Get timing for cabinet painting, from consult to cure. Learn what can speed or slow your job, plus prep tips from our local painting experts.
You open your kitchen cabinets every day. If they look tired and outdated, you probably wonder how long it would take to refresh them. The good news: professional cabinet painting takes 3–7 days from start to finish for a typical Calgary kitchen. That’s a fraction of the time needed for a full renovation, which can drag on for 6–10 weeks or more. At Harding’s Painting, we’ve been transforming kitchens across Canada since 1996, and we know exactly what it takes to deliver a smooth, efficient project in Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, and Hamilton.
Estimating the Timeline for Cabinet Painting
A professional cabinet painting project follows a predictable sequence. Day one covers prep work and priming. Days two through four handle the actual painting, with time between coats for proper drying. Day five or six involves reassembly and final touches. This structured approach keeps the project on track and minimizes disruption to your daily routine.
For most kitchens, the work takes 3 to 7 days. Small kitchens with 10–15 cabinets often finish in 3–5 days. Larger kitchens with more cabinets, intricate details, or additional repairs may extend closer to the 7-day mark. You can usually keep using your kitchen during the work, though access to cabinets will be limited. Our painters work efficiently and clean up at the end of each day, so you won’t face the demolition dust or construction debris that comes with a full renovation.
Critical Factors That Affect Project Duration
Several factors determine how long your specific project will take. The number of cabinets matters most. A small galley kitchen moves faster than a large open-concept space with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. Cabinet condition also plays a role. Minor scratches, dents, and worn spots are fixable within the standard timeline. But severe water damage, extensive rot, or structural failure requires replacement, not painting.
Calgary’s climate adds another layer of consideration. Temperature swings and humidity changes affect paint finishes. Local expertise matters. We understand how these conditions affect drying times and adjust our techniques and materials accordingly. Professional teams also work faster than DIY attempts. DIY cabinet painting will take 2–3x longer to complete the project if all goes smoothly, often stretching to 7–10 days minimum. Professionals complete the same work in 3–4 days by using multiple team members, professional equipment, and established processes.
Importance of Thorough Preparation
Preparation sets the foundation for lasting results and keeps the project moving on schedule. We remove all doors and hardware, then label everything for easy reinstallation. Every surface gets thorough cleaning to remove grease and grime that would prevent proper adhesion. Careful sanding creates the texture that paint needs to grip. We fill imperfections and apply high-quality primer before any colour goes on.
This prep work takes time, but it prevents problems that would slow down the project later. Skipping steps leads to peeling, chipping, and uneven coverage that requires rework. Our professional preparation process includes thorough inspection, kitchen protection setup, surface cleaning and degreasing, professional sanding, repairs and filling, and primer application. Done right, prep work speeds up the cabinet painting phase and delivers a smooth, factory-like finish without brush marks.
Drying and Curing: The Final Stretch of Cabinet Painting
Painted surfaces need proper drying time before reinstallation. Each coat requires 6–24 hours to dry, depending on the paint type and environmental conditions. Water-based paints dry faster, typically within 30 to 60 minutes, while oil-based options need longer. But drying and curing are different processes.
Paint feels dry to the touch within hours, but cure time usually takes 3-4 weeks. During this period, the paint hardens fully and reaches maximum durability. We inspect every door and drawer before reinstallation and apply a protective topcoat for extra durability. You can use your cabinets once they’re reinstalled, but avoid harsh cleaning chemicals for the first 30 days while the paint fully cures.
Transform Your Cabinets with Professional Support
Cabinet painting offers a fast, cost-effective way to refresh your kitchen. A typical project costs $3,000–$8,000 and takes 3–7 days, compared with full replacement starting at $15,000 and running 4–12 weeks or longer. We’ve served Calgary homeowners for over 25 years with consistent results. Our team handles every step, from prep to final inspection, so you get a durable finish without the stress of DIY or the disruption of a full renovation.
Ready to transform your cabinets? Contact Harding’s Painting for a free cabinet painting consultation. We’ll assess your cabinets, discuss your timeline, and provide a detailed quote. With locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, and Hamilton, we’re ready to help you refresh your kitchen in days, not weeks.
