DIY vs Professional Cabinet Refinishing: Honest Comparison

The internet is full of DIY cabinet painting tutorials making it look easy. As professionals, we want to give you an honest comparison so you can make the right choice for your situation.

True DIY Costs

YouTube videos rarely show the full cost. Here's what DIY really requires:

Materials

| Item | Cost |

|------|------|

| Primer (2-3 gallons) | $80-$120 |

| Paint (2-3 gallons) | $150-$250 |

| Brushes/Rollers | $40-$60 |

| Sandpaper (multiple grits) | $30-$50 |

| Degreaser/TSP | $20-$30 |

| Painter's tape | $25-$40 |

| Drop cloths | $20-$30 |

| Wood filler | $15-$25 |

| Foam roller covers | $30-$45 |

| Tack cloths | $10-$15 |

| Materials Total | $420-$665 |

Tools (if not owned)

| Item | Cost |

|------|------|

| Orbital sander | $60-$150 |

| HVLP sprayer (optional) | $100-$400 |

| Sawhorses | $40-$80 |

| Tools Total | $100-$630 |

Time Investment

| Phase | Hours |

|-------|-------|

| Removing doors/hardware | 3-5 |

| Cleaning/degreasing | 4-6 |

| Sanding | 8-12 |

| Priming | 4-6 |

| Sanding between coats | 4-6 |

| Painting (2 coats) | 8-12 |

| Reassembly | 3-5 |

| Total Hours | 34-52 |

Results Comparison

| Factor | DIY | Professional |

|--------|-----|--------------|

| Finish smoothness | Brush marks common | Glass-smooth spray |

| Durability | 3-5 years typical | 10-15 years |

| Color consistency | Varies | Factory-uniform |

| Drips/runs | Common | Eliminated |

| Professional appearance | Rarely | Always |

The Hidden Challenges

DIYers frequently underestimate:

Surface Preparation

Application Skills

Drying/Curing

Real Comparison

| Factor | DIY | Professional |

|--------|-----|--------------|

| Cost | $500-$1,300 | $4,500-$6,500 |

| Time (yours) | 40-60 hours | 0 hours |

| Time to complete | 2-4 weekends | 3-5 days |

| Finish quality | Variable | Excellent |

| Durability | 3-5 years | 10-15 years |

| Warranty | None | 5 years |

| Stress level | High | None |

When DIY Makes Sense

DIY might work if you:

When to Hire Professionals

Hire professionals when:

Our Honest Recommendation

We've seen many DIY attempts that required professional correction (at higher cost than if we'd done it originally). Unless you have real painting experience, the professional route typically provides better value when you factor in time, materials, durability, and results.

Get a free quote from CabinetPro and compare the true cost. Call (317) 555-0123 today.