Cabinet labor guide
How much labor to paint kitchen cabinets?
Cabinet painting is labor-heavy because every component must be cleaned, labeled, sanded, primed, coated, dried, handled, and often reinstalled.
Count components first
Start with doors, drawer fronts, cabinet box sections, end panels, islands, shelves, crown, toe kicks, and any interiors included in the scope.
Typical labor drivers
Labor increases when cabinets need heavy degreasing, old coating removal, grain filling, repairs, caulking, masking, hardware replacement, color changes, or a high-smoothness finish expectation.
Simple planning ranges
A starting estimate might use about 0.5 to 1.0 labor hour per door or drawer front, plus separate time for boxes, setup, masking, cleaning, and reinstall work. Complex jobs can exceed that range.
Do not forget handling time
Removing doors, labeling parts, transporting them, setting up racks, waiting for dry time, flipping parts, and reinstalling hardware can create real labor even when spray time is short.
Price materials separately
Cabinet coatings, primer, sandpaper, masking materials, cleaner, caulk, filler, strainers, tips, and protective supplies should be included outside the pure labor calculation.