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Updating your cabinets is one of the fastest ways to transform a kitchen or bathroom, but the results depend entirely on the contractor you choose. Cabinet painting is a specialty—not just a routine painting task—and Florida homeowners need professionals who understand the unique demands of our climate, including high humidity, sunlight exposure, and salt air in coastal regions.
Hiring the right cabinet painting contractor ensures long-lasting results, protects your investment, and helps prevent costly issues like peeling, bubbling, or uneven finishes. This 10-step checklist gives Florida homeowners a clear, practical guide to evaluating contractors before signing any agreement.
Cabinet painting requires different skills, tools, and products than standard wall painting. Not all painters specialize in cabinets, and using someone inexperienced can lead to finishes that chip or peel quickly—especially in Florida’s humid environment.
Ask to see dedicated cabinet before-and-after photos, not just general painting work. A true cabinet specialist should have a gallery of completed projects that show smooth, factory-style spray finishes and detailed prep work.
Proper preparation is the key to a long-lasting finish. Cabinets must be degreased, sanded, cleaned, and primed correctly. In Florida, where airborne moisture and oils accumulate quickly, skipping prep can ruin a project.
A reputable contractor should have a clear, step-by-step prep plan that includes:
Anything less should be considered a major red flag.
Brushes and rollers leave texture, streaks, and visible marks. For durable, professional results, cabinet painting requires a smooth, sprayed finish using controlled equipment designed for fine surfaces.
A genuine contractor should be equipped with:
Homeowners should not accept a quote that includes brushing cabinet doors—spraying is the industry standard.
Not all paints are made for cabinets, and the wrong products can fail fast in Florida’s climate. High humidity affects curing and adhesion, so contractors must use premium enamels and primers formulated for cabinets, not basic interior paint.
A strong finish system includes:
Professionals should easily explain why they use specific materials and how they withstand Florida humidity. The Florida Climate Center provides climate data that illustrates why proper coatings matter.
A trustworthy contractor provides a detailed, written estimate that outlines:
This protects both you and the contractor.
A solid warranty demonstrates confidence in workmanship and materials. Professional cabinet painters typically offer warranties that cover peeling, chipping, and adhesion issues for a set period.
In Florida’s climate, a warranty is especially important due to humidity and temperature swings.
• Written warranty
• Coverage of adhesion and peeling issues
• Explanation of what voids the warranty
• Realistic time frame (not “lifetime,” which is rarely reliable)
Online reviews help verify workmanship, consistency, and customer service. Look for patterns—not just star ratings. Reviews should mention:
Ask for references from Florida homeowners with homes similar to yours. Climate and conditions vary across the state, so local experience matters.
Cabinet painting projects typically take 3–7 days, depending on kitchen size. However, in Florida, contractors may adjust schedules due to humidity’s impact on drying and curing.
Ask contractors how they:
A professional should have a clear, climate-aware process.
The best contractors make the process easy to understand and stress-free. During the estimate and planning process, evaluate whether they:
Professionalism at the beginning sets the tone for the entire project.
Florida’s high humidity, temperature swings, and coastal conditions make cabinet painting more challenging than in many other states. Contractors must understand:
This is why hiring a general house painter—rather than a cabinet specialist—can lead to poor long-term results.
Cabinet painting is one of the most valuable and cost-effective updates you can make to your home, but the results depend entirely on the professional you hire. With Florida’s unique climate, the right contractor needs specialized skills, premium materials, and a proven process tailored to our environment.
By following this 10-step checklist, Florida homeowners can confidently choose a painting contractor who delivers smooth, durable, beautifully finished cabinets that last for years.
No. Cabinet painting is a specialty trade, and Florida’s humidity makes it even more demanding. General house painters often lack the prep process, spray equipment, and cabinet-grade products required for durable results. Hiring a contractor who specializes in cabinets greatly reduces the risk of peeling, bubbling, or uneven finishes.
Spraying creates a smooth, factory-style finish that brushes and rollers can’t match. Brush marks and roller texture are more likely to show on cabinet surfaces and can trap moisture in Florida’s humid environment, leading to premature wear. Professional spraying also improves durability and overall appearance.
A qualified contractor should use cabinet-grade enamel paired with a high-adhesion primer designed to cure properly in humid conditions. Standard wall paint is not durable enough for cabinets and often fails faster in Florida’s climate. Contractors should clearly explain their full paint system and why it’s climate-appropriate.
Extremely low quotes often mean prep is being skipped, inferior materials are used, or doors will be brushed instead of sprayed. A legitimate estimate should include detailed prep steps, door and drawer counts, spray application, materials, timeline, and warranty. If any of those are missing, the price may reflect shortcuts that lead to costly problems later.
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