having your cabinets painted are both financial and practical. A painting job is usually smaller and less intrusive compared to a renovation. For a standard-sized kitchen, a cabinet painting job should be finished within three to four days, with an additional day for door installation. Most of the home remains untouched, and a painting job seldom spreads beyond the work area in terms of dust and smell. Another benefit of painting your cabinets is the significant reduction in building material waste and garbage since you retain your existing cabinets, which are likely in good condition, preserving your home’s original materials. In terms of cost, refinishing a standard-sized kitchen with 35 doors typically ranges between $6,000 to $7,500 for a full sprayed lacquer finish. Professional painting for nearly all kitchens usually costs under $10,000. This is only a fraction of the cost of even the most basic renovation but still delivers a noticeable update and refresh to a client’s home.

The Bottom Line

For a fraction of the cost of renovation, a brand new-looking kitchen with a vibrant new color can be achieved by any client without changing any materials. In most cases, a home’s cabinets do not require tearing out and replacing. So if a client appreciates the design and layout of their kitchen, spraying lacquer is an excellent choice for saving money and achieving a brand new appearance. Of course, for some individuals, the benefits of renovation and the ability to alter the design, layout, quality, and features of a space may justify the budget required for such a large project. However, if you are content with your home’s original design and feel that it simply needs a new look, having your cabinets painted may be the best option for you.