The average cost to replace kitchen cabinets in the United States generally ranges from \$4,000 to \$25,000, but this can change a lot based on the size of your kitchen, the quality of the materials you choose, and where you live.
Replacing kitchen cabinets is a big job. It changes how your kitchen looks and how well it works. Knowing the costs upfront helps you plan your budget well. This guide will help you figure out what you might spend. We will look at different cabinet types and what adds to the final price.
Factors That Shape Your Total Investment
Many things push the price of new cabinets up or down. Think of these as dials you can turn to control your spending.
Kitchen Size Matters Most
Bigger kitchens need more cabinets. More cabinets mean more materials and more time for the installers. A small galley kitchen will always cost less than a large U-shaped kitchen. Measure your space carefully. Count how many base cabinets, wall cabinets, and tall pantry cabinets you need. This number is the first big driver of the kitchen cabinet replacement cost.
Cabinet Material Quality
The wood or material used sets a major part of the price tag. Solid wood costs the most. Plywood boxes are mid-range. Particleboard or MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) are often the cheapest choices.
- Solid Wood (Maple, Cherry, Oak): Highest upfront cost, but very durable and looks great.
- Plywood Boxes with Veneer/Laminate: Good middle ground. Offers solid structure without the highest wood price.
- MDF/Particleboard: Most affordable kitchen cabinet options. Best for very tight budgets or rentals. They may not last as long as wood.
Door Style and Finish
Cabinet doors are the face of your kitchen. Simple, flat doors cost less than doors with lots of panels or fancy designs.
- Shaker Style: Very popular. It is simple, clean, and usually mid-priced.
- Raised Panel or Detailed Trim: These need more crafting time. They drive up the new kitchen cabinet pricing.
- Paint vs. Stain: Factory painting often adds a bit to the cost compared to a standard wood stain finish. Custom paint colors cost more than standard white or gray.
Hardware and Extras
Don’t forget the small parts. Knobs and pulls add up. Soft-close hinges and drawer glides are great features but cost extra. Pull-out spice racks or hidden trash bins also increase the price.
Deciphering Cabinet Types and Price Points
When shopping, you will see three main categories of cabinets. Each category offers a different balance between price, customization, and quality.
Stock Cabinets: The Budget Champion
Stock cabinets are pre-made in standard sizes (like 12 inches wide, 15 inches wide, etc.). They are ready to ship quickly.
- Pros: Lowest price point, fast availability. Great for where to buy kitchen cabinets cheap.
- Cons: Limited style and size choices. You must fit your kitchen to the cabinets, not the other way around.
- Price Expectation: These are the most budget-friendly choice for materials, often starting around \$100 to \$300 per cabinet box.
Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets
These cabinets offer more flexibility than stock options. You can often choose different depths, a wider range of finishes, and more door styles.
- Pros: Good mix of features and cost. Offers more personalization. These are often semi-custom kitchen cabinet prices that offer the best value kitchen cabinets for many homeowners.
- Cons: Longer lead times than stock options, usually 4 to 8 weeks.
- Price Expectation: Expect materials to run from \$250 to \$700 per cabinet.
Custom Cabinets: Total Personalization
Custom cabinets are built just for your space. Every dimension is tailored. If your kitchen has weird angles or you need a very specific storage solution, custom is the way to go.
- Pros: Perfect fit, endless design options, highest quality materials often used.
- Cons: Most expensive option, longest lead times (sometimes months). The custom cabinet installation cost is also typically higher due to the complexity.
- Price Expectation: Materials often start at \$500 and can easily go over \$1,200 per cabinet box.
Comparing Cabinet Replacement Strategies
Before you settle on entirely new cabinets, you should weigh replacement against refinishing or refacing.
Cabinet Refacing vs. Replacement Cost
Refacing means keeping your existing cabinet boxes. You only replace the doors, drawer fronts, and the visible exterior veneer.
| Strategy | Description | Typical Cost Range (Medium Kitchen) |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Refacing | Keep boxes, replace doors/drawer fronts, new hardware. | \$2,500 – \$8,000 |
| Cabinet Replacement | Remove old cabinets entirely, install new boxes and doors. | \$4,000 – \$25,000+ |
Refacing is much cheaper than replacement. However, if your current cabinet boxes are damaged, warped, or poorly laid out, refacing won’t fix those structural issues. Replacement gives you a completely fresh start.
Painting or Refinishing Old Cabinets
If your current cabinet boxes are solid wood and the layout works, simply painting or staining them is the cheapest route. This focuses mostly on materials and labor for prep work. This is not a replacement strategy, but it’s a key budget comparison point.
Breaking Down the Costs: Materials vs. Labor
The total kitchen cabinet replacement cost breaks down into two main parts: the cabinets themselves (materials) and the work to put them in (labor).
Material Costs (The Cabinets)
Materials usually make up 50% to 70% of the total project budget. This includes the boxes, doors, drawers, hinges, and slides.
If you opt for high-end materials like solid cherry wood with specialized storage inserts, your material cost could reach the higher end of the spectrum. Choosing laminate or melamine stock cabinets will keep this number low.
Labor Costs for Cabinet Installation
The labor cost for cabinet installation varies based on your location and the complexity of the job. Experienced installers charge more, but they work faster and ensure everything is level and plumb.
Installation labor often includes:
- Removal and disposal of old cabinets.
- Measuring and layout verification.
- Mounting and securing all new wall and base cabinets.
- Installing filler strips, toe-kicks, and crown molding.
For a standard, medium-sized kitchen, labor might account for \$1,500 to \$5,000 of the total project cost. Complex layouts, custom features, or difficult access areas will increase this figure significantly.
The Hidden Costs of Cabinet Replacement
Beyond the price tags on the cabinets and the labor quote, there are other expenses you must budget for. Ignoring these often leads to budget overruns.
Demolition and Disposal Fees
Your contractor needs to safely remove the old cabinets. They must haul them away, which involves dump fees or dumpster rental costs. Ask if this is included in the labor cost for cabinet installation.
Countertop Coordination
When new cabinets go in, the old countertops almost always need to go too, especially if you change the layout or height.
- If you keep the same layout: You might be able to reuse the countertop, but this is risky. Usually, the old countertop is removed, the new cabinets are installed, and then the countertop templating company measures for the new counters.
- If you change the layout: New countertops are mandatory. This is a separate, often expensive, line item in your renovation budget.
Plumbing and Electrical Adjustments
If you move your sink or dishwasher location, your plumber must adjust the lines. If you add new under-cabinet lighting or need new outlets near an island, an electrician is needed. These specialized trades add to the overall project bill.
Backsplash Removal and Installation
If your current backsplash goes over the existing wall cabinets, it will likely need to be removed before the old cabinets come out. You will likely want a new backsplash installed with the new cabinets for a finished look. This requires another set of specialized labor.
Finding the Best Value Kitchen Cabinets
To get the most bang for your buck, you need to shop smart. Finding the best value kitchen cabinets means balancing cost, durability, and looks.
Shopping Smart: Where to Buy Kitchen Cabinets Cheap
- Big Box Stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s): These stores often carry stock and semi-custom lines. They frequently run sales, making them a good place to find deals on standard sizes.
- Independent Kitchen Dealers: While they might seem pricier, they often offer better quality semi-custom lines and expert design advice included in the price.
- Online Cabinet Suppliers: Several reputable online sellers offer ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets. RTA is the cheapest material route, but you must handle assembly or hire someone to do it, adding to the labor costs.
Focus on Box Construction
The biggest factor in cabinet longevity is the box itself, not just the door style. Look for cabinets made with at least 3/4-inch plywood boxes, especially for the base cabinets that hold heavy items. Avoid particleboard or MDF for the structural box if you plan to stay in your home long-term.
The Cost Comparison Table: A General Look
This table gives a very rough idea of typical material costs for a standard 10×10 kitchen layout, using mid-grade materials (e.g., plywood boxes, shaker style doors).
| Cabinet Type | Estimated Material Cost Range | Customization Level | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock (Ready to Ship) | \$3,000 – \$7,000 | Low | 1 – 3 Weeks |
| Semi-Custom | \$5,000 – \$12,000 | Medium | 4 – 8 Weeks |
| Custom Built | \$10,000 – \$25,000+ | High | 8 – 16 Weeks |
Note: These figures are for materials only and do not include labor, demolition, or countertops.
Finalizing the Budget for Replacement
When you get quotes for your project, ensure they are detailed. A low initial quote that excludes installation or disposal fees is not a real quote.
When reviewing bids, ask these specific questions:
- Is the labor cost for cabinet installation based on a fixed price or hourly rate?
- Are there allowances for filler pieces if the cabinets don’t fit perfectly?
- Does the quote include warranty information for the cabinets and the installation work?
- What is the payment schedule? (Never pay the full amount upfront.)
Choosing new cabinets is exciting. By knowing the difference between cabinet refacing vs replacement cost, focusing on box quality over door flashiness, and carefully vetting your contractors, you can control the final kitchen cabinet replacement cost and achieve the kitchen of your dreams without shocking budget surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Kitchen Cabinet Replacement
How much does it typically cost to install new kitchen cabinets?
The labor cost for cabinet installation alone usually runs between \$1,500 and \$5,000 for an average kitchen, but this depends on complexity, location, and whether old cabinets need removal. Always get an itemized quote detailing labor hours.
Are semi-custom kitchen cabinet prices worth the extra money over stock cabinets?
Yes, for most homeowners, semi-custom kitchen cabinet prices offer the best value kitchen cabinets. They give you better material options and the ability to order slightly different sizes, resulting in a better final fit than purely stock units, without the massive price jump of fully custom work.
What are the cheapest ways to get new-looking cabinets?
The cheapest route is usually cabinet refacing, which keeps existing boxes. If you absolutely must replace everything, look for stock cabinets (or RTA cabinets) made from MDF or particleboard. Research local suppliers to find where to buy kitchen cabinets cheap.
Does the cabinet brand affect the overall replacement cost?
Yes, the brand significantly impacts new kitchen cabinet pricing. Designer or high-end national brands charge a premium for their name, quality control, and distribution network. Lesser-known, locally-made, or direct-to-consumer brands can offer comparable quality at a lower material cost.
How long does the cabinet installation labor take?
For a standard kitchen replacement (assuming no major layout changes), the actual cabinet installation often takes a skilled crew of two people between one and three full days. Custom projects that require fitting many fillers or complicated moulding may take longer.