Should You Paint the Cabinet Yourself

The Temptation of Saving a Few Bucks

The appeal of a DIY project is strong. After all, who doesn’t want to save a little money? If you’re handy with tools and have a free weekend, then painting your cabinets might sound like a great idea. You could be looking at an average cost of $500–$1,500 to have a professional handle the painting service, so doing it yourself might seem like a tempting way to keep your budget intact.
Plus, with countless online guides, YouTube videos, and Pinterest boards showing how easy it is, the DIY route feels like it could be a walk in the park. And don’t forget that sense of accomplishment when you step back and admire your work.
But wait! Before you jump into that commitment, let’s explore some of the hidden challenges that come with painting cabinets.

Are You Prepared to Put in Time?

Painting cabinets takes time you may not have realized would eat up your entire weekend – or longer. 
First, you need to remove all cabinet doors and hardware. Then, you have to sand everything down, clean the surfaces, apply primer, wait for drying time, and then apply the paint. If you’re aiming for a smooth professional finish, then you’ll need to apply multiple coats with each requiring its own drying time.
If you’re new to painting cabinets, this could easily stretch from a weekend project to a multi-weekend effort. And don’t forget about touch-ups down the road.

Do You Have the Right Tools and Materials?

To get the job done right, you’ll need a solid set of tools. This includes brushes, rollers, painter’s tape, drop cloths, sandpaper, and paint. Plus, the cost of good-quality cabinet paint is higher than your average wall paint. Depending on the size of your kitchen, you might need multiple cans. For a truly professional finish, you may even want to invest in a spray gun.
That’s a lot of equipment to buy. If you don’t already have it on hand, you’ll have to factor in those expenses, too.

The Risk of Mistakes

If you’re not careful, even the best DIY attempts can result in a less-than-perfect finish. Paint drips, streaks, and uneven coverage can be frustrating and fixing these mistakes often requires additional coats or even re-sanding areas.
With a DIY project, there’s always the risk that you won’t be able to achieve the flawless finish you envision, leaving you frustrated and potentially needing to hire a pro anyway. Save yourself the headache and invest in handyman service before the headache.