How To Measure Cabinets for the Cost of Painting

So you’re looking to estimate the cost of your cabinet painting project but are stumped at measuring. You may feel overwhelmed at the thought of trying to figure it all out. Understanding how to measure your cabinets correctly can be the difference between getting an accurate quote and ending up with a sticker shock when the bill arrives. Plus, it's a lot easier than you might think!

At Brush & Roll Painting, we've been transforming Omaha's kitchens for 28+ years. With a detailed prep work process and a high-quality, durable product, the cabinet painting work we do is made to last.

In this article, we will go over how to measure the linear feet of your cabinets. By the time you finish reading this article, you'll be a pro at measuring your cabinets. You'll be able to plug these numbers into a pricing calculator and get a ballpark figure for your project. No more guessing games or crossing your fingers when you ask for a quote!

Linear Feet & The Cost of Cabinet Painting

Linear feet are a way of measuring length in a straight line. When it comes to cabinets, we use linear feet to measure the total length of all the cabinet faces that need painting.

Now, why does this matter? Well, many painting companies use linear feet to estimate the cost of a cabinet painting project. While you may hear some using square footage, the industry standard and simplest measurement is linear feet.

Linear foot measurements can easily factor in things like islands, peninsulas, and those tricky corner cabinets. These elements might throw off a square footage calculation, but they are easy to include in linear feet.

Here's why taking the time to measure accurately is worth it:

1. Better Budgeting: Knowing the linear feet of your cabinets allows you to get a more accurate estimate of the project cost. This helps you budget better and avoid surprises. You can plug this number into pricing calculators or simply give it to a painting company to get a quick rough estimate.
2. Comparing Apples to Apples: If you're getting quotes from multiple painters, having your linear feet measurement ensures they're all quoting based on the same information.
3. Planning for Paint: Accurate measurements help determine how much paint and other materials are needed, reducing waste and ensuring the job is done efficiently.
4. Time Management: Painters can better estimate how long the job will take based on the linear feet, helping you plan for the disruption to your kitchen routine.

The average kitchen in the U.S. has about 25-30 linear feet of cabinets. But don't worry if your kitchen is bigger or smaller - we're going to show you how to measure it all!

Measuring Linear Feet for Cabinet Painting

Here's how to measure your cabinets like a pro:

1. Gather Your Tools: You'll need a tape measure, a pencil, and a piece of paper. You can use a smartphone notes app, but pen and paper work just fine.
2. Start with the Lower Cabinets: Begin at one end of your lower cabinets and measure along the front face to the other end. This is your first measurement. Write it down.
3. Side Panels Matter: Remember those visible sides of cabinets at the end of a row? Measure those too! They need paint just like the fronts.
4. Move to the Upper Cabinets: Do the same for your upper cabinets. Measure from one end to the other along the front face.
5. Don't Forget the Islands: If you have a kitchen island with cabinets, measure around all four sides.
6. Measuring Around Appliances: If you have a stove or fridge that pulls out, don't forget to measure the sides of the cabinets next to it. These often-forgotten areas need love too!
7. Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets: Do you have any floor-to-ceiling cabinets? Here's a pro tip: multiply their width by three. Painting these cabinets is equivalent to painting three regular cabinets stacked on top of each other.
8. Add It All Up: Once you've got all your measurements, add them together. Voila! You've got the total linear feet of your project.

Let's put this into perspective with an example. Say you're standing in your cozy Omaha kitchen. You've got 10 feet of lower cabinets, 10 feet of upper cabinets, a 3x6 foot island, two 2-foot side panels, and one 2-foot wide pantry cabinet that goes from floor to ceiling. Let's do the math:

• Lower cabinets: 10 feet
• Upper cabinets: 10 feet
• Island: 3 + 3 + 6 + 6 = 18 feet
• Side panels: 2 + 2 = 4 feet
• Pantry cabinet: 2 x 3 = 6 feet

Total: 10 + 10 + 18 + 4 + 6 = 48 linear feet

Common Mistakes When Measuring Cabinets

Now that you're a measuring maestro, let's talk about some common mistakes that can throw off your calculations:

1. Forgetting the Little Guys: Those small cabinets above your fridge or microwave? They count too! Don't leave them out of your measurements.
2. Open Shelving & Bookshelves: If the interior of the cabinet boxes are visible, each side needs to be measured and accounted for. This includes 
3. Overlooking Decorative Elements: If your cabinets have decorative end panels or molding, make sure to include these in your measurements.
4. Side Panels: Here's a biggie that many homeowners miss - the side panels! Those visible sides of cabinets at the end of a row or on a kitchen island? They need to be measured too. They might not seem like much, but forgetting them can significantly underestimate your total linear feet. If it's visible and needs paint, it needs to be measured!

The goal here is to get a reasonably accurate estimate. Don't stress if you're off by a few inches here or there. Any reputable painting company will come out and do their own measurements before starting the job.

What Can Increase the Cost of Cabinet Painting?

While linear feet are a crucial factor in determining the cost of your cabinet painting project, they're not the only thing to consider. Here are a few other elements that might affect the price:

1. Current Condition: Cabinets in poor condition might need more prep work, which can increase the cost.
2. Color Change: Going from a dark color to a light color (or vice versa) will require more work.
3. Hardware: Are you changing out your cabinet hardware? This can add to the overall cost but can make a big difference in the final look.
4. Special Finishes: If you're dreaming of a special finish like toning or glazing, this will likely increase the cost.

Remember, a good painting company will take all these factors into account when giving you a quote.

Cost of Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets

When you first stood in your kitchen, staring at those tired old cabinets, the thought of updating them probably felt overwhelming. The questions were piling up: How much would it cost? How do I even start planning this project?

Now, you've got the tools to take that crucial first step towards your kitchen transformation. No more guessing games or crossing your fingers when asking for quotes - you're prepared to have informed conversations with painting professionals.

Understanding linear feet and how to measure your cabinets accurately puts you in control. It helps you budget better, compare quotes more effectively, and have realistic expectations about your project's scope. Plus, you now know about the additional things that can increase the cost of cabinet painting.

At Brush & Roll Painting, we're passionate about helping Omaha homeowners like you breathe new life into their homes. As you are investing into your home, you deserve transparent pricing and to know what to expect before getting quotes.

Next, click the button below to plug the linear feet of your cabinets into our pricing calculator. This calculator will give you a ballpark estimate of the cost of your project by Brush & Roll Painting.