Cabinet Painting winnipeg

Cabinet Painting

• More cost effective than cabinet refinishing but with the same durability and beauty 
• Can be done to virtually any type of cabinet door or drawer: wood, MDF, veneer, laminate, etc.
• If the cabinet doors or drawers have nicks or dings in the surface, they can be fully repaired to near new and if the existing coating is failing, this usually can be removed in the prep stage and rectified.
• Involves precise prep work, with proper cleaning, sanding, then a bonding primer followed by two topcoats over the existing cabinet surface.
• Covers the wood grain completely, offering a fresh, modern look. Oak cabinets however will still show slight wood grain even when painted because of the grain pattern, very subtle wood grain.
• Requires still lots of sanding, priming instead of staining, and using high-quality topcoat of colour for durability.
• Allows for a wide variety of colors and styles, from classic whites to bold colors.

Cabinet Refinishing

• Requires more labor-intensive prep work and results in a durable, factory-like finish.
• Higher cost over cabinet painting.
• Cannot be done with laminates or MDF cabinets, ideal material is solid wood doors and drawers.
• Major repairs to the cabinets or changing location of handles this process is not recommended.
• Most cabinet projects are not the best candidate for this type of work, because of the limitations above.
• Maintains the natural wood grain and original character of the cabinets.
• Typically used when cabinets are in good condition but need a refresh.
• Offers a more traditional look of stained wood cabinets.
• Two different methods:
  1. Involves removing completely the existing coating by sanding or chemical stripping, back down to the original cabinet before any coating was applied, then a new stain is applied, followed by multiple layers of clear coat for protection. 
  2. Another method used, if the decision is to stain the cabinets darker and the cabinets doors and drawers are in great shape; then possibly a tinted shader can be used after prep to allow the natural wood grain to show through but still update the colour.

1. Size and Complexity of the Cabinetry

• The overall square footage of the cabinets, as well as the number of doors, drawers, and panels, significantly impact cost. More surface area means more materials and labor.
• Intricate designs, such as raised panels, glass inserts, or intricate moldings, require additional prep and detail work, increasing the price. 
• Wine racks, open shelves and open cabinets also increase the size of the project.
• Having to pull out and relocate the fridge, stove and/or dishwasher adds to the complexity of the job if this is necessary.. 

2. Choice of Stain vs. Paint

• Refinishing (staining or tinted shader) involves stripping the old finish, sanding, and applying a new stain or protective topcoat. This method preserves the wood grain but is labor-intensive, often making it more expensive than painting.
• Painting requires a multi-step process that includes degreasing, sanding, priming, and applying multiple coats of high-quality paint. If transitioning from a dark to a light color, extra priming may be required, adding to the cost.

3. On-Site vs. Shop Work

• Generally most jobs are a combination of on- site and shop work.
• On-site cabinet painting or cabinet refinishing requires extra care to control dust and fumes. This means setting up proper containment, using ventilation systems, and often working within limited space, which can increase labor time. Generally full on-site work for cabinet painting and refinishing is limited to un-occupied homes because of the inconvenience of losing use of your kitchen and surrounding areas for approximately a week to a week and a half. 
• Removing doors and drawer fronts for off-site spraying allows for a more controlled, dust-free environment, ensuring a factory-like finish. However, transportation and handling adds to the overall cost.

4. Level of Prep Work Needed

• Cabinets that have heavy grease buildup, deep scratches, or peeling finishes require extensive prep, including degreasing, sanding, filling, and priming. This adds to labor costs.
• Changing hardware from handles to knobs, or changing handles with different spacing between the existing holes in the cabinets, requires multi stage filling of the existing holes that are now no longer needed and need to be filled, increasing the cost of the project. 
• If cabinets have previously been painted and this coating is failing, extra prep is needed to completely remove the failing coating to solid substrate, adding time to the project.

5. Timeframe and Labor Costs

• Shorter deadlines or rush jobs typically cost more due to additional labor required to expedite the process.
• The number of coats required (stain, primer, paint, and clear protective coatings) also impacts labor time and material costs, for example darker, saturated colours or stains may need additional coats to achieve proper coverage.

6. Quality of Materials and Finishes

• High-end waterbased lacquers that are OEM coatings provide better durability but come at a higher cost.
• Sprayed finishes deliver a smooth, professional look but require specialized equipment and skilled application.

Typical Price Ranges

• Cabinet refinishing (staining/clear coat): $3,000 – $9,000+ depending on size and wood type.
• Cabinet painting (brush & roll): $1,500 – $6,000+ (more for larger kitchens).
• Cabinet painting (spray finish): $2,000 – $8,000+ for a flawless factory-like finish.