Cabinet Refinishing & ROI Calculator
Accurately estimate materials, contractor estimates, and calculate your total DIY savings.
How to Use the Calculator
This tool calculates your exact material needs and instantly compares your DIY costs against a professional contractor replacement.
- Number of Doors: Count the total number of cabinet doors in your kitchen and enter the exact whole number.
- Number of Drawers: Count the total number of drawer fronts in your space and enter the whole number.
- Linear Feet: Measure the total combined length of your upper and lower cabinet banks. Enter the whole feet in the first box, and select the remaining inches from the fraction dropdown.
As you enter your measurements, the calculator will automatically update to show your total square footage (including a standard 10% waste factor), the exact gallons of paint and primer required, and your total money saved by choosing to DIY.
Project Overview
A full kitchen remodel is one of the most expensive investments you can make in your home. If your cabinet boxes are structurally sound, ripping them out is just throwing money in the dumpster.
Enter your kitchen size below to instantly calculate how much you will save by keeping your existing frames and using our pro-grade Surface-and-Finish painting method instead of hiring a contractor.
How much money do you save by painting kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them?
By painting your existing cabinets using a pro-grade hybrid enamel, you can save between $14,500 and $24,500 compared to a full contractor replacement. DIY painting typically costs $200 to $450 in materials, while a full kitchen cabinet replacement averages $15,000 to $25,000.
When deciding how to update your kitchen, it all comes down to the structural integrity of your current boxes. If your cabinet frames are in good shape, ripping them out is like throwing away money. Use the calculator above to see your exact savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does painting cabinets add as much home value as replacing them?
A. Yes. Real estate data consistently shows that a freshly painted, modern kitchen yields one of the highest returns on investment of any home upgrade. Buyers look at the aesthetic and finish; they rarely care if the internal cabinet box is brand new or painted over.
Q. How long do painted kitchen cabinets last?
A. When prepped correctly and painted with a modern waterborne-alkyd (hybrid) enamel, DIY painted cabinets can last 10 to 15 years without chipping or peeling. Standard latex wall paint should never be used on cabinetry, as it will remain sticky and peel within months.
Q. Is cabinet refacing a good middle ground?
A. Cabinet refacing (keeping your boxes but paying a company to install brand new custom doors) is a great option if your current door style is heavily dated (like 1980s arched cathedral doors). However, if you already have shaker-style or flat-panel doors, refacing is often an unnecessary expense compared to simply painting them.
Planning your next project? Browse our master hub of Free DIY Home & Garden Calculators to get instant material lists, spacing math, and budget estimates.