How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets in Chicago, IL? [2026 Data]

The cost to paint kitchen cabinets in Chicago, Illinois, is $818 on average, with most projects falling between $400 and $1,236 for materials and labor. The type of cabinets you have will determine how much prep work and what type of paint you need, and the number of cabinets also influences cost. In Chicago, those classic bungalows and graystone buildings may be in landmark districts, which means you’ll also need to consider permit fees and city approvals to make any changes to your kitchen.

Kitchen Cabinet Painting Cost Factors 

Kitchen cabinet painting costs in Chicago, Illinois, depend primarily on the size of your kitchen—or the number of cabinets (plus drawers and doors) you have. However, costs also vary based on the cabinet material, the type of paint, and the amount of prep needed for a smooth finish.

Kitchen Size

On average, painting kitchen cabinets costs between $3 and $14 per square foot, or between $30 and $70 per linear foot. This price includes all the supplies, materials, and labor you'll need to get the job done. Here’s a breakdown of the cost to paint cabinets based on kitchen size:

Cabinet Material

Kitchen cabinets come in a variety of materials, with some requiring a slightly different approach to achieve a smooth, uniform coat of paint. Here’s a look at the individual costs for each type of cabinet material:

Type of Paint

There are many different types of paint available, with per-gallon rates ranging anywhere from $20 to $80. A gallon of paint costs $15 to $60 for a standard brand or $50 to $100 for a designer brand. Each gallon covers between 350 and 400 square feet. There are slight cost differences between the different types of paint per gallon.

You can also choose between the different types of paint finishes, commonly known as sheens. The shinier the paint, the more you’ll pay. Pros recommend semi-gloss and high-gloss, the two highest sheens available, for kitchen cabinets since they’re the most durable options and the easiest to clean.

Painting Method

Even when you hire an interior painting pro to paint your kitchen cabinets, you’ll still have to account for how a chosen painting method will impact the cost. You can hire a pro to paint with a brush, roller, or sprayer.

Hiring a pro to brush paint can save you money on paint costs, but you’ll spend more on labor since brush painting takes more time and energy. On the other hand, spray painting can save you money on labor since it takes less time. However, you’ll likely end up spending more on high-quality paint. 

Paint Color

If you're planning to switch from a darker color to a lighter color for your kitchen cabinets, your best option is to sand or strip off the existing paint. However, if you're short on time or your cabinets are already in good condition, budgeting $45 per gallon for a good primer is essential to ensure proper coverage.

Kitchen Layout and Cabinet Composition 

Some contractors might charge a different way based on the specific sections of your cabinets. For example, you could expect to pay $100 per cabinet door. For drawers, it might be closer to $25 per drawer. And if you're looking to paint an entire cabinet, the cost can range from $75 to $150 per cabinet.

Your unique kitchen layout can also affect how much you pay to paint your kitchen cabinets. Complex kitchen layouts with tight, hard-to-reach spaces can make the job tedious, which can also raise the price. 

Prep

While you can do the following steps yourself, it can be a lot of work. If you’re willing to spend a bit more and hire a professional cabinet painter, you could save yourself some time and energy. 

• Stripping: Sandpaper costs $5 to $10, and a chemical stripper ranges from $7 to $50

• Removing appliances, doors, and drawers: All you need is a screwdriver

• Site prep: Drop cloths and cleaning agents cost under $20

Repairs

While you’re refreshing the look of your kitchen cabinets, you’ll also want to budget for the cost of repairing the cabinets if needed, which falls between $140 and $500. This will cover basic repairs such as broken hardware, loose hinges, scratches, and peeling paint. 

Hardware

The cost to install new cabinet hardware is less than $100 in most cases, but costs can go as high as $1,000 or more for designer or antique varieties. If your hardware is in good shape, this isn’t a necessary cost. 

However, selecting new cabinet hardware can modernize your cabinets and beautifully complement your new paint color, so it may be worth the extra investment if you’re going for a brand-new look.

Interior Painting Pro Costs

The cost to paint kitchen cabinets can include up to 80% labor costs, and for good reason: This project can take anywhere from 20 to 40 hours when done by the pros, or even longer for DIYers. Keep in mind that even small mistakes can lead to a streaky, low-quality finish that could ultimately hurt your property value or cost even more to redo.

That’s why it’s best to budget for the following costs to hire a cabinet refinishing pro in Chicago, Illinois, to help you complete this project.

Labor

Labor costs to paint kitchen cabinets in Chicago are higher than average, with prices ranging from $20 to $150 per hour, per worker, depending on the size and complexity of the job. However, most pros charge per linear foot, per square foot, or per cabinet for this project rather than charging by the hour.

Permits

Chicago doesn’t require a building permit to install or paint kitchen cabinets, unless you live in a designated Chicago Landmark building or district such as Pullman District or the Lakeview Avenue Row House District. In that case, you’ll need a permit from the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Planning and Development. Permit fees, if any, depend on your specific project.

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

In addition to hiring a cabinet refinishing pro for this project, you may want to work with other experts to achieve your dream kitchen. For instance, an interior designer can help you find the right hardware or new backsplash to match the freshly painted cabinets, and a handyperson can make cabinet repairs or install knobs and drawer pulls.

• Interior designer cost: $4,640–$18,090

• Painter cost: $1,000–$4,200

• Handyperson cost: $160–$560

Does Painting Kitchen Cabinets Increase Home Value?

As long as you have your cabinets painted professionally for the most seamless finish, you could get nearly a 100% return on your investment in this project.

Many Chicago, Illinois, homes still have solid wood cabinets with plenty of life left that need a simple refresh. Paint can be a more affordable alternative to replacing your kitchen cabinets, while still attracting potential buyers if you’re looking to sell your home soon. White, gray, or beige have wide appeal in the Chicago area, but right now, warm earth tones are also popular in kitchens here.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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