The average cost of kitchen cabinets for a standard kitchen remodel typically falls between \$4,000 and \$21,000, but this range is very wide because cabinet costs depend on many things, like the material, style, and where you buy them.
Knowing what drives the final price tag is key for planning your kitchen remodel cabinet budget. Cabinets are usually the biggest expense in a kitchen upgrade, often taking up 30% to 50% of the total budget. This guide breaks down the costs so you can make smart choices.
Fathoming the Major Cost Factors Affecting Cabinet Cost
The final price you pay for your kitchen cabinets is not a single number. Many different things push the price up or down. Knowing these factors affecting cabinet cost helps you decide where to save and where to splurge.
Cabinet Construction Type: Custom vs. Stock
The biggest separator in kitchen cabinet pricing is how the cabinets are built and sold.
Stock Cabinet Prices
Stock cabinets are the most budget-friendly option. These are pre-made in standard sizes.
- Pros: They are readily available, cost less, and installation is often quicker.
- Cons: You have limited choices for colors, door styles, and finishes. You might need filler strips to make them fit oddly shaped spaces.
Semi-Custom Cabinet Estimates
Semi-custom cabinet estimates sit in the middle ground. They start with standard sizes but allow for some changes.
- You can choose different depths, widths, or upgrade hardware.
- These offer a good blend of choice and affordability, making them popular for many remodels.
Custom Cabinet Prices
These are built just for your space. A craftsman builds them after measuring your kitchen exactly.
- Pros: Perfect fit, endless options for wood, color, and unique storage features.
- Cons: They cost the most and take the longest time to produce and deliver.
| Cabinet Type | Typical Price Range (per linear foot) | Customization Level | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | \$100 – \$350 | Low | Immediate to 2 weeks |
| Semi-Custom | \$200 – \$650 | Medium | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Custom | \$500 – \$1,200+ | High | 8 to 16 weeks |
Material Quality: Box and Door Construction
Cabinets are made of two main parts: the box (the frame) and the doors/drawer fronts. Both affect the final cost.
Box Construction
The cabinet box needs to be strong. Better boxes last longer.
- Plywood Boxes: These are usually the best and cost more. They hold up well against moisture.
- MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) or Particleboard Boxes: These are cheaper. They might swell if they get very wet.
Door and Drawer Material
The door style is the most visible part of your kitchen.
- Laminate or Thermofoil: Very budget-friendly. These are plastic layers glued over composite wood. They are easy to clean.
- Wood Veneer: A thin layer of real wood over a composite core. A good middle ground.
- Solid Wood (Maple, Cherry, Oak): The most expensive option. They look great and can be refinished later.
Finish Quality
The finish protects the wood and provides the color.
- Laminate/Melamine: Cheapest. A surface layer applied to the cabinet box.
- Stain: Shows the natural wood grain. Costs more than paint.
- Paint: A solid color finish. High-quality finishes require many coats and baking for durability, which adds to the price.
Deciphering the Price Per Linear Foot Kitchen Cabinets
Many suppliers use the price per linear foot kitchen cabinets metric. This helps compare apples to apples, regardless of the layout.
A linear foot is simply one foot of cabinet space placed side-by-side. This calculation includes the base cabinets and the wall cabinets combined.
For example, if you have 10 feet of base cabinets and 10 feet of wall cabinets, you have 20 linear feet total.
If your chosen cabinet line costs \$400 per linear foot:
$20 \text{ linear feet} \times \$400/\text{linear foot} = \$8,000$ for the cabinets alone.
This metric is a useful starting point but does not include taxes, delivery fees, or specialized pieces like glass doors or pantry pull-outs.
Exploring Retail Channels: Where to Buy Matters
Where you shop significantly impacts kitchen cabinet pricing. Different sellers offer different services and price points.
Wholesale Kitchen Cabinet Prices
If you are managing your own installation or working with a contractor who buys in bulk, you can access wholesale kitchen cabinet prices.
- Benefit: Prices are lower because you skip the retail markup.
- Requirement: Often requires a minimum order quantity or a contractor license.
Big Box Stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s)
These stores primarily sell stock and semi-custom lines.
- Pricing: Mid-range. You pay more than wholesale but get the benefit of in-store design help and easy returns.
- Service: They handle logistics but often outsource the actual cabinet production to large manufacturers.
Independent Kitchen Dealers (IKD)
These dealers focus on high-end semi-custom and custom work.
- Pricing: Higher end. You are paying for expert design consultation and high-quality materials.
- Service: Excellent, personalized service and detailed 3D renderings of your new kitchen.
Online Retailers and RTA Cabinet Pricing
The rise of online sales has introduced affordability through the RTA cabinet pricing model. RTA stands for Ready-to-Assemble.
- Process: Cabinets arrive flat-packed like furniture. You or your installer assemble them on-site.
- Savings: You save a lot by eliminating assembly labor costs for the manufacturer. This is often the cheapest route for decent quality cabinets.
- Warning: Assembly can be tricky. Poor assembly leads to weak joints and alignment issues later.
Hidden Costs: Beyond the Box Price
The price tag on the cabinet door is only part of the story. You must budget for these extras:
Cabinet Installation Costs
Cabinet installation costs can add 15% to 25% on top of the cabinet price. This varies based on complexity.
- Complexity: Installing stock cabinets in a perfectly square, small kitchen is cheap. Installing custom cabinets around oddly angled walls or high ceilings costs more.
- Labor Rate: Installers usually charge by the hour or by the piece (e.g., price per cabinet box). Expect rates between \$50 and \$125 per hour, depending on your region.
Upgrades and Accessories
These items dramatically change the final bill but improve kitchen function.
- Drawer Inserts: Custom dividers for cutlery, spices, or trash bins.
- Specialty Pull-Outs: Trash cans, pot-and-pan organizers, or spice racks that slide out.
- Glass Inserts and Lighting: Cabinets with glass fronts need special backing or lighting installed inside.
- Decorative Elements: Moldings, light rails, toe kicks, and decorative legs cost extra.
Delivery and Tax
Always confirm if the quote includes delivery fees. Large, heavy cabinet orders often incur significant freight charges. Sales tax also needs to be factored in, which varies by location.
Budgeting Strategies: Fitting Cabinets into Your Kitchen Remodel Budget
To keep your kitchen remodel on track, you need a firm cabinet budget plan.
The 50/30/20 Rule (Cabinet Focus)
A common way to allocate a kitchen remodel cabinet budget is to use a tiered approach:
- 50% for Cabinet Boxes and Doors: This is the base cost derived from the material type (stock vs. custom).
- 30% for Installation and Hardware: This covers the labor and any necessary pulls, knobs, and functional hardware.
- 20% for Upgrades and Accessories: This is your “flex” money for pull-outs, specialized storage, and complex layouts.
If you want high-end custom cabinets, you might spend 70% just on the boxes, meaning you must severely cut back on installation quality or skip all accessories.
Saving Money on Cabinets
- Go Semi-Custom over Custom: Choosing standard dimensions that fit your space can save thousands.
- Use RTA for Less Visible Areas: If you are building a pantry or laundry room, use RTA cabinet pricing to save money there, and splurge on the main kitchen area.
- Stick to Simple Door Styles: Shaker doors are popular because they are easy to build and cheaper than highly detailed raised-panel doors.
- Keep the Layout: Moving plumbing or gas lines requires costly structural changes. Keeping the sink and range in their current spots saves on installation labor and associated fees.
When to Choose Custom Over Stock
If your kitchen has many non-standard elements, custom might save you money in the long run by minimizing wasted space and avoiding expensive filler pieces required by stock lines.
- Sloped ceilings or odd angles.
- Need for very specific, deep storage (e.g., wine storage, appliance garages).
Case Studies: Comparing Costs for a Small Kitchen
Let’s look at three different cabinet choices for a small, hypothetical kitchen needing 20 linear feet of cabinetry.
| Scenario | Cabinet Type | Box Material | Door Style | Estimated Cabinet Cost | Estimated Installation Cost | Total Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Saver | Stock (Big Box) | Particleboard | Slab/Laminate | \$3,500 | \$1,500 (Simple Install) | \$5,000 |
| Mid-Range Favorite | Semi-Custom | Plywood | Shaker | \$7,500 | \$2,500 (Moderate Install) | \$10,000 |
| High-End Dream | Custom | Hardwood Plywood | Raised Panel | \$15,000 | \$3,500 (Complex Install) | \$18,500 |
These estimates show how much the initial choice of cabinet line impacts the average cost of kitchen cabinets.
Installation Logistics and Timeline
Installation is often rushed, which leads to problems later. Good planning avoids this.
Hiring an Installer
Cabinet installation costs are highly dependent on who you hire.
- General Contractor (GC): They often sub the work out. The price includes the GC’s markup. This is convenient but usually more expensive.
- Cabinet Company Installer: If you buy from a dealer, they usually guarantee the fit, as their reputation depends on it.
- Independent Carpenter: Can offer competitive hourly rates but ensure they specialize in cabinetry, not just general framing.
Timeline Impact
The time it takes to get cabinets installed affects your whole project timeline.
- Stock: Can be installed within days of arrival (if the boxes are ready).
- Semi-Custom: Requires 4-8 weeks for manufacturing, plus installation time (usually 3-5 days).
- Custom: Requires 8-16 weeks for crafting, plus installation time (can take a week or more due to precision fitting).
Always order cabinets first. Countertop templating cannot happen until the cabinets are perfectly in place.
Advanced Considerations for Cabinet Value
When evaluating kitchen cabinet pricing, look past the sticker price to long-term value.
Durability and Warranty
A 25-year warranty on a plywood box from a custom shop speaks to quality. A 5-year warranty on an RTA box suggests you might replace it sooner. Paying more upfront for better construction often means you won’t need to replace them again in 15 years.
Hardware Quality
Don’t forget the moving parts. Cheap drawer slides will fail under heavy pots and pans.
- Look for full-extension, soft-close drawer slides. These are a standard feature in good semi-custom and custom lines but are expensive add-ons for stock cabinets.
- Good hardware can easily add \$100 to \$300 per kitchen, but it is essential for daily enjoyment.
Final Thoughts on Budgeting
Setting a realistic kitchen remodel cabinet budget requires honesty about your needs. Do you need a gourmet kitchen that will last 30 years, or a solid, functional kitchen for the next 10 years while you flip the house?
By comparing wholesale kitchen cabinet prices versus retail dealer markups, factoring in the complexities of installation, and choosing between stock, semi-custom, and custom builds, you gain full control over the largest portion of your renovation budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the cheapest way to buy kitchen cabinets?
The cheapest way to buy kitchen cabinets is generally through RTA cabinet pricing models, where you assemble them yourself, or by purchasing stock cabinets from a large home improvement retailer.
How much should I budget for cabinet installation?
You should budget roughly 15% to 25% of the total cost of the cabinets for cabinet installation costs. For a \$10,000 cabinet purchase, expect \$1,500 to \$2,500 for professional installation.
Are custom cabinets worth the extra money?
Custom vs stock cabinet prices show a huge gap, but custom cabinets are worth it if you have unique space requirements, prioritize specific finishes, or plan to stay in your home long-term. For maximum durability and a perfect fit, they are superior.
What does “price per linear foot kitchen cabinets” include?
The price per linear foot kitchen cabinets metric usually includes the cost of the basic cabinet box, door, and finish for standard base and wall units. It typically excludes hardware, taxes, delivery, and installation labor.
What is the typical markup on cabinets from wholesale to retail?
Retail markups can vary widely, but it is common for dealers to mark up wholesale kitchen cabinet prices by 50% to 100% to cover design services, inventory holding, and overhead.