What happens if cabinet paint peels after a year — does the warranty cover a redo or do I pay again in Vancouver?

Cabinet paint peeling after one year typically indicates a preparation or application failure, and most reputable Metro Vancouver painting contractors will warranty their cabinet work for 2-3 years — but warranty coverage depends entirely on what's written in your original contract.

The reality is that properly prepared and painted cabinets should not peel within a year under normal use. Cabinet refinishing involves degreasing, sanding, priming, and applying 2-3 coats of high-quality acrylic-alkyd paint (like Benjamin Moore Advance or Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane) in a controlled spray environment. When done correctly, this creates a durable, furniture-like finish that should last 8-12 years in a typical Metro Vancouver kitchen.

Common causes of early cabinet paint failure include inadequate degreasing (kitchen grease prevents paint adhesion), insufficient sanding of the existing finish, skipping primer on glossy surfaces, applying paint in high humidity without proper drying time, or using inferior paint products. Metro Vancouver's humidity can extend cabinet paint curing times significantly — what should cure in 24 hours may take 3-4 days in winter without proper ventilation and dehumidification.

What your warranty should cover: Reputable cabinet painters typically offer 2-3 year warranties covering peeling, chipping, or adhesion failure under normal use. This should include complete re-preparation and repainting of affected areas at no charge. However, warranties usually exclude damage from excessive moisture (like steam from dishwashers without proper ventilation), physical damage, or harsh chemical cleaners.

What to do if paint is peeling: Document the failure with photos, contact your contractor immediately, and review your written contract for warranty terms. A professional contractor should inspect the failure, determine the cause, and honor their warranty if it's due to workmanship or materials. If the contractor is unresponsive or disputes the warranty, you may need to hire another professional to assess whether the failure was due to improper preparation or application.

Red flags about your original job: If you paid significantly below market rate ($2,000-3,000 for an average kitchen versus the typical $4,000-8,000), if the contractor didn't remove doors for spray finishing, if they painted on-site without proper dust control, or if they used regular wall paint instead of cabinet-specific products, the failure was likely predictable.

Prevention for future work: Always get warranty terms in writing, verify the contractor will use proper cabinet paint (not wall paint), confirm doors will be removed and spray-finished in a controlled environment, and ensure they carry WorkSafeBC coverage and liability insurance. Quality cabinet refinishing is a specialized skill — the lowest bidder often cuts corners on preparation or materials that lead to early failure.

Need help finding a qualified cabinet refinishing contractor with proper warranties? Vancouver Paint Contractors can match you with experienced professionals who stand behind their work.