The average kitchen cabinet prices can range widely, from about \$2,000 for basic stock cabinets in a small kitchen to over \$25,000 for high-end, fully custom installations.
Getting new kitchen cabinets is a big step. It changes how your kitchen looks and works. But the price tag can be hard to figure out. Many things play a part in the final bill. This guide will help you see what you might pay for new cabinets. We will look at different types and what else adds to the bill, like putting them in.
Deciphering Kitchen Cabinet Pricing Structures
When you shop for cabinets, you meet different levels of quality and price. These levels mean different things for your budget. Knowing these types helps you find the best price kitchen cabinets for your needs.
Stock Kitchen Cabinet Pricing
Stock cabinets are the most budget-friendly choice. These cabinets are made in standard sizes and styles. They are ready to buy right off the shelf at big box stores or from distributors.
- Pros: Low cost, fast availability.
- Cons: Limited style and size options. You must design your kitchen around the standard sizes.
- Cost Range: Expect to pay between \$100 and \$350 per linear foot. For a whole kitchen, this might be \$3,000 to \$7,000 just for the boxes and doors.
Semi-Custom Cabinet Costs
Semi-custom cabinet costs sit nicely between stock and fully custom options. These cabinets offer more choices than stock. You can often pick different door styles, finishes, and a few more size options.
- Pros: Good balance of style, choice, and price. They look more custom than stock.
- Cons: Still rely on set dimensions, so some small gaps might need filler strips.
- Cost Range: These usually run from \$250 to \$650 per linear foot. A full kitchen project often lands between \$7,000 and \$15,000.
Custom Kitchen Cabinet Quotes
These cabinets are made just for you. They fit your space perfectly, no matter how odd the shape is. You choose everything: the wood, the finish, the hardware, and every drawer insert.
- Pros: Perfect fit, unique look, highest quality materials.
- Cons: Highest price point, longest lead times (can take 8 to 12 weeks or more).
- Cost Range: You must get custom kitchen cabinet quotes, but expect prices to start at \$500 and go up past \$1,200 per linear foot. A full high-end kitchen can easily cost \$15,000 to \$30,000 or much more.
Factors Affecting Kitchen Cabinet Prices
Many elements go into determining your final bill. It’s not just about the type of cabinet you pick. Factors affecting kitchen cabinet prices are complex.
Material Matters Most
The wood or material you choose heavily impacts the price.
| Material Type | Description | Price Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate/Melamine | Plastic coating over particleboard. | Lowest |
| Thermofoil | Vinyl film heated and pressed onto an MDF core. | Low to Medium |
| Plywood Boxes | Stronger box construction than particleboard. | Medium |
| Solid Hardwood | Maple, cherry, or birch are common choices. | High |
| Exotic Woods | Walnut or mahogany cost significantly more. | Very High |
Door Style and Construction
The door is the most visible part of the cabinet. Simple doors cost less than complex ones.
- Slab Doors: Flat, plain doors. These are usually the best price kitchen cabinets offer.
- Shaker Doors: A classic, simple frame and panel. Very popular and mid-priced.
- Raised Panel Doors: These have more detailed molding and take more labor to build. They cost more.
- Glazing and Distressing: Adding special finishes like glazes (to look antique) or distressing (adding fake wear) adds labor costs.
Hardware and Features
Drawer slides and hinges are small but add up fast.
- Soft-Close Mechanisms: These prevent doors and drawers from slamming shut. They add a premium feel and cost.
- Full-Extension Slides: Allowing drawers to open all the way is better than standard slides.
- Interior Organizers: Things like spice racks built into the cabinet, pull-out pantries, or custom dividers increase the price significantly compared to a basic shelf.
The Installation Equation: Cost to Install Kitchen Cabinets
Buying the cabinets is only half the battle. You must also account for putting them up. The cost to install kitchen cabinets varies based on where you live and who does the work.
Kitchen Cabinet Installation Cost Breakdown
Labor rates differ greatly by region. A contractor in a major city will charge more than one in a small town. Generally, installation is priced in one of two ways: per linear foot or as a flat fee based on the total number of boxes.
On average, expect the kitchen cabinet installation cost breakdown to look like this:
- Hanging Cabinets: This is the main labor cost—making sure everything is level and plumb.
- Filler Strips and Light Trim: Small pieces needed to bridge gaps between cabinets and walls.
- Base Cabinet Installation: Often takes longer due to leveling the floor.
- Upper Cabinet Installation: Requires careful securing to wall studs for safety.
Typical Installation Costs:
- Stock Cabinets: Installation might run between \$100 and \$250 per cabinet box.
- Semi-Custom/Custom: Because these often require more precise adjustments, expect labor rates closer to \$150 to \$400 per box.
If you are replacing existing cabinets, the demo and removal fees will add to the total.
Budgeting for a Full Kitchen Cabinet Project
To help you budget, here is a general look at what a full kitchen might cost, based on size and cabinet tier. This includes the cost of the cabinets themselves but not the countertop or appliance installation.
Table 1: Estimated Total Cabinet Costs Based on Kitchen Size and Type
| Kitchen Size | Stock Cabinets (Material Only) | Semi-Custom Cabinets (Material Only) | Custom Cabinets (Material Only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (10×10 ft) | \$3,000 – \$5,000 | \$6,000 – \$9,000 | \$9,000 – \$15,000+ |
| Medium (12×12 ft) | \$5,000 – \$8,000 | \$9,000 – \$13,000 | \$13,000 – \$20,000+ |
| Large/Galley | \$8,000 – \$12,000 | \$13,000 – \$18,000 | \$20,000 – \$30,000+ |
Note: These figures are for cabinetry only and exclude installation, countertops, backsplash, and appliances.
Alternative Path: Refacing Kitchen Cabinets Cost
If your cabinet boxes are still strong, but you hate the look, you don’t have to replace everything. Refacing kitchen cabinets cost is a much cheaper route than a full teardown.
Refacing involves keeping the existing cabinet frames (the box structure). Workers then attach new doors, drawer fronts, and a new veneer (thin layer of wood or laminate) over the existing cabinet faces.
What Refacing Includes
- New Doors and Drawer Fronts: These are the main visual upgrade.
- New Veneer: Covering the visible sides of the boxes for a fresh look.
- New Hardware: Often included in the package.
Refacing typically costs about 40% to 60% of the price of new semi-custom cabinets. If you are looking for savings, this is a smart middle ground.
- Estimated Refacing Cost: For a medium kitchen, expect refacing to cost between \$4,000 and \$10,000, depending on the door material chosen. This is significantly less than the average kitchen cabinet prices for a full replacement.
Grasping the Installation Labor Details
We touched on installation costs, but let’s look closer at what makes the labor price go up or down. A good installer is worth the money, as poorly hung cabinets can lead to future problems with doors sticking or drawers not closing right.
Complexity of the Layout
Kitchens with many angles, corners, or odd-sized spaces take more time to install than simple straight runs of cabinets.
- Appliance Cutouts: Cabinets that need precise cuts for built-in microwaves or wine fridges add complexity.
- Over-the-Range Hood Cabinets: These often require extra bracing and careful alignment with venting.
Wall and Floor Conditions
Installers must work with what they find.
- Out-of-Plumb Walls: If the walls are not perfectly straight, the installer must spend extra time shimming and adjusting cabinets to make them look straight. This adds labor hours.
- Uneven Floors: Base cabinets must sit perfectly level. If the floor slopes, the installer must use many shims under the cabinet bases, which is time-consuming.
Getting the Best Value for Your Money
Finding the best price kitchen cabinets does not always mean picking the cheapest option. It means finding the best balance of quality, longevity, and cost for your specific situation.
Tips for Saving Money on Cabinets
- Stick to Stock Sizes: If your kitchen layout can accommodate standard sizes, you save money instantly by choosing stock cabinets over forcing a custom fit.
- Choose Simple Door Styles: Slab or simple Shaker doors are less expensive to manufacture than heavily detailed raised-panel doors.
- Downgrade the Box Material (Carefully): If you are using high-quality doors, you might save money by using plywood boxes instead of hardwood veneer boxes. However, never choose particleboard for areas prone to moisture (like under the sink).
- DIY Installation (Use Caution): If you are very handy, installing stock cabinets yourself can save you thousands in labor. However, improper installation voids many warranties.
When to Splurge
If you plan to stay in your home for a long time, investing in custom kitchen cabinet quotes for high-quality materials is often smart. Better materials last longer and hold up better to daily use. Focus your budget on the most used areas: the main sink base and the primary drawer stacks.
The Journey to Finalizing Custom Kitchen Cabinet Quotes
When you are ready for the high-end route, getting custom kitchen cabinet quotes requires more detail upfront. The initial quote you receive is rarely the final price.
What to Provide Your Cabinet Maker
To get an accurate quote, you must give the cabinet maker detailed plans.
- Full Floor Plan: Dimensions of the room, including window and door locations.
- Elevation Drawings: Showing where wall cabinets will sit relative to the floor and ceiling.
- Specific Material Choices: Knowing if you want maple plywood boxes versus standard furniture board is crucial.
- Hardware Selections: If you select specific premium drawer slides, the quote must reflect that.
If you change your mind after the quote is made—for example, deciding to add two more drawers—the price will go up. Clear communication during the quoting process saves money later.
Fathoming the Relationship Between Cabinets and Countertops
While this post focuses on cabinets, it is vital to know that countertops depend on the cabinets below them. The cabinet installation must be finished before final countertop templating can occur.
If you choose very high-end custom cabinets, you may be tempted to pair them with basic laminate countertops. Conversely, if you use budget stock cabinets, you might want to splurge on granite or quartz countertops. Balance is key for resale value and overall kitchen aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does the price of kitchen cabinets include hardware like handles and knobs?
A: Usually, no. Stock cabinet pricing often includes basic knobs or pulls, but if you want specific designer hardware, that cost is added separately. Semi-custom and custom pricing often list the door/drawer cost without hardware, letting you choose accessories later. Always confirm what is included in the kitchen cabinet pricing.
Q: How long does the installation process usually take?
A: For an average-sized kitchen (10×10 layout) using semi-custom cabinets, the actual cost to install kitchen cabinets covers about 2 to 4 full days of work for a professional crew. Custom installations can take slightly longer due to precise fitting required.
Q: Is refacing cabinets durable?
A: Yes, modern refacing techniques are very durable, especially if high-quality veneer and paint/stain are used. It is generally very durable, though it won’t give you the brand-new box structure that a full replacement offers.
Q: What is the difference between plywood and furniture board boxes?
A: Furniture board (often particleboard or MDF) is cheaper and used in most stock cabinets. Plywood is made of thin layers of wood glued together, making it stronger, lighter, and more resistant to moisture. Plywood boxes raise the average kitchen cabinet prices but are preferred for quality.
Q: Can I find cheap, good-quality cabinets online?
A: Yes, many online retailers offer excellent stock kitchen cabinet pricing shipped directly to you. You must be prepared to handle the installation labor separately if you buy online, which affects the total project cost. Always check reviews regarding shipping damage.