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Cabinet Painting vs. Replacing in Vancouver: What’s Actually Worth It? (2026)

New cabinets can cost as much as a used car. Repainting them costs a fraction — and usually looks just as good. Here’s the honest breakdown.

White kitchen cabinets fully refinished by Exceptional Painting Inc — project cost about $3,500
Our latest kitchen project — full cabinet refinishing, about $3,500

The quick answer:

If your cabinet boxes are solid and you like the layout, paint them. If the layout doesn’t work or boxes are falling apart, replace them. Most Vancouver kitchens we see fall in the first camp.

Our pricing: simple, per piece:

  • $130 per door
  • $130 per drawer

Count your doors and drawers, multiply by 130 — that’s your price, all in. Example: a kitchen with 20 doors and 8 drawers = 28 pieces x $130 = $3,640.

We spray with Envirolak primer + Envirolak topcoat — professional-grade cabinet coatings, sanded smooth between coats for a factory-like finish. For context: refacing typically runs $8,000-$15,000 and full replacement $15,000-$40,000+ in Metro Vancouver, so repainting usually lands well under half of replacement.

Navy kitchen after full home repaint by Exceptional Painting Inc, kitchen design by Geoliving Construction
Full home repaint including all ceilings by Exceptional Painting Inc — kitchen design by our partners at Geoliving Construction

How professional cabinet painting actually works:

  1. Remove and label every door, drawer, and piece of hardware.
  2. Deep clean and degrease — kitchen cabinets hold years of cooking residue; paint won’t stick without this step.
  3. Sand and repair — scuff-sand everything, fill dings where needed.
  4. Prime with a bonding primer made for slick surfaces.
  5. Spray two finish coats of Envirolak topcoat for a factory-smooth finish.
  6. Cure and reinstall — we let everything harden properly before it goes back on.

When painting is the right call:

  • Boxes are structurally sound, you just hate the colour or the finish is worn.
  • You like the kitchen layout and don’t want a renovation.
  • You’re selling soon and want maximum ROI — repainted kitchens photograph beautifully.

When you should replace instead:

  • You want a different layout (moving plumbing, walls, or the island).
  • Boxes are water-damaged, warped, or falling apart.

FAQs:

  • How long does it take? Most kitchens: 4-6 days including cure time. You can usually keep using the kitchen in the evenings.
  • Will the paint chip? Not when it’s done right. Degreasing, bonding primer, and sprayed Envirolak are the difference between a 10-year finish and a 10-month one.
  • Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets? Laminate: yes, with the right primer. Peeling thermofoil: usually better to replace those doors — we’ll assess honestly.
  • What coating do you use? Envirolak primer and topcoat — catalyzed, ultra-durable coatings made for kitchens, sprayed for a flawless finish.

Get an exact price for your kitchen: cabinet pricing depends on door count and condition — send us a few photos or book a free walkthrough. For whole-home costs, see our Vancouver painting costs guide. We also do full interior painting for walls, ceilings, and trim. Call or text (236) 995-6777 anywhere in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Langley, or New Westminster.