If you're considering painting your kitchen or bathroom cabinets, chances are you're staring at them right now thinking, “I want these to look better, but I have no clue what to expect or ask.” Maybe you've had quotes in the past that seemed too cheap to be good, or others that left you wondering what was really included. Most homeowners don’t paint their cabinets often, so when it’s time to get a quote, it can feel like you’re trying to speak a different language. And because it’s not a cheap project, it’s nerve-wracking to feel like you might miss something important.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve been painting cabinets in Omaha homes since 1996. We’re not writing this article to sell you something, we’re writing it because we’ve seen too many homeowners get stuck with confusing quotes, poor quality finishes, or projects that drag on much longer than expected. We know what questions are worth asking before you sign anything. And even if you don’t hire us, we want you to feel confident and educated when it’s time to talk with any painter about your cabinet project.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the most important questions to ask a painter when getting a quote for cabinet painting. You’ll learn how to understand what’s included, how to spot red flags, and how to compare quotes fairly. By the end, you’ll have a list of smart questions and be able to make a well-informed decision about who paints the cabinets in your home.
Cabinets get touched, bumped, and wiped down often, so they need a finish that can hold up. Not all paints are made for cabinets, and not all painters use products that are meant to last in a high-use space like a kitchen or bathroom.
Ask your painter what exact product they plan to use and whether it’s made for cabinets. For example, at Brush & Roll Painting, we use a 2K polyurethane called Milesi, which cures hard and is resistant to moisture, fading, abrasion, and everyday wear. Some painters may use regular cabinet or woodwork paint from the hardware store on cabinets, which won’t last nearly as long and can chip more easily.
Also ask:
Prep work is the difference between a cabinet job that lasts five years and one that starts peeling in six months. But it’s also the part many companies skip or rush through.
You want to hear that your painter will:
Prep should not mean just “lightly wiping and spraying.” Ask how much time is dedicated to this part and whether it’s done on-site or off-site.
Cabinet doors and drawers are often removed and painted in a spray booth or workshop. But what about the cabinet frames attached to your walls? These are usually painted in place, which means your painter needs to take steps to protect your home.
Ask:
If a painter doesn’t bring up containment or protection methods, that’s a red flag.
Even if the painter does a great job on the boxes, poor results on the doors and drawers will ruin the whole look. You’ll want to know where and how these parts will be painted.
Ask:
Also, ask how long they’ll need to keep the doors and drawers. Some companies remove them for 2-3 weeks, while others return them the next day.
A good warranty says more about a company than you might think. It means they trust their process and are willing to stand behind it.
Ask:
If the warranty is only a few months or isn’t written down, it might not mean much.
It helps to know who will actually be working in your home. Some companies use employees they’ve trained themselves. Others hire subcontractors who may do things differently than expected.
Ask:
This gives you a better idea of who will be in your home and how consistent the work will be.
Living without cabinet doors or kitchen access for too long is frustrating. You’ll want to know how long each phase of the project takes.
Ask:
Drying and curing times can vary depending on the products used. Make sure you understand the timeline and how long it’ll be before you’re fully back to normal.
Quotes should be clear and include everything from materials to prep to final coats. But things sometimes come up that could add cost, and you deserve to know what those might be.
Ask:
Also, ask if there are options for upgrades, like soft-close hinges or custom finishes, and what those cost.
This might be the most important question to ask. Seeing real projects gives you a feel for the painter’s style and quality. Ask for before-and-after photos or videos, or better yet, ask if you can speak to a past client.
Ask:
A company that’s proud of its work will be happy to show it off. And if they hesitate or dodge the question, that may tell you something, too.
Getting your cabinets painted is one of the best ways to refresh your home without a full remodel. But knowing what to ask before you sign a quote can save you from a lot of headaches. In this article, we’ve covered the key questions that will help you understand what you’re really getting from products, prep, and warranties.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve been helping Omaha homeowners navigate cabinet painting decisions since 1996. We’ve seen it all, and we’ve helped fix plenty of projects that didn’t start right. We’re here as a guide to help you feel confident in the decisions you make — no pressure, just experience.
Ready to take the next step? Click the button below to get a quote from a professional painter who will walk you through each step with clarity and honesty.
If you're curious what your cabinet painting project might cost, try out our easy-to-use cabinet pricing calculator. It gives you a ballpark estimate based on your cabinet layout, helping you plan ahead with confidence before reaching out for quotes. It’s a helpful way to start budgeting without any pressure.