The average cost for new kitchen cabinets generally falls between \$4,000 and \$13,000 for a typical kitchen remodel, though this figure can swing much higher or lower based on material, style, and installation needs. Determining the final price involves looking at several factors, including the type of cabinet you choose, the amount of labor required for kitchen cabinet installation cost, and whether you opt for stock, semi-custom cabinet cost, or fully custom kitchen cabinet pricing.
Breaking Down the Cost of New Kitchen Cabinets
When budgeting for a kitchen renovation, cabinets often take the biggest bite out of your wallet. They are the backbone of the kitchen’s look and function. To accurately estimate new kitchen cabinet prices, you must first know what kind of cabinets fit your budget and style needs.
Cabinet Type: The Primary Cost Driver
Cabinets come in three main categories, each offering different price points and levels of personalization.
Ready-to-Assemble Kitchen Cabinets Price (RTA)
Ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets price is the lowest option available. These cabinets arrive in flat boxes. You put them together yourself.
- Pros: Very cheap; good for DIY lovers or small budgets.
- Cons: Assembly takes time and skill. Quality can vary widely.
- Cost Expectation: These can cost as little as \$50 to \$150 per cabinet box before hardware.
Stock Cabinets
Stock cabinets are pre-made in standard sizes. They are built in large batches. This mass production keeps the price down.
- Pros: Readily available; fast delivery. Fairly low price point.
- Cons: Limited choices in sizes, finishes, and styles. You might have gaps if your kitchen isn’t standard size.
- Cost Expectation: Typically range from \$100 to \$300 per cabinet.
Semi-Custom Cabinet Cost
These strike a balance between price and personalization. Manufacturers offer more choices in door styles, finishes, and deeper base cabinets than stock options.
- Pros: More design flexibility than stock; better quality materials often used.
- Cons: Takes longer to receive than stock units. Costs significantly more than RTA or basic stock.
- Cost Expectation: Expect prices between \$150 and \$650 per cabinet. This category often forms the core of the average cost for new kitchen cabinets.
Custom Kitchen Cabinet Pricing
These cabinets are built just for your space. A local craftsman designs and builds every piece to your exact specifications.
- Pros: Perfect fit; limitless design options; highest quality materials.
- Cons: Most expensive option; longest lead times.
- Cost Expectation: Prices start around \$500 per cabinet and can easily exceed \$1,200 or more, depending on exotic wood or complex features.
Material Matters: Wood and Construction
The material used heavily impacts the final price. Cabinet boxes are usually made from plywood or particleboard (MDF/HDF). Doors and drawers use solid wood or veneers.
| Material | Typical Use | Price Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood | High-quality cabinet boxes | Higher cost, more durable |
| MDF/Particleboard | Budget cabinet boxes, painted doors | Lower cost, prone to moisture damage |
| Solid Hardwood (Maple, Cherry) | Doors, drawer fronts, cabinet boxes | Highest cost, premium look |
| Thermofoil/Laminate | Low-cost door finish | Budget friendly, easy to clean |
High-end hardware, like soft-close hinges or dovetail drawer construction, also increases new kitchen cabinet prices.
Labor: The Kitchen Cabinet Installation Cost Factor
Buying the cabinets is only half the battle. Getting them into your kitchen correctly is crucial. The kitchen cabinet installation cost varies widely based on location, installer skill, and cabinet type.
Installation Complexity
- RTA Cabinets: If you assemble and install them yourself, the labor cost is zero (only your time!). If you hire someone to assemble and install, the price goes up because the labor is more intensive.
- Stock Cabinets: Installation is relatively straightforward as sizes are fixed. Installation costs are usually lower.
- Semi-Custom and Custom Cabinets: These require precise leveling, shimming, and sometimes modifying the cabinet boxes to fit oddly shaped walls. This precision increases the labor rate.
Factors Affecting Labor Bids
- Location: Labor rates are higher in major metropolitan areas compared to rural areas.
- Old Kitchen Prep: If you are replacing old units, the cost to remodel kitchen cabinets includes demolition and disposal of the old ones. This adds to the overall expense.
- Complexity of the Layout: Custom trim work, crown molding, and fitting cabinets around windows or strange angles drive up the installer’s time and, therefore, the cost.
Typically, expect kitchen cabinet installation cost to run between 15% and 30% of the total cost of the cabinets themselves, sometimes more for very complex custom jobs.
Budgeting Scenarios: What Can You Expect to Pay?
To make these numbers clearer, let’s look at three common scenarios for a standard 10×10 L-shaped kitchen (about 12-15 cabinets total).
Scenario 1: The Budget Refresh (RTA/Stock)
This budget focuses on getting new storage quickly and cheaply. You might buy ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets price units online and install them yourself or use basic stock models.
- Cabinet Cost (RTA/Basic Stock): \$2,500 – \$4,500
- Installation Cost (DIY or Basic): \$500 – \$1,500
- Total Estimate: \$3,000 – \$6,000
If you are searching for where to buy affordable kitchen cabinets, this is your target range.
Scenario 2: Mid-Range Remodel (Semi-Custom)
This scenario involves good quality, semi-custom cabinets, perhaps with better finishes and more storage features (like pull-out shelves). Professional installation is included.
- Cabinet Cost (Semi-Custom): \$6,000 – \$10,000
- Installation Cost (Professional): \$2,000 – \$3,500
- Total Estimate: \$8,000 – \$13,500
This range aligns closely with the current average cost for new kitchen cabinets across the U.S.
Scenario 3: High-End Custom Kitchen
This involves top-tier wood, specialized finishes, and detailed custom kitchen cabinet pricing. Installation is handled by experienced finish carpenters.
- Cabinet Cost (Custom): \$12,000 – \$25,000+
- Installation Cost (Expert): \$4,000 – \$7,000+
- Total Estimate: \$16,000 – \$32,000+
Kitchen Cabinet Replacement Cost vs. Full Replacement
There is a big difference between simply replacing the boxes (kitchen cabinet replacement cost) and doing a full remodel.
Cabinet Box Replacement Only
If your existing cabinet frames are structurally sound, but the doors and drawer fronts look dated, you can save significant money by just replacing the fronts. This is sometimes called “refacing” or “restyling.”
- Process: Install new doors and drawer fronts onto the existing boxes. New hardware is added.
- Savings: This can save you 40% to 60% compared to buying entirely new units.
Full Cabinet Replacement
This involves tearing out everything—boxes, hardware, and often countertops if they are resting on the cabinets—and installing all new units. This is necessary if the existing boxes are water-damaged, moldy, or not sturdy enough for modern use. The total cost to remodel kitchen cabinets includes this full replacement.
Navigating Pricing Structures: Wholesale and Beyond
If you are looking to maximize savings, understanding different sales channels is helpful.
Understanding Wholesale Kitchen Cabinet Pricing
Wholesale kitchen cabinet pricing usually means buying directly from the manufacturer or a dedicated distributor, often bypassing a traditional retail markup.
- Who gets wholesale pricing? Contractors, interior designers, and cabinet dealers usually get these rates.
- Can homeowners get it? Sometimes, yes, especially if you are buying a large volume (e.g., for a whole house or a multi-unit build). For a single kitchen, true wholesale pricing is rare unless you buy RTA units from an online-only vendor acting as a direct distributor.
When comparing quotes, always ask if the price reflects dealer cost or retail pricing.
Shopping Around: Where to Buy Affordable Kitchen Cabinets
To get the best deal, you need to compare sources:
- Big Box Home Improvement Stores: They offer a good mix of stock and semi-custom options. Sales events can yield good savings.
- Local Cabinet Makers: Best for custom work, but you might pay more due to smaller production runs.
- Online Cabinet Retailers: These often have lower overhead, making their ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets price very competitive. Be meticulous about checking reviews for quality control.
- Direct Suppliers/Distributors: If you work with a general contractor, they likely have established relationships for better wholesale kitchen cabinet pricing.
Factors That Inflate Your Cabinet Budget
Beyond the basic material choice, several hidden elements can quickly push up new kitchen cabinet prices:
Interior Organization and Features
Modern kitchens demand functionality. Features that add significant cost include:
- Deep Drawers: Drawers cost more than standard shelves.
- Pull-Out Trash Bins: Requires specific hardware and mechanism boxes.
- Spice Racks and Peg Systems: Specialized inserts increase the cost to remodel kitchen cabinets.
- Glass Fronts or Custom Inserts: Require more expensive materials and careful installation.
Finish Complexity
A simple white paint finish is cheaper than a dark stain or glaze. Exotic wood veneers or unique paint colors require specialized application, increasing the custom kitchen cabinet pricing.
Countertop Overhang and Support
If you are adding a large overhang for a breakfast bar, the base cabinets must be structurally reinforced. This requires extra material and labor time, affecting the overall kitchen cabinet installation cost.
Calculating Your Project Scope
Before calling for quotes, measure your kitchen precisely. Knowing how many linear feet of cabinetry you need is the first step toward getting an accurate estimate that accounts for the average cost for new kitchen cabinets in your area.
A simple checklist helps categorize your needs:
- How many upper cabinets are needed?
- How many base cabinets (including sink bases and drawer stacks)?
- Do you need pantry cabinets or appliance garages?
- What style of door (Shaker, slab, raised panel)?
Use these numbers when getting quotes for semi-custom cabinet cost versus stock options. A small kitchen needing 10 boxes might cost significantly less than a large kitchen needing 25, even if the per-unit price is the same.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Kitchen Cabinet Costs
H5: How much does installation labor usually add to the cabinet cost?
Professional installation generally adds 15% to 30% on top of the cabinet price. For complex custom jobs, this percentage can be higher due to the specialized skill needed for perfect alignment and trim work.
H5: Can I save money by choosing semi-custom over custom cabinets?
Yes, significantly. While custom kitchen cabinet pricing offers total freedom, semi-custom cabinet cost allows you to pick standard sizes with upgraded finishes or deeper drawers, saving you 20% to 50% compared to building everything from scratch.
H5: What is the cheapest way to get new kitchen cabinets?
The cheapest route involves purchasing ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets price units online and handling the assembly and installation yourself (DIY). This minimizes both material and labor expenses.
H5: Does the kitchen cabinet replacement cost include countertop removal?
Not always. When soliciting bids for kitchen cabinet replacement cost, be sure to clarify if the quote covers the demolition, removal, and disposal of the old cabinets and the existing countertops that rest on them. This detail is crucial for calculating the total cost to remodel kitchen cabinets.
H5: Where can I look for wholesale kitchen cabinet pricing as a homeowner?
Homeowners rarely get true wholesale kitchen cabinet pricing. However, you can find near-wholesale deals by looking at direct-to-consumer online suppliers who sell RTA or stock lines, or by purchasing in large bulk quantities from a local dealer who may offer a volume discount.