A cabinet painting job lives or dies by the prep work, and prep is the part you'll never see in the finished product. That makes choosing the right contractor more important than choosing the right color. Here's how to do it with confidence.
Questions CabinetPainterQuotes Recommends You Ask
- How many cabinet jobs have you completed in the last year? Cabinet specialists will have a portfolio of recent kitchens, not just rooms they've painted.
- What is your prep process? Listen for degreasing, scuff-sanding, filling dents and using a bonding primer.
- What product will you use? A cabinet-grade enamel, urethane-modified alkyd or catalyzed coating is a good sign. Plain wall paint is not.
- Do you spray, brush or roll? Spraying doors in a controlled area produces the smoothest finish.
- How will you protect my kitchen? Expect masking of counters, floors and appliances, plus a plan for dust and overspray.
- What warranty do you offer? Get the length and what it covers, such as peeling or chipping, in writing.
Red Flags CabinetPainterQuotes Wants You to Watch For
- A price far below every other estimate with no explanation
- Large upfront deposits demanded in cash
- No proof of insurance or, where required, licensing
- Vague estimates that don't list the number of doors or the products used
- Pressure to sign the same day
Paperwork to Check Before Hiring Through CabinetPainterQuotes
Before work starts, make sure you have a written contract that lists the scope, price, payment schedule, start and end dates, products, number of coats and warranty terms. Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance, and check your state or local licensing board if your area requires contractors to be licensed for this type of work.
Comparing Your CabinetPainterQuotes Estimates
Line up at least three written estimates and compare them item by item. Price matters, but so do communication, references and how clearly each contractor explains their process. The best choice is often the contractor who answers your questions most clearly, not the one with the lowest number.
For help understanding the numbers, see our cabinet painting cost guide. When you're ready, request free estimates from local pros.