Cabinet Painting · Pasadena, CA

Cabinet Refinishing That Costs a Fraction of Replacing

Painting kitchen cabinets in Pasadena costs $2,000 to $6,500, compared with $4,000 to $9,000 to reface and $12,000 to $35,000 to replace. If the cabinet boxes are structurally sound, refinishing gets you a new kitchen for a fraction of a remodel, and without the countertop, backsplash and plumbing work a replacement usually drags behind it.

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Paint, reface or replace

Option	Cost	Timeline
Painting / refinishing	$2,000–$6,500	Days
Refacing	$4,000–$9,000	~1 week
Full replacement	$12,000–$35,000	3–4 weeks

Replacement rarely stops at cabinets. New boxes trigger countertops ($2,000–$8,000), backsplash ($1,000–$3,000), and plumbing and flooring patches. Plenty of Pasadena "cabinet replacements" end up as $25,000 to $30,000 kitchen renovations once everything connected has to move. Full paint-vs-replace comparison →

Our cabinet process

Doors, drawer fronts and hardware removed, labeled and shop-finished
Degreasing, the step that decides whether the finish bonds on a working kitchen
Sanding and deglossing every surface, boxes included
Filling grain or damage where a smooth finish is the goal
Bonding primer suited to the existing substrate, including factory-finished thermofoil and laminate
Sprayed cabinet-grade finish coats for a factory-flat surface with no brush marks
Full masking and containment so the rest of the house stays clean
Rehang, adjust and hardware reinstall

Rolled or brushed cabinets are the usual reason a DIY kitchen looks repainted rather than refinished. Spraying is what buys the factory look.

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Older Pasadena kitchens

Pasadena's pre-war homes often still have their original built-ins: breakfast-nook cabinetry, glass-front uppers, butler's pantries. Two things worth knowing before painting them: original stained woodwork is effectively irreversible once painted, and in a pre-1978 home any lead work goes to a certified contractor. We raise both during the walkthrough rather than after the doors come off.

How long it lasts

A properly prepped and sprayed cabinet finish typically needs touch-ups every five to eight years, a fraction of the cost and disruption of replacing. Most of the failures we get called to fix are jobs where degreasing or bonding primer was skipped.

Answers

Cabinet Painting in Pasadena FAQ

Do you offer a warranty?

Every project is backed by a written workmanship guarantee: 2 years on refresh and repaint work, 5 years on full-prep jobs with premium coatings. The term is written into your estimate, and the full terms are on our warranty page.

What prep do you do before painting?

Prep is most of the job. Floors, furniture and fixtures get covered, surfaces get cleaned, loose paint is scraped and sanded, cracks and holes are patched, and bare spots are primed before any finish coat goes on. Every step is listed in your written estimate.

How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets in Pasadena?

Cabinet painting in Pasadena costs $2,000 to $6,500, depending on the number of doors and drawers, the existing finish and whether the boxes are included. Refacing runs $4,000 to $9,000 and full replacement $12,000 to $35,000.

Is it cheaper to paint or replace kitchen cabinets?

Painting is far cheaper at $2,000 to $6,500 versus $12,000 to $35,000 to replace. Replacement also usually snowballs into countertops, backsplash and other work, often reaching $25,000 to $30,000.

How long do painted cabinets last?

A properly prepped and sprayed finish typically needs touch-ups every five to eight years. Most early failures trace back to skipped degreasing or the wrong primer.

Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?

Yes, with the correct bonding primer for that substrate. Standard wall primer will not adhere to a factory laminate or thermofoil surface.

How long does a cabinet job take?

Most Pasadena kitchens take three to five working days including removal, prep, spraying and rehang. The kitchen stays usable for most of that time.

Should I paint original built-ins in an older Pasadena home?

Often not. Painting original stained cabinetry in a pre-war home is effectively irreversible and can reduce the home's character and value. We will give you a straight opinion during the walkthrough.

Nearby

Prep first.Paint second.

24 to 48 hoursYour written estimate lands in your inbox
2 to 4 weeksHow far out we usually book
3 equal paymentsAfter a $1,000 deposit books your date (10% on jobs under $10,000)