Kitchen Cabinet Painting: Should You Hire A Pro Or DIY It?

So you are thinking about having your kitchen cabinets painted. This is a popular option for people who want to update their kitchen cabinets without replacing them. But you might be wondering if it’s worth the money to hire a professional or if you can do it yourself. It’s a big decision, and there are a lot of things to consider when you are weighing the pros and cons of doing it yourself (DIY) vs. hiring a professional.

So how do you decide which one is right for you?

Which is Better: Do it Yourself or Hire a Professional?

When it comes to choosing between DIY or Hire a Pro painter, there are a lot of factors to consider. 

In this article, I’ll give you both points of view to make it completely impartial for you, the homeowner.  

Here is the case for DIYing it:

1. Save on cost – The cost of hiring a professional will vary depending on several factors, but on average it costs around $3,500 and $4,000 for an entire kitchen cabinet spray painting. You could save up to 80% by doing the job yourself, which makes DIY a much more affordable option. But it’s also important to note that the cost of doing this yourself will also vary depending on the materials and equipment you need to use. If you’re going to go the DIY route, it’s important that you have all the necessary supplies and tools on hand. Otherwise, it can add up quickly.
2. Maybe you are better than a pro – Some people are naturally talented at DIY projects, while others may not be. If you are one of those unique people who always find a way to get things done regardless of the challenge and are excellent with your trades skills, then maybe you should consider doing your own cabinet painting. Maybe you’re an expert at painting and have done this type of project many times before. Or maybe you just think that you can do it better than a professional. It might be worth considering DIY if you know what you are doing and can do it faster than hiring a professional.   
3. Your own personal satisfaction – You get something done, and you feel good about it. Or maybe you just enjoy being creative and working with your hands-on projects. You will be able to take pride in the finished product and can show off your new cabinets and say, “I did that!” These are all good reasons why you might consider doing your own cabinet painting! It’s not just about saving money by doing it yourself. It can be equally rewarding to feel that you have accomplished something and completed a project without having to pay someone else to do it for you.
4. Giving yourself a job and keeping yourself busy- DIYing is a great way to stay productive and give you a sense of accomplishment. If you have a lot of free time on your hands, it can be easy to get bored and start feeling overwhelmed by the monotony of everyday life. By taking on projects like painting your cabinets, you can keep yourself busy, as well as an excellent way to de-stress before bedtime at night. It can be therapeutic and stress-relieving, especially when you are able to take on a project that requires attention to detail like this one.

Now here is the case for hiring a pro:

There are many reasons why hiring professionals is the way to go when it comes to your kitchen cabinets:

1. First, it’s important to know that spray painting is a very niche thing to do in the home construction business. It’s not like spraying a door or a wall. If you’re thinking about spraying your bedrooms, bathrooms, or main floor, I’d say that going DIY is probably fine. Those areas aren’t scrutinized quite as closely as kitchens are. Spray-painting kitchen cabinets is a different story, though. You’ll need to have the right equipment and know-how in order to get your job done right. If you don’t, it could end up costing you more money down the road.
2. Second, Spray painting has to be perfect, or else it will look terrible, and simply won’t last as well. If there are any imperfections and inconsistencies, peeling will occur within weeks! Spraying kitchen cabinets is a labour-intensive job that requires specialized knowledge, skill, and experience. Just to give you an idea, we don’t hire painters under 10 years of experience, and even then, we make sure they’re fully trained before letting them spray cabinets.
3. When executed properly, professional kitchen cabinet spraying is an investment and not a cost. In fact, in general, kitchens and bathroom renovations and improvements are the 2 most profitable upgrades that can significantly increase the value of your home. 
4. When done properly, they will last decades. If done improperly, it may start deteriorating and chipping in the first week.  This is why pros can spend up to a decade just learning how to hone their craft. Experience and expertise are crucial in being able to perform this project successfully.
5. Finally, hiring a pro will save you tons of time and effort. When doing it yourself can take you several weeks and even months.  Even if you write a DIY pro, do you have that time and patience? A professional kitchen cabinet spraying company can have your project done in a matter of 1-2 weeks.  

How Hard Is It to Spray Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

Painting your own cabinets is a lot of work, especially if you don’t have much experience with the spray painting process. It can also be dangerous if done improperly. And even if it’s done correctly, there’s no guarantee that your finished product will look as good as it would if done by a professional. But just to give you an idea of how much work it takes, here’s a quick overview of how professionals paint cabinets:

1. Professional painters will start with a thorough cleaning of your cabinets to remove any dirt and grease. They use TSP, or other grease solvent solution, to remove any oils or dirt.
2. Then, they’ll buff and sand the surface of your cabinets to remove any defects in your wood. And then fill any cracks or holes in the surface of your cabinet to provide a smooth, even surface for painting. This is an important step because it ensures that the paint will adhere to your cabinet and not peel off later.
3. Next, they’ll prime your cabinets with a high-quality shellac-based or oil-based primer. Zinsser is one of the favourite brands among professional painters because of its high-quality, long-lasting finish. While on paint, most professionals use high-quality paints that are designed for kitchen cabinets. Benjamin Moore is one of the best brands out there and their paint is designed to be durable, washable, and long-lasting.
4. Once your primer has dried, then comes the hardest part: spraying your cabinets properly without overdoing or underdoing them. They will make sure that each coat has enough time to dry completely before going on to the next one—a minimum of 24 hours between coats is recommended!
5. Finally, after all that work… install them correctly and in the original locations! Professionals make sure all screws are tightened and screw back on each piece exactly where it should be. And making sure your cabinets are perfectly aligned. Once that is done, they will seal your cabinets in a protective coating to make them last longer and keep them looking fresh for years to come!

So, are you convinced that hiring a professional is the way to go? Now, let’s find out…

The qualities to look for before hiring a contractor:

• Online reputation and reviews are the most obvious qualities you want in a top-notch kitchen cabinet painting company.  Homestars.com has some of the top kitchen cabinet painting companies and is as transparent as it comes when posting the company’s reviews, and online reputation. 
• If you’re going to hire someone to paint your cabinets, make sure they have at least 10 years of experience. That’s because if the painter doesn’t have enough experience, they may not be able to get the job done correctly. So that means you’ll have to hire someone else in order to fix any mistakes made by an inexperienced painter. And that could mean even more money out of your pocket!
• You want someone who is well-rounded, not just a painter. They should have an eye for detail and should be able to suggest ways to improve the design of your cabinets without changing their functionality. A good painter will know how to use colours that complement each other and make your kitchen look fresh again.
• Also, make sure your painting contractor has a good portfolio of previous jobs so you can see their work for yourself.
• They should be able to tell you about the materials they plan on using, as well as any warranties or guarantees that come with them. If a contractor is only offering one-year warranties on the work they do, this should raise some red flags.
• Make sure that the contractor you hire is licensed and insured. This will give you peace of mind, knowing that your home is protected from any potential accidents. If they are not licensed or insured, find someone else who is!
• Above all, make sure they have a solid warranty to back their service.  If done improperly, kitchen cabinets can chip and peel right away.  Having a warranty of at least 3 years, hopefully, closer to 5 years is a great feature to have in a company you hire. 

To summarize, the most cost-effective choice will be determined by any special circumstances you may have. Whether you are able to do it yourself or need a professional to help, there are bound to be pros and cons associated with both options. Take the time to weigh your options before settling on a suitable solution that best suits your situation.

Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. If you can get the job done on your own, it will probably be at a lower cost than hiring someone else. But if you’re not completely sure of what you’re doing, or if you have any questions about your methods, it may be worth hiring someone for the task. The main thing to remember is that this is a big project with plenty of repercussions if you mess it up. So be sure that you know what you are doing before starting!

That said, spray painting kitchen cabinets can be a daunting project, especially if you’ve never done it before.

We at Home Painters Toronto understand that and want to help you out. With more than 35 years of experience as professional painters in Toronto and the GTA, let us show you why we are one of the most trusted painting contractors in Toronto. Contact Us NOW at 416.494.9095, or email us at Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com to get a free quote for your kitchen cabinet painting project. 

 

 

Image Source: BigStockPhoto.com (Licensed)

Site Disclaimer 

The Content in this post and on this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on our Site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by HII or any third party service provider to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

Nothing in this post or on this site constitutes professional and/or financial advice. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this post or on this site. 

You recognize that when making investments, an investor may get back less than the amount invested. Information on past performance, where given, is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

Related Categories: Home, Reviews