The average price of kitchen cabinets for an entire kitchen remodel typically ranges from $4,800 to $20,000, but this figure can shift dramatically based on the cabinet style, material quality, and installation needs. Knowing what goes into these kitchen cabinet costs is key to setting your remodel kitchen cabinet budget.
Deciphering Cabinet Cost Categories
When budgeting for new cabinets, it is crucial to know that not all cabinets are priced the same. There are three main tiers that determine how much you will spend. Each tier offers different levels of customization, material quality, and, of course, price points.
Stock Kitchen Cabinet Prices: The Budget-Friendly Choice
Stock cabinets are pre-built in standard sizes, styles, and finishes. Think of them like buying off-the-rack clothing. They are ready to ship right away.
Pros:
* Lowest upfront cost.
* Fastest delivery time.
* Easy to find replacements later.
Cons:
* Limited style and size options.
* Less flexibility in placement during installation.
For a standard kitchen, you might expect stock kitchen cabinet prices to fall between $100 and $400 per linear foot. This is often the best route for the lowest affordable kitchen cabinets cost.
Semi-Custom Cabinet Costs: Finding a Middle Ground
Semi-custom cabinets offer more choices than stock options. Manufacturers offer different depths, widths, and heights. You can often select from a wider range of door styles and wood types.
These offer a better fit for tricky spaces. They take longer to receive, usually 4 to 8 weeks.
Semi-custom cabinet costs usually sit between $200 and $650 per linear foot. This category allows for better personalization without jumping into the high price range of custom work.
Custom Kitchen Cabinet Pricing: Tailored Perfection
Custom kitchen cabinet pricing is the highest tier. These cabinets are built from scratch just for your space. Every measurement is precise. You control everything, from the wood grain to the drawer hardware.
Pros:
* Perfect fit for any space, no matter how unique.
* Unlimited choices in materials, colors, and features.
* Highest resale value for your home.
Cons:
* Highest price tag.
* Longest lead times, often 8 to 12 weeks or more.
The cost for custom work generally starts around $500 per linear foot and can easily exceed $1,200 per linear foot, depending on the exotic wood or specialized finish chosen.
Major Factors Affecting Kitchen Cabinet Prices
Several key elements combine to determine your final bill. When you receive kitchen cabinet quotes, these are the variables the contractor is balancing.
Material Quality and Type
The wood (or lack thereof) is a huge cost driver.
- Laminate/Melamine: These are budget-friendly surfaces. They resist scratches well but don’t look as high-end as real wood.
- Plywood vs. Furniture Board: Cabinet boxes made of solid plywood cost more than those made from composite materials (like particleboard or furniture board). Plywood is stronger and resists moisture better.
- Hardwoods: Cherry, maple, and oak are standard, mid-range options.
- Exotic Woods: Walnut or mahogany cost much more due to scarcity and difficulty in milling.
Door Style and Construction
The front face of the cabinet—the door—has a big impact on price.
- Flat Panel (Slab): These are the simplest and cheapest. They use one flat piece of material.
- Shaker Style: Very popular. They have a recessed center panel. They are mid-priced.
- Raised Panel: These have a center panel that rises up, creating detail. They require more labor and cost more.
- Custom Detailing: Glazing, distressing, or intricate molding adds significant labor costs to the final price.
Hardware and Functionality
The internal workings matter as much as the outside look.
| Feature | Impact on Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Hinges | Low | Standard self-closing hinges. |
| Soft-Close Doors | Medium | Prevents slamming; standard in semi-custom. |
| Dovetail Drawer Boxes | High | Stronger construction; often standard in custom work. |
| Pull-Out Shelves/Trays | High | Increases convenience but requires specialized hardware. |
| Recycling Centers | High | Built-in bins for waste management. |
If you opt for many specialty inserts, like spice racks hidden in drawers or pull-out pantries, your overall kitchen cabinet costs will rise sharply.
Finish Type
The finish seals and colors the wood.
- Laminate/Thermofoil: Least expensive. Applied by heat and pressure.
- Stain: Moderately priced. Shows the natural wood grain.
- Paint: Often costs more than stain because it requires more prep work to look flawless.
- Conversion Varnish: A very durable, high-end finish. It costs more initially but offers better protection.
The Impact of Installation on Total Expense
The price of the cabinets themselves is only part of the final bill. You must also factor in installed kitchen cabinet prices. Installation fees vary widely based on your location and the complexity of the job.
Self-Installation vs. Professional Installation
- DIY Installation: If you are very handy, you can save 10% to 20% of the total project cost by installing the cabinets yourself. However, this requires patience, precise leveling tools, and knowledge of shimming and securing cabinets to wall studs. Mistakes can lead to crooked doors and weak supports.
- Professional Installation: Most homeowners hire professionals. Installers charge hourly or by the job. For a standard kitchen, professional installation often adds between $1,000 and $3,500 to the kitchen cabinet costs.
Complex installations, such as custom trim work, dealing with oddly angled walls, or integrating unique features, will push the installation fee higher. Always get separate quotes for the materials and the labor for installation.
Estimating Your Kitchen Cabinet Budget: Examples
To give you a clearer picture, here are rough estimates for a medium-sized kitchen requiring about 30 linear feet of cabinetry. Remember, these are estimates before installation costs are added.
| Cabinet Type | Cost Per Linear Foot (Material Only) | Total Estimated Material Cost (30 ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | $150 – $350 | $4,500 – $10,500 | Requires careful planning around fixed sizes. |
| Semi-Custom | $300 – $550 | $9,000 – $16,500 | Good balance of cost and personalization. |
| Custom | $550 – $1,000+ | $16,500 – $30,000+ | Fully tailored to your exact specifications. |
These numbers highlight why getting detailed kitchen cabinet quotes from several suppliers is essential when planning your remodel kitchen cabinet budget.
How to Get Accurate Kitchen Cabinet Quotes
Getting good kitchen cabinet quotes requires preparation. You cannot simply ask for a price without providing details. Suppliers need specifics to give you an accurate number.
Step 1: Measure and Sketch Your Space
Draw a simple diagram of your kitchen. Note the size of the walls where cabinets will go. Measure twice! If you are replacing old cabinets, measure the existing ones to get a starting point for the linear footage needed.
Step 2: Decide on Cabinet Grade
Decide early if you are aiming for stock, semi-custom, or custom. This narrows down who you should be talking to. If you are chasing the lowest affordable kitchen cabinets cost, stick strictly to stock lines.
Step 3: Select Materials and Features (If Possible)
Even if you are flexible, having a preference for wood type (e.g., maple over oak) and finish (painted vs. stained) will help the supplier price the materials accurately. Do you need pull-outs or lazy Susans? Note these down.
Step 4: Gather Quotes
Take your sketch and preferences to at least three different sources:
1. A big-box home improvement store (often focused on stock/semi-custom).
2. A local cabinet dealer or specialized kitchen showroom (often carries semi-custom and custom lines).
3. A dedicated custom cabinet maker.
Compare the line-item costs, not just the total. Do they include hardware? Are the boxes plywood or composite? This helps you see where the price differences lie.
Fathoming the Price Difference Between New and Refacing
Sometimes homeowners consider keeping their existing cabinet boxes but replacing the doors and drawer fronts. This is called refacing.
Refacing can save money compared to buying all new cabinets. However, it does not save as much as people think, especially if the old boxes are in poor shape.
- Refacing: You pay for new doors, drawer fronts, hardware, and a veneer/paint job on the old boxes. This usually costs 50% to 70% of a full replacement.
- New Cabinets: You get brand-new, stronger boxes, often with better internal features.
If your current boxes are damaged, warped, or made of cheap material, refacing is a false economy. New cabinets ensure longevity.
Budgeting Tips for the Savvy Remodeler
If the initial kitchen cabinet costs seem too high for your current budget, here are ways to trim expenses without sacrificing too much quality.
Prioritize Where You Spend Money
Spend the most money where it counts most. This is usually on the most used cabinets: the base cabinets and the primary prep area.
- Invest in: Base cabinets that see heavy use. Pay for strong drawer boxes.
- Save on: Upper cabinets in less visible areas (like a small pantry side wall) or cabinets going into the laundry room adjacent to the kitchen. Use slightly less expensive door styles here.
Choose Standard Colors
Custom paint colors cost more due to the extra time needed for mixing and matching batches. Sticking to a white, gray, or natural wood stain that the manufacturer keeps in stock saves money and speeds up delivery.
Look for Sales and Overstock
Cabinet companies frequently run seasonal sales, especially around major holidays. Also, ask dealers if they have any “display models” or “overstock” they are selling at a discount. These are often high-quality units available immediately.
Rethink the Layout
Very complex layouts—like L-shapes, U-shapes, or kitchens with many tight corners—require more specialized and therefore more expensive cabinets (like corner fillers or angled units). Simple galley or straight-line kitchens use more standard sizes, keeping the overall kitchen cabinet costs lower.
Long-Term Value: Why Paying More Can Save Money
While aiming for affordable kitchen cabinets cost is natural, sometimes spending more upfront leads to savings later.
High-quality materials—like solid plywood construction and durable finishes—last longer. Cheap cabinets often use thin particleboard that swells or warps when exposed to small amounts of steam or spills. Replacing swollen cabinets in 7 years costs far more than buying quality cabinets that last 15 to 20 years. Look closely at the construction when reviewing kitchen cabinet quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabinet Pricing
Q: What is the general breakdown of a kitchen remodel budget regarding cabinets?
A: Cabinets typically account for 25% to 40% of the total kitchen remodel cost. If your budget is $30,000, plan to spend between $7,500 and $12,000 just on the cabinets themselves (materials only).
Q: Does the price of the countertop affect the cabinet quote?
A: Not directly. Cabinet suppliers usually quote cabinets only. However, your choice of countertop material—like heavy granite or quartz—affects the structural needs of the base cabinets. Very heavy stone may require extra support bracing inside the cabinets, which can slightly increase the overall cabinet construction cost.
Q: Can I find good quality cabinets for under $5,000 for a small kitchen?
A: Yes, if your kitchen is small (maybe 10-15 linear feet), you can likely achieve this by strictly using high-end stock cabinets or basic semi-custom lines, focusing on simple door styles and basic hardware. This keeps you firmly in the affordable kitchen cabinets cost range.
Q: What does “full overlay” mean in cabinet pricing?
A: Full overlay means the cabinet doors and drawers cover almost all of the cabinet frame face when closed. This gives a sleek, modern look. Doors that show more of the frame (partial overlay) are usually cheaper because less material is used for the doors themselves.
Q: How much should I budget for installation if I go custom?
A: For custom cabinets, installation is often more intricate. Expect professional installation to cost between $2,500 and $5,000 for a full kitchen, as the installers must account for fine-tuning every piece to ensure perfect alignment.