Painting vs. new cabinets – which is right for your space? This is a personalized decision that requires a few considerations. While both options may achieve your goal of a refreshed kitchen, there are a lot of differences between the two choices. Cost, scheduling, disruption of your space, and functionality all need to be considered.
Let’s dive in to the differences between painting vs. new cabinets to help you decide which option is the best choice for your situation. And if you still have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We know that your kitchen is a major part of your everyday life, and our West Michigan team is more than happy to answer any questions you have to ensure you get what you’re looking for.
Painting Vs. New Cabinets – 3 Factors to Consider
1. Pricing
It’s no secret that for many homeowners, this is the single most important factor when considering a kitchen remodel or refresh. How does pricing compare between painted cabinets and new cabinets?
Depending on the size of your kitchen and options you choose, the difference can be astronomical. And the pricing has even more variability than simply the cost of the cabinets.
With cabinet painting, you’ll pay one price for a painter. This covers the cost of labor and materials.
With new cabinets, it’s a bit different. Typically, new cabinets cost around $20-30K on the lower end or up to $60-100K for custom cabinets.
If you opt for new cabinets, you’ll start with the price of the cabinets and labor, just like painting. However, many homeowners don’t realize that new lower cabinets also necessitate new countertops (typically $5-15K), as well as new backsplash.
If the size or style of the cabinets change, you may also be looking at painting the walls, trim, and possibly ceiling (depending on whether the old cabinets touched the ceiling).
On the other hand, when you paint your cabinets, you don’t have to worry about new countertops or backsplash. And since the style and size isn’t changing, nothing else in your kitchen (such as walls, trim, or the ceiling) needs to be painted.
Taking only the cost of the cabinets into consideration, painting is typically about 1/4 of the cost of new cabinets – sometimes less. At Jeff Bryant Painting, our painting projects typically start at $4500, with a range of $4500-$10,000. The average kitchen costs around $6000. We also use KCMA approved cabinet coatings, which is specially formulated for kitchen cabinets—not just a regular trim paint.
When you’re comparing painting vs. new cabinets, and you add in the cost of new countertops, backsplash, and potential extra painting around the room, the cost of cabinet painting shrinks to a far smaller fraction of the cost of buying new cabinets.
2. Scheduling
Keep in mind that when you add additional projects–such as new countertops, backsplash, or wall painting—you’ll also need to navigate scheduling different contractors for each aspect of the project.
Unfortunately, in the home renovation world, schedules are typically packed. And as a general rule, everything takes longer than you think. The more contractors you add into a project, the more difficult it is to get it accomplished on a strict timeline. It’s not uncommon for these projects to stretch out for 2-3 months.
If you go the new cabinet route, be prepared to spend some time on communication and scheduling as you coordinate contractors from multiple different industries.
If you go the painting route, you’ll only need to work with a painting contractor. At Jeff Bryant Painting, we understand that you need your kitchen! We work with you to choose a timeline that fits in with your life.
3. Use of Your Kitchen
While getting new cabinets also takes more time (and more contractors from different industries), it also necessitates more disruption to your kitchen. Understandably, ripping out old cabinets, countertops, and backsplash and replacing them is a bit messier than simply painting your doors and drawer fronts.
With our painting process, we typically allot about three days during which you’ll need to plan not to use your kitchen. During this time, we’ll remove the doors and drawer fronts and take them back to our shop. Usually, we’ll be back about 3-4 days later with the painted doors and drawers, and we’ll need one more day to re-install them.
What Else Do You Need to Know? Pros of New Cabinets
While cabinet painting is a fraction of the cost, time, and hassle compared with new cabinets, it doesn’t solve every problem for every homeowner. For many, cabinet painting achieves the big “wow factor” of a dazzling, refreshed kitchen—without the “wow factor” in your checkbook.
However, for some, new cabinets are necessary.
While painting leaves your kitchen looking revived and fresh, it doesn’t change the functionality or the age of your cabinets. If you don’t like the design or form (such as the door profile) of your current cabinets, new cabinets might be necessary. And although a new, high-quality finish completely transforms the look of your cabinets, 30-year-old cabinets will still be 30-year-old cabinets.
A third option—between cabinet painting and new cabinets—is to upgrade to new doors. We work with local experts to get you brand new doors. Then, we paint both the doors and your cabinet boxes to the color of your choice. This “in the middle” option gives you totally new doors with a modern profile of your choice as well as a new color. This option offers the look of new cabinets without the price tag of all new boxes.
Any Questions?
Deciding between painting vs. new cabinets is an important choice. If you’re not sure which option is best for your kitchen, we’d love to help. To us, your kitchen is more than a number—it’s your home. Whatever route you choose, we’re here to talk through your situation and answer any questions you have.
Get in touch with us today.
