The typical average kitchen cabinet replacement cost for a standard-sized kitchen ranges from \$4,000 to \$12,000, but this price can swing widely based on the cabinet quality, style, and whether you choose stock cabinet prices or go for custom cabinetry price options.
Renovating a kitchen often feels overwhelming, especially when thinking about the budget. Cabinets are usually the biggest single expense. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about kitchen cabinet pricing. We will help you make smart choices for your budget, whether you want low cost kitchen cabinets or high-end finishes. We will also cover cabinet installation costs separately.
Deciphering the Three Main Cabinet Categories
Cabinet costs depend heavily on where you buy them and how they are built. Think of it like buying a car: you have basic models, mid-range options, and fully bespoke versions.
Stock Cabinet Prices: The Budget-Friendly Choice
Stock cabinets are pre-made in standard sizes. Think of them as “off the shelf.”
- Pros: They are the most affordable option. Lead times are fast, often just a few days or weeks.
- Cons: You have fewer choices for finishes, sizes, and layouts. They might not fit every nook and cranny perfectly.
- Typical Cost Range: \$75 to \$300 per linear foot for the box and door.
These cabinets are great for rental properties or quick flips where keeping kitchen cabinet pricing low is key.
Semi-Custom Cabinet Cost: The Middle Ground
Semi-custom cabinets offer more flexibility than stock units. Manufacturers build them after you order them, allowing for slightly different depths, widths, and more style choices.
- Pros: Better quality materials and finishes. More design freedom than stock.
- Cons: They cost more than stock and take longer to arrive (usually 4 to 8 weeks).
- Typical Cost Range: \$150 to \$650 per linear foot.
This option suits most homeowners looking for a balance between price and personalization. This is where many homeowners find their sweet spot for a good full kitchen cabinet remodel cost.
Custom Cabinetry Price: Ultimate Personalization
Custom cabinetry price reflects making cabinets from scratch just for your space. Every dimension, door style, and material choice is yours.
- Pros: Perfect fit for odd spaces. Highest quality materials and construction. Endless design possibilities.
- Cons: They are the most expensive and take the longest to build (often 8 to 12 weeks or more).
- Typical Cost Range: \$500 to over \$1,200 per linear foot.
If you have a unique kitchen layout or demand very specific features, custom might be your only real choice.
Cabinet Material Costs: What They Are Made Of Matters
The material used for the cabinet box and the door fronts significantly impacts the final price.
Cabinet Box Construction
The cabinet “box” is the frame that holds the shelves and drawers.
| Material Type | Description | Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture Board/Particle Board | Least expensive core material. Often covered with a laminate finish. | Low |
| Plywood | Stronger and more moisture-resistant than particle board. A better long-term investment. | Medium |
| Solid Wood | Used primarily in high-end custom work for superior durability. | High |
Door and Drawer Fronts
The door style is what most people see, so it drives much of the perceived value and cost.
Laminate and Thermofoil
These are synthetic wraps placed over a substrate (like MDF). Thermofoil uses heat to mold vinyl onto the surface.
- Cost: Generally low to moderate.
- Durability: Good for basic use, but can peel or chip over time, especially near heat sources like ovens.
Wood Veneer
A thin layer of real wood glued over a core material. It looks like solid wood but costs less.
- Cost: Moderate.
- Durability: Better than laminate, offers a classic look.
Solid Wood
Maple, cherry, oak, and hickory are common choices. Solid wood offers the best durability and allows for refinishing down the line.
- Cost: High. Prices vary greatly by wood species (cherry is usually pricier than oak).
- Durability: Excellent, if well-maintained.
Painted Finishes vs. Stained Finishes
Painted cabinets (especially pure white or dark colors) often cost slightly more than stained cabinets. This is because the painting process requires more steps, sanding, and curing time to ensure a smooth, durable finish.
Hidden Costs: Hardware, Features, and Labor
The sticker price for the cabinet boxes is only part of the story. You must factor in the extras that make a kitchen functional and beautiful.
Hardware Selection
Knobs, pulls, hinges, and drawer slides add up quickly.
- Basic: Simple metal knobs and standard concealed hinges are inexpensive.
- Mid-Range: Soft-close hinges and standard drawer slides save wear and tear.
- Premium: Full-extension, heavy-duty drawer slides, and specialized hardware (like internal spice racks or pull-out trash bins) significantly increase the kitchen cabinet pricing. Decorative pulls made of bronze or unique ceramics can cost \$10 to \$50 each.
Internal Cabinet Features
Today’s kitchens demand smart storage. These options add convenience but also cost.
- Roll-out Trays/Shelves: Transform deep lower cabinets into accessible spaces.
- Drawer Organizers: Custom inserts for silverware, spices, or trash separation.
- Lazy Susans: Essential for corner cabinets.
- Lighting: Integrated LED strip lighting inside glass-front cabinets adds ambiance and utility.
Cabinet Installation Costs
The cabinet installation costs are a major variable. This labor is specialized and requires precision.
- DIY vs. Professional: Unless you are an experienced carpenter, hiring a pro is highly recommended, especially for custom or complex layouts. Poor installation leads to crooked doors and drawer gaps.
- Factors Affecting Labor:
- Complexity: Kitchens with many angles, vaulted ceilings, or non-standard wall placements take longer.
- Type of Cabinet: Stock cabinets are faster to install than custom units that need fine-tuning on site.
- Location: Labor rates vary widely by geographic region.
- Average Installation Cost: Expect to pay between \$100 and \$350 per cabinet box for professional installation. For a kitchen with 20 cabinets, this labor component could easily range from \$2,000 to \$7,000 or more, separate from the cabinet materials themselves.
Putting It Together: The Full Kitchen Cabinet Remodel Cost
To determine your full kitchen cabinet remodel cost, you need to estimate the total linear footage of cabinets required for your space.
Simple Estimation Formula:
Total Cabinet Cost = (Linear Feet Needed) $\times$ (Cost Per Linear Foot) + (Hardware/Feature Upgrades) + (Installation Costs)
Example Cost Breakdown (Mid-Sized Kitchen – 10ft x 10ft)
A 10×10 kitchen typically requires about 25 to 35 linear feet of cabinetry, depending on layout.
| Cabinet Type | Cost Per Linear Foot (Materials Only) | Estimated Total Material Cost (30 ft) | Estimated Installation Cost | Total Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock (Low Cost Kitchen Cabinets) | \$150 – \$250 | \$4,500 – \$7,500 | \$2,500 – \$4,000 | \$7,000 – \$11,500 |
| Semi-Custom | \$300 – \$500 | \$9,000 – \$15,000 | \$3,500 – \$5,500 | \$12,500 – \$20,500 |
| Custom | \$600 – \$1,000+ | \$18,000 – \$30,000+ | \$4,500 – \$7,000+ | \$22,500 – \$37,000+ |
Note: These ranges do not include countertops, appliances, flooring, or demolition.
Exploring Alternatives: Saving Money on Cabinets
If the initial quotes for new cabinets shock your budget, there are effective ways to slash costs without sacrificing the look entirely.
Refacing Kitchen Cabinets Cost: The Mid-Way Option
Refacing kitchen cabinets cost involves keeping your existing cabinet boxes intact. You replace only the doors, drawer fronts, and sometimes the visible side panels (end panels).
- When it works best: When your current cabinet boxes are in good structural shape, typically made of solid wood or good quality plywood, and you like the current layout.
- The Process: A professional removes all old doors and drawers. They install new doors and drawer fronts over the existing boxes, often adding a new veneer or laminate to the exposed side panels for a cohesive look.
- Cost Savings: Refacing generally costs 40% to 60% less than a full replacement.
- Typical Cost Range: \$4,000 to \$8,000 for a standard kitchen. This is significantly lower than the average kitchen cabinet replacement cost.
Painting Existing Cabinets (The Lowest Cost Option)
If the existing boxes are sound and the style is fine, painting them can offer a massive visual refresh for minimal cabinet material costs.
- DIY Painting: Requires significant prep work (sanding, priming, multiple topcoats) and specialized paint designed for cabinets. If done poorly, it flakes off quickly.
- Professional Painting: Professionals use sprayers for a factory-like finish. This usually costs between \$2,500 and \$6,000 for labor and materials, depending on the number of doors and the color complexity.
Fathoming the Price Drivers: Why Costs Vary So Much
Several key factors influence where your final quote lands on the spectrum of kitchen cabinet pricing.
Door Style Complexity
The door style dramatically impacts labor and material needs.
- Slab Doors (Flat Panel): The simplest and cheapest. Just a flat piece of material.
- Shaker Doors: A classic five-piece door with clean lines. Moderately priced due to the multiple pieces needing precise assembly.
- Raised Panel/Detailed Doors: Doors with intricate routing, beading, or multiple layers. These require more time and skilled labor, pushing up the custom cabinetry price.
Finish Quality and Application
A smooth, durable finish requires several coats and careful application.
- Stain vs. Paint: Stains penetrate the wood and are often quicker (cheaper). Paints hide the wood grain and require more meticulous surface preparation and multiple sealing coats, increasing labor costs.
- Glazes and Antiquing: Adding decorative glazes or distressing marks (like dents or scrapes) to mimic age adds substantial labor time.
Cabinet Box Construction (Face Frame vs. Frameless)
This is a technical point but has a cost implication:
- Face Frame Cabinets: Have a strip of wood covering the front edge of the cabinet box. This adds material and labor but makes installation slightly easier and adds structural integrity. Common in North America, often used in stock and semi-custom lines.
- Frameless (Euro-Style) Cabinets: Have no visible wood strip at the front. The doors attach directly to the sides of the box. This provides a sleeker, modern look and allows for slightly more interior storage space. Frameless cabinets often require higher precision during manufacturing, which can sometimes increase the semi-custom cabinet cost.
Budgeting Tips for Your Cabinet Purchase
To keep your full kitchen cabinet remodel cost in check, follow these budgeting steps.
1. Prioritize Where to Spend
Decide which cabinets you see most often and which you can afford to compromise on.
- Spend More On: Primary work zones (the stove, sink base, and main prep area). Invest in high-quality drawers (full extension, soft-close) here. This is where durability truly matters.
- Save Money On: Areas less frequently used, such as the pantry or cabinets above the refrigerator. You might use stock cabinet prices for these peripheral units and splurge on semi-custom for the main run.
2. Maximize Stock Cabinets
If you are using stock cabinets, plan your layout around their standard sizes (e.g., 30″, 33″, 36″). Every time a cabinet must be cut down or filled with filler strips, you lose efficiency and potentially increase cabinet installation costs. Working with standard dimensions is the fastest route to low cost kitchen cabinets.
3. Compare Quotes Thoroughly
Get at least three detailed quotes. Make sure every quote covers the exact same elements:
- Are the doors solid wood or veneer?
- What type of drawer glides are included (side mount vs. undermount)?
- Does the price include taxes, delivery, and installation?
Do not just compare the bottom line; compare the specifications listed to ensure you are comparing apples to apples when evaluating kitchen cabinet pricing.
4. Consider Timelines
If you order custom cabinets during peak renovation season (spring/summer), delays are common, and rush fees may apply. Ordering during the off-season can sometimes secure better pricing or faster delivery, saving you money and stress.
FAQ: Common Questions About Cabinet Costs
Q: Does refacing save money compared to buying new cabinets?
A: Yes, refacing kitchen cabinets cost is usually significantly lower than buying new cabinets, often saving 40% to 60%. This is because you avoid the cost of entirely new boxes and specialized demolition labor.
Q: Are cheap cabinets (low cost kitchen cabinets) worth it?
A: For short-term rentals or quick flips, low cost kitchen cabinets (stock particle board units) can work. For a primary residence where you plan to stay 5+ years, they may lead to premature failure (sagging shelves, failing finishes), making the initial savings disappear when you have to replace them early.
Q: How much should I budget separately for cabinet installation costs?
A: A good rule of thumb is to budget 15% to 30% of the total material cost for professional installation, though this heavily depends on your local labor market and the complexity of your layout.
Q: What is the difference between semi-custom and custom cabinetry in price?
A: Semi-custom cabinets are built from existing templates with minor size adjustments, making them faster and cheaper. Custom cabinetry price reflects making every single piece from scratch to your exact specifications, which incurs higher design and manufacturing labor costs, usually resulting in a price tag that is 50% to 100% higher than high-end semi-custom options.
Q: How much do high-end cabinet materials add to the cost?
A: Selecting premium hardwoods (like walnut or mahogany) over standard oak, choosing specialty finishes (like hand-applied glazes), and opting for superior hardware can easily double the material cost of your cabinets compared to basic stock cabinet prices.