If you’re a homeowner in McHenry County, Illinois and thinking about updating your kitchen, painting your cabinets is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to transform the space.
Compared to replacing cabinets or refacing them, professional cabinet painting delivers a dramatic improvement at a fraction of the cost.
But one of the most common questions local homeowners ask is: How much does cabinet painting really cost in McHenry County?
The photo features cabinet door frames we prepped and spray-painted.
The answer depends on several key factors, including the size of your kitchen, the number of doors and drawers, the condition of the cabinets, the materials used, and the process your painter uses.
In this guide, we’ll break down every major cost factor, explain what goes into a quality cabinet painting project, and give a realistic price range for homes throughout McHenry County—including Crystal Lake, McHenry, Lake in the Hills, Huntley, Algonquin, Cary, Woodstock, Johnsburg, and surrounding areas.
Our goal is to help homeowners understand what they are paying for so you can make an informed decision and avoid low-quality shortcuts that lead to peeling, chipping, and costly redos.
This photo is from an oak cabinet painting project in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
1. The Size of the Kitchen and Number of Doors & Drawers
The single biggest factor affecting the cost of cabinet painting is the number of doors and drawers.
Most professional painters base their estimates heavily on this count because every piece must be removed, prepped, sanded, primed, sprayed, and reinstalled.
Typical Cabinet Door Counts in McHenry County
Here’s what we typically see in local homes:
Small kitchens (13–22 doors)
Medium kitchens (24–34 doors)
Large kitchens (36–46+ doors)
If your home has an island, pantry doors, decorative end caps, crown molding, or additional woodwork, those pieces also increase the overall price.
Cabinets with glass doors will also increase the price because the interior must be painted since it’s visible. The shelves behind the glass must also be removed and painted.
Price Impact
More doors and drawers = more labor + more materials.
A small kitchen may take a little over one week, while a large kitchen can easily take two weeks or more.
2. The Condition of the Cabinets
The condition of your cabinets plays a major part in determining the cost.
Many homes in McHenry County—especially older homes or houses with original oak cabinetry—require extra prep.
Common conditions that impact the price:
• Oak cabinets with deep wood grain
Oak is common throughout McHenry County, and while beautiful, it requires additional sanding, filling, and priming to prevent the grain from showing through the finish.
Achieving a smooth, modern look takes significantly more time than painting maple or cherry cabinets.
• Wear, grease, and buildup
Cabinets accumulate oils, grime, and fingerprints over the years. Thorough cleaning is required to ensure the new coating bonds properly.
• Peeling clear coat or worn finish
When the factory finish has broken down, painters must do more prep to ensure durability.
• Holes and Damage
Any damaged areas must be repaired, filled, or sanded, which increases labor time.
Painters who cut corners on prep work may offer lower prices, but the finish often peels within months. Quality prep is the backbone of a long-lasting result.
This picture is from a cabinet painting project in Huntley, Illinois near Reed Road.
3. The Painting Process Used
The process a painter uses is one of the most important cost factors—and one of the easiest for homeowners to overlook.
Not all cabinet painting methods produce the same results.
Here are the major process differences:
Spraying vs. Brushing/Rolling
Spraying produces a smooth, factory-style finish with no brush marks.
Brushing/rolling is faster and cheaper—but looks hand-painted and shows texture.
In McHenry County, experienced cabinet painters, like Advantage Painting Services, spray the doors and drawers. We also spray the cabinet frames onsite.
Two-coat primer system vs. one coat
Professional cabinet painters typically use:
A bonding primer to ensure adhesion
A stain-blocking or sealing primer to prevent bleed-through from wood tannin
Oak and older cabinets almost always require two coats of a stain-blocking primer sealer.
Sanding the wood
High-quality painters sand between every coat to achieve a flawless finish.
Jobsite setup and containment
Protecting floors, counters, appliances, lighting, and walls takes time and requires materials like plastic sheeting, masking tape, drop cloths, and zip walls.
Painters who skip these steps may charge less, but the finish will not be durable—and overspray damage can quickly turn into a disaster.
4. Materials, Primer, and the Paint
Material choice is a major factor in what you pay.
Professional cabinet painters use high-quality trim enamel and pre-catalyzed lacquer designed to level out as it dries, reducing brush marks and creating a hard, smooth coating.
These coatings cost significantly more than standard wall paint, but they last far longer and resist chipping, grease, and everyday use.
High-quality cabinet coatings typically cost:
$50–$120 per gallon
Job may require 2–4 gallons depending on size
Cheaper paint may reduce cost but almost always results in:
Soft finishes that chip easily
Staining or yellowing
Poor leveling
Visible brush marks
Premature wear
A well-done cabinet project should last 8–10+ years without peeling or chipping, which is why choosing the right materials matters.
5. Setup, Equipment, and Dedicated Spraying Spaces
A large part of the cost comes from equipment and workspace requirements.
Professional cabinet painters use:
HVLP or airless sprayers with fine-finish tips
Ventilation systems
Drying racks
Professional masking and dust containment
Plastic barriers to contain overspray
Sanding equipment
Shop space dedicated to spraying doors and drawers
This setup ensures doors and drawers are sprayed in a controlled environment, which dramatically improves the quality of the finish.
6. Painter Labor Costs in McHenry County
Labor costs vary between painters in Crystal Lake, McHenry, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Woodstock, and surrounding areas, but generally follow similar ranges.
Cabinet painting is highly labor-intensive and involves:
Cleaning
Degreasing
Sanding
Priming
Spraying multiple coats
Reinstalling doors & drawers
Labeling hardware
Touch-ups and adjustments
Masking and covering the entire kitchen
Because of this, labor makes up the majority of the price in professional cabinet painting.
This photo is from a cabinet painting project in Lakewood, IL.
What Cabinet Painting Costs in McHenry County, Illinois
The price range for painting kitchen cabinets in Mchenry County is $3,000 to $8,000.
The price largely depends on the number of doors and drawers, the type of wood, and several other factors outlined in this article.
Additional costs may apply for:
Islands with decorative panels
- Painting shelves
Two-tone color schemes
Crown molding
Cabinet modifications
Glass door interiors
Pantry doors
Additional rooms (bathrooms, laundry cabinets)
Extensive sanding or grain filling on oak
Hardware upgrades
- Filling knob holes or drilling new ones
The price range reflects the cost of hiring experienced cabinet painters in McHenry County—not cut-rate crews who skip steps or provide short-lived results.
Why Cabinet Painting Is One of the Best Investments for Your Home
Cabinet painting is far more affordable than replacing or refacing:
• New cabinets
$12,000 – $30,000+
• Refacing cabinets
$8,500 – $15,000
• Professional cabinet painting
$3,000 – $8,000 depending on size
For many McHenry County homeowners, cabinet painting provides:
A dramatic transformation
A modern, updated look
A durable finish
A huge return on investment
Less mess and disruption
A faster project timeline
Painting can make even older kitchens look completely different—and often better than new stock cabinets.
How Long Does Cabinet Painting Take?
Typical professional timelines:
Small kitchen: 3–6 days
Medium kitchen: 7–10 days
Large kitchen: 11–14+ days
This includes prep, spraying, drying, reinstalling, and cleanup.
This picture features a cabinet painting project in Huntley, IL
What Homeowners Should Ask Before Hiring a Cabinet Painter
Not all painters specialize in cabinets.
Here are key questions that protect you from costly mistakes:
Do you spray the doors and drawers or brush them?
How many coats of primer and paint do you apply?
What type and brand of paint do you use?
Do you sand between coats?
Do you paint the doors inside my home or off-site?
Can you provide local references in McHenry County?
Do you offer a warranty?
How many years have you been painting cabinets?
If a painter cannot confidently answer these questions, proceed with caution.
The picture is from a cherry cabinet painting project in Mchenry, Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does cabinet painting cost in McHenry County, Illinois?
Most cabinet painting projects in McHenry County range from $3,000 to $8,000 and up, depending on the number of doors and drawers, the size of the kitchen, the condition of the cabinets, and the type of paint used.
Is cabinet painting cheaper than replacing cabinets?
Yes. Replacing cabinets can cost $12,000–$30,000+, while professional cabinet painting in McHenry County typically ranges from $3,000–$8,000.
Painting delivers a dramatic transformation at a fraction of the cost.
How long does cabinet painting take?
Most homes require 7 to 14 days, depending on kitchen size, number of pieces, and drying time for primer and paint.
Can painted oak cabinets look smooth and modern?
Yes, but oak requires extra prep. Sanding, cleaning, and applying high-quality primer and cabinetry paint can dramatically reduce visible grain and create a modern, updated finish.
How durable is a professionally painted cabinet finish?
With proper prep and high-quality paint, cabinets can hold up for several years.
Do I need to empty my cabinets before painting?
Doors and drawers are removed and taken offsite for spraying, so you don’t need to empty every cabinet. Most homeowners simply clear counters and items near work areas.
Will there be strong odors during the cabinet painting process?
Professional painters use proper ventilation and select products designed for indoor use, minimizing odors and allowing the home to remain comfortable during the project.
Is cabinet painting a good investment for resale?
Absolutely. Updated cabinets increase home value, improve buyer interest, and modernize the look of your kitchen instantly—especially in competitive McHenry County markets like Crystal Lake and Huntley.
This photo is from a cabinet painting project in Algonquin, IL near Square Barn Road.
Final Thoughts: Is Cabinet Painting Worth the Cost?
For most McHenry County homeowners, the answer is absolutely yes.
When done correctly, cabinet painting can:
Make the entire home feel updated
Increase resale value
Modernize outdated oak cabinets
Brighten dark spaces
Provide a durable, long-lasting finish
And it does all of this for a fraction of the cost of replacing cabinets.
If you’re considering updating your kitchen and have been searching online for cabinet painters near you, hiring a professional painting company can make all the difference.
A well-painted kitchen can completely transform your home—and choosing experienced painters in McHenry County ensures the job is done right the first time.
If you’d like a personalized estimate for cabinet painting, we’d be happy to help. We also offer interior painting service for walls, ceilings, and trim.
Just reach out for a free quote, and we can walk you through the process, pricing, and options to give your kitchen the beautiful upgrade it deserves.