Cabinet Painting Prices in Toronto for 2026
The cost of cabinet painting in Toronto depends primarily on three things: the number of doors and drawers, the current condition of the surfaces, and whether spray finishing is included. Here are the ranges I work with on a daily basis, all covering full prep, prime, and two spray-applied finish coats:
2026 Toronto Cabinet Painting Price Guide
These prices include removing all doors and drawer fronts, degreasing, sanding, filling any dents or dings, priming with a bonding primer, and applying two finish coats with professional spray equipment. Cabinet frames are painted in-place on-site. Doors and drawer fronts are taken to our shop for spray application, then rehung when cured.
Spray vs Brush and Roll — Why It Matters
If you've ever looked at factory-painted cabinets and wondered why they look so smooth and even, it's because they're spray-finished. Brush and roll on cabinets leaves texture — you can see and feel the paint surface if you look at the doors at an angle in good lighting. For some people that's acceptable. For most homeowners who are investing $2,000–$5,000 in a kitchen refresh, it's not.
Spray application requires proper equipment (an HVLP or airless sprayer), a space to spray without overspray contaminating other surfaces, and technique that takes years to develop consistently. We remove the doors and spray them in a controlled environment, then reinstall them once cured. It adds time to the process but the result is dramatically better — smooth, even, factory-quality. Any quote that significantly undercuts the prices above is almost certainly a brush and roll job, not spray.
What Drives the Cost Up
A few specific factors consistently push cabinet jobs toward the top of the price range or above it:
- Heavy grease buildup: Kitchens that haven't had a deep clean in years need multiple rounds of TSP degreasing before we can even start sanding. Grease under paint causes adhesion failure. Proper degreasing is non-negotiable and takes real time.
- Wood filler and repair work: Older cabinets often have soft corners, dents, water damage around the sink, or worn finish that's lifted in spots. Filling, sanding smooth, and getting the surface to a consistent texture before priming is labour-intensive work.
- Glazing or two-tone colour: If you want a glaze effect for depth, or two colours (e.g., white uppers with navy island), each adds masking time and an additional application step.
- High-sheen topcoat: A two-part water-based urethane topcoat costs more than standard finish coats but adds significant durability. On kitchen cabinets that take daily abuse, it's worth it.
How Long the Job Takes
A typical kitchen cabinet job runs three to five days from start to finish. Day one is removal of doors and drawer fronts, degreasing the frames, and beginning the prep process. Days two and three are priming and first finish coats — both frames on-site and doors in the shop. Day four is second finish coats and reassembly. Day five is final touch-ups, hardware reinstall if included, and cleanup.
You'll have limited kitchen access during this time. I always tell clients: set up a temporary coffee station somewhere else in the house and plan for simple meals for a few days. Most clients tell me afterward it was less disruptive than they expected, but it's good to plan for it.
How Long Do Painted Cabinets Last?
Done right — proper prep, bonding primer, spray-applied urethane finish — painted cabinets should last 8–12 years before they need refreshing. The key variables are prep quality, finish quality, and how the cabinets are maintained afterward. Harsh abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, and steam from a nearby dishwasher are the enemies of painted cabinet finishes. Simple soap and water, applied gently with a soft cloth, is all you need.
I've repainted cabinets that looked as good after 10 years as the day we finished them. I've also seen jobs done by other contractors fail in two years because they skipped the degreasing or used the wrong primer. The prep is everything.
Why DIY Cabinet Painting Fails
I see the aftermath of DIY cabinet paint jobs several times a year. The most common failures: using standard latex wall paint (it doesn't have the hardness for daily cabinet use), not degreasing thoroughly enough (the paint never properly adheres), and applying with a brush or foam roller (leaves texture and visible brush marks). Sometimes all three at once.
The result is paint that chips within months, adhesion that fails around the handles and hinges, and a surface that looks amateur even from a distance. If you're going to invest time in this project, use the right materials: a bonding primer, a water-based alkyd or urethane-modified paint formulated for trim and cabinets, and spray application if you have access to the equipment. Otherwise, hire a professional — it'll cost more upfront but you'll only do it once.