Painting Services
Cabinet Painting
MetroWest Massachusetts · Vanity painting from $1,500
A Kitchen Transformation Without the Replacement Price Tag
Cabinet painting is one of the highest-ROI home improvement projects available. When your cabinet boxes are structurally sound, painting them delivers a dramatic transformation at 15–25% of the cost of full replacement.
We use Benjamin Moore Advance waterborne alkyd exclusively for cabinet work — it levels to a smooth, durable finish and cures to a hard, washable surface that holds up to daily kitchen use. Every door and drawer front is removed, cleaned, sanded, primed, and painted flat for a result that looks like it came from the factory.
Cabinet Painting Services
Kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, built-ins, and more — painted to a hard, durable finish that looks factory-new.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting
Full kitchen cabinet painting — doors, drawer fronts, frames, and interiors — for a smooth, durable professional finish at a fraction of replacement cost.
Bathroom Vanity Painting
Bathroom vanity cabinets painted to a durable, moisture-resistant finish that holds up in high-humidity environments.
Cabinet Door Replacement
New cabinet doors installed and painted when existing doors are damaged, outdated, or the wrong style.
Hardware Coordination
We work around new hardware installations and can recommend pull and knob styles that complement the new finish.
Built-In Cabinet Painting
Built-in bookcases, mudroom cabinets, laundry room cabinetry, and entertainment centers painted to match trim.
Color Consultation
Guidance on paint color selection — from classic white and off-white to bold navy, sage, and two-tone combinations.
Typical Cabinet Painting Budgets
Bathroom Vanity or Small Built-In
Starting around $1,500
Smaller cabinet or built-in painting — priced individually based on scope
Small Cabinet Package
Starting around $2,500
Small cabinet package with full prep and finish
Standard Kitchen Cabinet Painting
Starting around $4,500–$5,500
Cabinet count, layout, existing finish, preparation, repairs and finish system affect final pricing
Large Kitchen / Island / Pantry
Pricing varies — send photos
Large kitchen with island, pantry, or extended cabinetry
Smaller cabinet painting projects — vanities, small built-ins — start around $1,500. Full kitchen cabinet painting pricing varies based on cabinet count, finish level, prep, and layout. Send photos for a quick initial review.
Cabinet Painting vs. Cabinet Refinishing — What's the Difference?
The terms are used interchangeably in the industry, and we use them the same way. Cabinet painting and cabinet refinishing both refer to the same process: cleaning, sanding, priming, and applying a new painted finish to your existing cabinet boxes, doors, and drawer fronts. Neither term means stripping cabinets to bare wood or applying a stain — that is a different process for unfinished or stained wood cabinets. If your cabinets are currently painted or have a factory-applied finish, cabinet painting is the right service. If they are stained wood and you want to keep a stained look, that is a different scope — we can discuss it during the estimate.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Cabinet painting | New painted finish over existing painted or factory-finished cabinets |
| Cabinet refinishing | Same process — the terms are interchangeable in this context |
| Cabinet stripping | Removing finish to bare wood — a different, more involved process |
| Cabinet staining | Applying a stain to bare or stripped wood — not the same as painting |
The Prep Process — Why It Matters
The finish is only as good as the prep underneath it. Most cabinet painting failures — peeling, chipping, brush marks — trace back to skipped prep steps. Here is what we do on every project.
Remove doors and hardware
All doors, drawer fronts, and hardware are removed and labeled for correct reinstallation. Painting doors flat eliminates sag and brush marks.
Degrease all surfaces
Kitchen cabinets accumulate grease and residue that prevents paint adhesion. We clean every surface with a dedicated degreaser before sanding.
Sand and degloss
All surfaces are sanded with 150-grit to scuff the existing finish and improve primer adhesion. Glossy factory finishes require this step — skipping it causes peeling.
Apply bonding primer
A bonding primer is applied to all surfaces. This is the most critical step for adhesion and stain blocking. We do not skip primer on cabinet work.
Apply finish coats
Two coats of Benjamin Moore Advance waterborne alkyd, applied flat on doors and in place on frames. Advance levels to a smooth, factory-quality finish.
Cure and reinstall
Advance requires 30 days to reach full hardness. Doors are reinstalled after the initial dry period, with care taken not to stress the finish before full cure.
Cure time note
Benjamin Moore Advance is dry to the touch within hours, but reaches full hardness after approximately 30 days. During the cure period, handle cabinet surfaces gently — avoid harsh cleaners and heavy contact. After 30 days, the finish is fully washable and hard.
Is Cabinet Painting Right for Your Kitchen?
Good candidates for cabinet painting
- Cabinet boxes are structurally sound — no water damage, rot, or delamination
- Existing layout and door style work for your design goals
- You want a dramatic transformation without a full kitchen remodel
- Cabinets are currently painted or have a factory-applied finish
- Budget is $4,500–$12,000 rather than $30,000–$60,000+ for replacement
When cabinet painting may not be the right answer
- ✕Cabinet boxes are water-damaged, warped, or structurally compromised
- ✕You want to change the cabinet layout, add cabinets, or change door style significantly
- ✕Cabinets are thermofoil or laminate — these require specific prep and may not hold paint well
- ✕You want a stained wood finish — painting over stained wood requires stripping, which is a different scope
We review cabinet condition during the estimate and will tell you honestly if painting is the right call for your kitchen. If the boxes are not in good shape, we will say so.
Cabinet Painting in MetroWest MA
We work in homes throughout MetroWest — colonials, contemporaries, and older homes with original cabinetry. Here is what that looks like in the towns we serve most.
Wellesley, MA
Wellesley kitchens often feature older colonial-era cabinetry with raised panel doors — a good candidate for painting when the boxes are sound. We have painted kitchens in Wellesley ranging from compact galley layouts to large open-plan kitchens with islands and pantry sections.
Weston, MA
Weston homes tend to be larger, with kitchens that have more cabinet runs, islands, and butler's pantries. We price these individually after reviewing photos — scope varies significantly from project to project.
Dover, MA
Dover has a mix of older colonials and newer construction. In older homes, we often encounter original oak or maple cabinets with a dated stained finish — painting these requires additional prep to seal the wood grain and achieve a smooth result.
Natick, MA
Natick has a wide range of home ages and kitchen sizes. We have painted everything from small galley kitchens in older ranches to larger kitchens in newer construction. Bathroom vanity painting is also common in Natick — a one-day project starting around $1,500.
Ashland, MA
Ashland is our home base. We have painted kitchens in Ashland colonials, split-levels, and newer construction throughout town. If you are in Ashland and want a quick in-person review before committing to an estimate, that is easy to arrange.
Cabinet Painting — Frequently Asked Questions
Is cabinet painting worth it vs. replacing cabinets?
Yes — for most kitchens. Cabinet painting typically costs 15–25% of full cabinet replacement and produces a dramatic transformation when the cabinet boxes are in good condition. It is one of the highest-ROI home improvement projects available.
What paint do you use on cabinets?
We use Benjamin Moore Advance waterborne alkyd exclusively for cabinets. It levels beautifully, cures to a hard, washable surface, and holds up to daily kitchen use far better than standard latex paint.
Do you remove the cabinet doors?
Yes. All doors and drawer fronts are removed, cleaned, sanded, primed, and painted flat for a smooth, durable professional finish. Frames are painted in place.
How long does cabinet painting take?
A typical kitchen takes 4–6 days: one day for prep and removal, two days for painting doors and drawer fronts, and one to two days for frames and reassembly.
What is the difference between cabinet painting and cabinet refinishing?
The terms are used interchangeably in the industry. Both refer to the same process: cleaning, sanding, priming, and applying a new painted finish to your existing cabinets. Neither means stripping to bare wood. If you see either term on our site or in an estimate, they mean the same thing.
How long does the paint take to cure on cabinets?
Benjamin Moore Advance is dry to the touch within hours, but reaches full hardness after approximately 30 days. During the cure period, handle cabinet surfaces gently — avoid harsh cleaners and heavy contact. After 30 days, the finish is fully washable and hard.
Are my cabinets a good candidate for painting?
The best candidates are cabinets with structurally sound boxes, no water damage or delamination, and an existing painted or factory-applied finish. Thermofoil and laminate cabinets require specific prep and may not hold paint as well. We review cabinet condition during the estimate and will tell you honestly if painting is the right call.
Can you paint cabinets that have been previously painted?
Yes. We sand, degloss, and prime previously painted cabinets before applying finish coats. Proper prep ensures the new paint adheres correctly and lasts.
What towns do you serve for cabinet painting?
We serve Wellesley, Weston, Dover, Needham, Natick, Sherborn, Medfield, Hopkinton, Sudbury, Wayland, Ashland, Southborough, Westborough, Northborough, Holliston, and surrounding MetroWest Massachusetts communities.
Ready to Transform Your Kitchen?
We serve Ashland, Natick, Wellesley, Weston, Dover, Needham, Hopkinton, Sudbury, Wayland, and surrounding MetroWest MA communities.
Professional home improvement without the big-remodel overhead. Pricing varies based on cabinet count, finish level, prep, and layout. Send photos for an initial project review and realistic budget.