Cabinet Painting Estimates: Doors, Drawers, Coats and Finish
Cabinet painting is high-value work with high expectations. Customers compare it to replacing the cabinets, so the estimate has to explain why a good finish takes time.
Count Doors and Drawers
The most common pricing method is per door and per drawer front, plus the boxes. Count them on the walk-through and write the counts into the estimate description: “32 doors, 14 drawer fronts, island and perimeter boxes.” It shows the customer you looked closely.
The Process Is the Price
Spell out the steps: remove doors and hardware, clean and degrease, sand, prime with a bonding primer, two or three finish coats, rehang and adjust. Customers who see the steps stop comparing you to the cheapest quote.
Coats and Sheen
Cabinets usually get semi-gloss or satin and often three coats. Record the coats and sheen on the estimate. They carry to the job, so the crew knows a third coat was sold.
Colors and Product
Note the color and the product line, such as a urethane enamel. If the customer wants two-tone, an island in navy and perimeter in white, record both.
Where the Work Happens
Many painters spray doors off-site or in the garage. Put that in the access notes: “Doors labeled and set up in the garage.” It tells the crew and reminds the customer.
Set Expectations on Time
Cabinet jobs take days because of dry time between coats. Put the expected timeline in the estimate notes. A customer who knows the kitchen is out of commission for a week is a happier customer than one who finds out on day two.
More on this topic: the Painting Estimate Software page and the rest of its guides.
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Spell out the doors, the prep and the coats on every cabinet estimate.
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