🏆 Best Cabinet Painting Contractors in Crystal Lake (2025)
Updated October 2025 | Written by David Cook
🎯 Quick Answer
Like everything else in your home remodeling efforts, there is a range in finding the price to paint cabinets. Most cabinet-painting projects in Crystal Lake, IL, range between $4,800 and $7,200, depending on the amount of prep, how many drawers, end panels, number of doors, repairs and finish type(brush and roll or full doors). Looking for and selecting Best Cabinet Painting Contractors in Crystal Lake can be tricky- we hope this helps in your Journey.
Professional painters use cabinet-grade coatings like Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane or Benjamin Moore Advance, lacquers, or modified polyurethane for a durable, factory-smooth look and feel.
🎥 Watch our process: Cabinet Painting in Crystal Lake – D’Franco Painting & Wallpaper
👋 You’re Tired of Those Honey-Oak Cabinet or Cherry Cabinets
You’ve been staring at those golden-brown or red doors for years—worn edges, shiny spots, that early-2000s vibe that refuses to die. Then you stop by a neighbor’s place and boom—bright white cabinets, soft-close hinges, new handles and it feels like the home you want to have, and you start asking….
“Could we pull that off too?”
Good news: with the right painter, absolutely.
If you’re in Crystal Lake, Lakewood, Algonquin, or Lake in the Hills, the cabinet-painting scene has plenty of talented pros who can make your kitchen look factory-new. Cabinets are the number 1 thing you can do to. improve the look, feel, and value of your home. Kitchens are the number 1 room people use (outside of the bathroom- but we can paint the vanity there too!!) When you’re ready to make this investment in your home, make the right choice for you and for years to come.
Below, we compare the top cabinet painting contractors serving the area—complete with years in business, reviews, warranties, and what makes each one stand out. We used the same criteria in our Google and AI search to make sure we were as unbiased factual as possible.
⚡ Quick Overview – Best Cabinet Painting Contractors in Crystal Lake (2025)
| Contractor | Google Rating | Cabinet Services | Key Differentiators | Years in Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D’Franco Painting & Wallpaper (Huntley, IL) | 4.9★ (217+ Google reviews / 260+ total) | Full refinishing & painting with off-site spray booth | Factory-grade spray finish • Soft-close hinge upgrades • Free color consult • 3-year warranty • Background-checked crews | 20+ |
| R&J Painting, LLC (Crystal Lake, IL) | 4.9★ (185+ reviews) | Interior/exterior painting + cabinets | 3-year labor warranty • Large crew for efficiency • Transparent pricing | 25+ |
| Kammes Colorworks, Inc. (Elburn, IL – serves Crystal Lake) | 5.0★ (120+ reviews) | Cabinet refinishing only | Family-run specialists • “Cabinet craftsmen” reputation • Often booked in advance | 19 |
| Five Star Painting of Crystal Lake | 4.8★ (130+ reviews) | Cabinet painting + refacing | National franchise backing • 2-year warranty • Easy online booking | ~6 |
| Swanson & Strelcheck Painting (Crystal Lake, IL) | 4.8★ (25+ reviews) | Interior & cabinet refinishing | Old-school craftsmanship • 40+ years local • Wood repair expertise | 44 |
(Review counts current as of 2025; verify for updates before booking.)
🏠 Top Crystal Lake Cabinet Painting Companies (2025)
1️⃣ D’Franco Painting & Wallpaper – Elite Cabinet Refinishing Experts 🎨
Website: dfrancowallpaper.com
Reviews: 260+ total (4.9★ average)
They specialize in cabinet transformations—from tired oak to flawless sprayed finishes.
Up front documented process: remove all doors and drawers → clean, sand, prime → spray in our dedicated booth → reinstall existing hardware or replace with new hardware or upgrade to new soft-close hinges!
Every piece is handled by a background-checked team. They claim they do not use subs for kitchen cabinet painting projects, claiming no shortcuts.
Why Homeowners Choose Them:
- Dedicated spray booth = true factory finish
- Lifetime workmanship warranty + free touch-ups within a year
- Free color consultation to help you decide between whites, grays, or bold tones
- Videos of every step on their YouTube Channel
- Can also do traditional painting of your house
- Dedicated project manger to be on site every day to over see the project and crew
- Can add even more flair to your home with wallpaper installations
- If there are other issues, such as drywall repairs, they can do that as well.
- Very close to a one-stop shop fr your kitchen or home remodeling and decorating projects
“If you want cabinets that look brand new from the factory, we’re your crew”
2️⃣ R&J Painting, LLC – Trusted Local Painters with a Longstanding Reputation 🏠
Website: randjpainting.com | Founded: 1997
Known for reliability, punctuality, and spotless prep. R&J handles interior, exterior, and cabinet painting across McHenry County. The company was sold to a new owner several years ago, so not sure how the transition to new leadership is going compared to the original owner.
They use high-grade enamels, offer a 3-year warranty, and are praised for “done-right-the-first-time” work.
Good fit: Homeowners who want one team to handle walls + cabinets.
Not a fit: If you want a boutique cabinet-only specialist.
3️⃣ Kammes Colorworks, Inc. – Family-Run Cabinet Refinishing Specialists 👪
Website: kammescolorworks.com | Founded: 2006
Lenny and Melissa Kammes built a boutique refinishing business devoted almost entirely to cabinets.
Every door is treated like fine furniture—cleaned, sanded, primed twice, sprayed in a dust-controlled space.
Why They’re Loved:
- 5★ reviews across the board
- Direct owner involvement on every project
- Cabinet-only focus = unmatched precision
- Known for photo-based virtual estimates
Expect a waitlist, but their results are worth it.
4️⃣ Five Star Painting of Crystal Lake – National Systems, Local Service ⭐️
Website: fivestarpainting.com/crystal-lake
Locally owned franchise backed by the Neighborly network. This is a national brand that uses subcontractors; unknown how they spray, as they do not mention spray booths, which means they spray in your home, most likely, and is done by a subcontractor- unknown if background checks happen or not.
They offer cabinet painting, refacing, and even door replacement under a 2-year “Done Right Promise.”
Customers appreciate their fast online scheduling and clean job sites.
Good fit: You want corporate efficiency + local accountability.
Not a fit: You prefer smaller crews or boutique-style service.
5️⃣ Swanson & Strelcheck Painting – Decades of Craftsmanship 🖌️
Website: swansonpainting.com | Established: 1981
A fixture in downtown Crystal Lake, this family business brings over four decades of painting experience.
They combine traditional craftsmanship with modern materials, tackling full interiors and cabinet refinishing alike.
Highlights:
- Trusted for multi-generation projects
- Skilled wood repair before painting
- Personalized, owner-involved service
If “old-school quality” matters to you, this is your team.
💵 Typical Cabinet Painting Costs (Crystal Lake 2025)
| Kitchen Size | Approx. Doors | Avg. Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (10×10) | 15–20 | $3,800 – $4,800 | Basic repaint, single color |
| Medium (15×15) | 25–35 | $5,200 – $6,800 | Includes island or 2-tone |
| Large (20×20+) | 40–55 | $6,800 – $7,500+ | Multi-color or urethane finish |
Prices include prep, primer, finish coats, and minor repairs.
🧰 What to Ask Before You Hire Any Cabinet Painter
Everyone has questions- Questions are great! That is the theme of how we built this and every other blog. We want to answer your questions until you are comfortable with the process from estimate to sale to 1st day during and after.
We will never be offended by your questions- it’s your house, we are guests and we are being paid to help you, so there will never be an ego, arrogance about what and how we do it. These 5 questions are the most asked, and the ones we hear that get other contractors tripped up or frustrated- why I don’t know, you will have to ask our past customers..
- Do you spray or brush the doors?
- What primer and topcoat do you use?
- How long is your warranty?
- Are doors finished in a shop or on-site?
- Do you handle hardware and hinge upgrades?
- How do you clean them?
- Do you sand between coats?
- What if it peels?
- Will they Chip?
- Can you help with color?
- Who will be in my home?
- How long will the process take?
If a painter hesitates to answer these, that’s your cue to keep looking.
🧩 Common Problems (and How Pros Fix Them)
- Drips & Shiny Spots: Caused by brushing, too much paint, mistakes or poor lighting. A pro knows!
- Peeling: Wrong primer or prep. Always use bonding primers like GARDZ or Stick.
- Yellowing: Low-grade alkyds. Use non-yellowing waterborne urethanes instead.
❓ FAQ: Crystal Lake Homeowner Questions
How long does cabinet painting take?
Usually 3–5 days onsite plus drying and reinstall time.
Can you paint oak cabinets?
Yes—pros fill the grain and use bonding primers for a smooth look.
Do I need to empty my cabinets?
Only partially. Crews mask interiors to keep dust out.
Is there a strong odor?
Professional systems use low-VOC coatings and HEPA filtration.
❤️ Final Thoughts
Whether you hire D’Franco or another great local contractor, the best cabinet painters share the same traits:
✅ clear communication
✅ great prep
✅ quality materials
✅ pride in their craft
If you want to love your kitchen again, painting beats replacing. Did you like how we made the Best Cabinet Painting Contractors in Crystal Lake (2025) article for you?
We are all about the CarMax type experience. We aim to be the CarMax of the Painting Industry in our area. Up front, no hidden costs, articles and videos on how we do things, and answering all your questions. You can get a really good ballpark price on your cabients with our instant pricing!
One of the best compliments we ever had was last week at a customer in Elburn. They scheduled an estimate on our website for us to come to their home for painting. We called to confirm everything before arriving, which they made very easy for us. We talked about the painting project. We wrote down all of the information needed to make an estimate. I took pictures of the areas we were working on. The estiamte ws wriitne up on site, and presented to them. The looked at me smiling0 and all i could think to say was “What?” this is ehat they said..
” We have seen your signs, we have seen your truck and vans. We came across your website and were impressed by the reviews and your response, even to the negative reviews. I cannot believe how many articles you have written and how many questions you answered on your website. Then I saw your YouTube Channel, and I am still blown away at your information transparency and showing all you do and how. When I saw your instant pricing, I thought I would try it, so I had that written down to make sure there was no bait-and-switch thing taking place. Your estimate is within $100 of what was on your website. I am impressed in so many ways. Can I write you a check for the deposit now, or do I have to wait for an invoice?
Schedule your free consultation today and see why homeowners in Crystal Lake, Lakewood, and Algonquin trust us for results that last.
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Updated October 2025 | Written by David Cook