Thinking about updating your kitchen without a full remodel? Cabinet painting can deliver a factory-level finish for a fraction of replacement. In Florida, success comes down to the right coating system, humidity control, and a clean spray process. This guide explains real pricing ranges, what affects the cost, and how to get a durable finish that looks built-in.
Average Cabinet Painting Cost in Florida
Pricing varies by door and drawer count, current finish, and the coating system. These ranges reflect premium shop-sprayed finishes used by top Florida contractors.
| Kitchen size | Typical fronts (doors + drawers) | Premium repaint range |
|---|---|---|
| Small galley | 18–25 | $3,500–$6,000 |
| Medium kitchen | 26–40 | $6,000–$9,500 |
| Large kitchen | 41–60 | $9,500–$14,000+ |
| XL or luxury kitchens | 60+ or multi-room banks | $14,000–$22,000+ |
Add-ons that change pricing:
- Grain filling for open-grain oak
- Color shift to bright whites
- Island in a contrasting color
- New hardware layout and hole fill
- Crown, panels, end caps, hood surrounds
- Minor carpentry or hinge upgrades
What Drives Cost in Florida
1. Door and drawer count
More surfaces mean more prep, priming, and spray time.
2. Existing finish
Heavy grease, furniture-grade stains, silicone polishes, and failing coatings require extra decontamination and bonding primer.
3. Desired finish system
- Waterborne acrylic urethane: excellent durability, low odor, non-yellowing.
- 2K polyurethane: the most durable and chemical-resistant. Pro-only, strict mixing and safety.
- Oil or alkyd: levels well but can yellow and cure slowly in humidity. Not recommended for Florida kitchens.
4. On-site conditions
Masking, dust control, negative air, and dehumidification keep frames pristine while doors and drawers are finished off-site.
5. Detailing
Panels, beadboard, glass doors, crown, and decorative ends add time.
The Factory-Smooth Process We Recommend
- Label, remove, and transport doors and drawers to the shop.
- Degrease and degloss with a TSP substitute, then rinse.
- Mechanical scuff and sand to promote adhesion.
- Spot repairs and fills for dents, seams, and previous hardware holes.
- Bonding or stain-blocking primer chosen for the substrate, then sand smooth.
- Build coats with a surfacer when needed for ultra-flat panels.
- Spray two to three topcoats of waterborne acrylic urethane or 2K poly to a target film build.
- On-site frames are masked and sprayed, with dehumidification to control cure.
- Reinstall, adjust, and final dust-free wipe down for a showroom finish.
Florida-Specific Tips for a Longer-Lasting Finish
- Keep interior humidity under 55 percent during and after coating.
- Use non-silicone cleaners. Polishes with silicone contaminate surfaces and can cause fish-eyes.
- Fit soft-close hardware to reduce impact wear on door edges.
- Wipe spills promptly. Avoid ammonia and harsh degreasers on fresh coatings.
- Schedule during drier months for faster cure and fewer delays.
Common Questions
How long will a professional cabinet repaint last?
With correct prep and premium coatings, 7 to 10 years is typical in Florida kitchens. Many last longer with gentle cleaning and soft-close hardware.
How many days does the project take?
A mid-size kitchen usually takes 5 to 7 working days. Doors are finished in the shop while frames are completed on site.
Can you paint thermofoil doors?
Only if the wrap is fully bonded. Any delamination must be stripped and the substrate stabilized first. Often replacement doors are the smarter choice.
Do you paint inside the boxes?
Most homeowners keep interiors natural for durability and odor control. Color-matching interiors is optional and priced separately.
Ready for a factory-smooth cabinet finish
At Legacy Applications, our craftsmen deliver shop-sprayed, humidity-smart cabinet finishes that look built in and wear beautifully. We specify the right system for your doors, set up clean air control, and pace the project so cure and reassembly are flawless.
Book your free consultation today, and receive a precise count-based quote with options for color, sheen, and hardware.