How much do kitchen cabinets cost? The cost of kitchen cabinets can range from around $100 per linear foot for stock options to over $1,500 per linear foot for high-end custom designs. Several factors influence this price, including materials, construction style, brand, and installation.
Renovating or building a kitchen is an exciting process, but it can also be overwhelming, especially when you start looking at the costs involved. Among the biggest expenses in any kitchen project are the cabinets. They are not just storage; they are the backbone of your kitchen’s design and functionality. Getting a handle on kitchen cabinet prices is crucial for budgeting and making informed decisions.
This guide will break down everything you need to know about kitchen cabinet costs, from the different types available to the factors that drive up or down the price. We’ll explore average cost of kitchen cabinets, delve into cabinet installation costs, and look at options like RTA cabinet costs, kitchen cabinet replacement cost, and cabinet refacing cost.
Image Source: static.homeguide.com
Deciphering Cabinet Types and Their Price Tags
The type of cabinets you choose is the most significant factor determining your overall kitchen cabinet prices. There are generally three main categories: stock, semi-custom, and custom. Each offers a different balance of price, style, and customization.
Stock Kitchen Cabinets: The Budget-Friendly Choice
Stock cabinets are pre-made, mass-produced units that come in a limited range of sizes, styles, and finishes. They are the most affordable option because they are manufactured in large quantities and require no customization.
- Pros:
- Lowest price point.
- Readily available at big-box home improvement stores and online retailers.
- Faster delivery times.
- Cons:
- Limited selection of sizes, styles, and finishes.
- May not fit your space perfectly, potentially leading to gaps or awkward layouts.
- Fewer options for internal organizers and hardware.
Stock kitchen cabinet prices can start as low as $75 to $150 per linear foot for basic options. For example, a 10×10 kitchen might need around 30 linear feet of cabinetry, bringing the cabinet box cost to roughly $2,250 to $4,500.
Semi-Custom Cabinet Pricing: A Step Up in Flexibility
Semi-custom cabinets offer a middle ground. They are built to order based on a wider range of standard sizes, styles, and finishes than stock cabinets. You can select from various door styles, wood types, and colors, and often choose from a broader array of interior features like pull-out shelves or specialized drawer organizers.
- Pros:
- More design flexibility than stock cabinets.
- Better quality construction and materials generally.
- Can accommodate more specific size needs.
- Cons:
- Higher price than stock cabinets.
- Longer lead times for manufacturing and delivery.
Semi-custom cabinet pricing typically falls between $150 and $400 per linear foot. For our 10×10 kitchen example, this would mean a cabinet box cost of $4,500 to $12,000. Many homeowners find semi-custom cabinets offer a good balance of quality, customization, and price for their kitchen renovation.
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Price: The Pinnacle of Personalization
Custom kitchen cabinets price reflects the highest level of design and craftsmanship. These cabinets are made specifically for your kitchen, built to your exact specifications for size, style, materials, and every detail imaginable. You work closely with a cabinet maker or designer to create a truly unique product.
- Pros:
- Unlimited design possibilities.
- Perfectly tailored to your kitchen space and needs.
- Highest quality materials and construction.
- Unique hardware, finishes, and specialized features.
- Cons:
- Most expensive option by a significant margin.
- Longest lead times.
- Requires more involved design and decision-making.
For custom kitchen cabinets price, expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,500+ per linear foot. This means our 10×10 kitchen could see cabinet box costs ranging from $15,000 to $45,000 or even more.
RTA Cabinet Costs: Assembly Required
Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) cabinets are a popular choice for DIYers and those looking to save money. They are essentially stock cabinets that come flat-packed and require assembly. Many RTA cabinets are sold online.
- Pros:
- Often more affordable than pre-assembled stock cabinets.
- Can offer good quality for the price.
- Convenient for shipping and transport.
- Cons:
- Requires assembly, which can be time-consuming and requires some skill.
- Quality can vary significantly by brand.
- Limited availability of styles and finishes compared to custom or semi-custom.
RTA cabinet costs can be competitive, sometimes even overlapping with the lower end of stock cabinets, around $75 to $200 per linear foot for the unassembled units. Factor in potential tool purchases or delivery fees, but the main cost saving is in labor if you assemble them yourself.
Fathoming Kitchen Cabinet Materials Cost
The materials used to construct your cabinets play a huge role in their durability, appearance, and cost. The primary components are the cabinet boxes (carcass), drawer boxes, and the doors and drawer fronts.
Cabinet Box Materials
- Plywood: This is the most common and generally the best material for cabinet boxes. It’s made from thin layers of wood veneer glued together. Plywood is strong, durable, and resistant to warping.
- Grades: Different grades of plywood exist, affecting cost and quality. Furniture-grade plywood (like birch, maple, or oak veneer) is typically used for cabinets.
- Cost: Plywood can add a significant portion to kitchen cabinet materials cost. Expect to pay more for higher-grade plywood.
- Particleboard/MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): These are composite wood products made from wood fibers, resin, and wax.
- Pros: Cheaper than plywood, very stable, and provides a smooth surface for veneers or laminate.
- Cons: Less durable than plywood, susceptible to water damage, and can sag over time, especially under heavy loads. Not ideal for drawer boxes or areas that might get wet.
- Cost: Particleboard and MDF are considerably cheaper than plywood, making them common in lower-cost stock and RTA cabinets.
Drawer Box Materials
- Solid Wood (e.g., Maple, Oak, Birch): This is the most durable and desirable material for drawer boxes. It’s strong and can withstand frequent use. Full-extension drawer slides with dovetail joinery are a sign of high-quality drawer boxes.
- Cost: Solid wood drawer boxes are more expensive.
- Plywood: High-quality plywood is also used for drawer boxes and is a good, durable option.
- Particleboard/MDF: Less common for drawer boxes due to potential for sagging, but sometimes used in very budget-friendly options.
Door and Drawer Front Materials
The aesthetic and cost of your cabinets are heavily influenced by the materials used for the doors and drawer fronts.
- Solid Wood:
- Types: Maple, oak, cherry, birch, hickory, alder, knotty pine, etc. Each wood species has its own grain pattern, hardness, and price. Maple and birch are generally less expensive, while cherry and walnut tend to be pricier.
- Styles: Raised panel, recessed panel, shaker, slab (flat panel), beadboard, etc. The complexity of the door style can affect the kitchen cabinet materials cost.
- Cost: Solid wood is a premium material and will contribute significantly to your cabinet cost.
- Veneers: Thin slices of real wood are glued onto a plywood or MDF core. This offers the look of solid wood at a lower cost and with greater stability (less prone to warping).
- Laminates: A plastic or paper material is fused to a core (often MDF or particleboard). High-pressure laminates (HPL) are very durable and come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including realistic wood grains.
- Cost: Laminates can be very cost-effective and offer good durability.
- Thermo-foil: A vinyl film is heated and vacuum-sealed onto an MDF core. It provides a seamless, smooth finish.
- Pros: Affordable, easy to clean.
- Cons: Can be susceptible to damage from heat and moisture, and the film can peel over time, especially in humid environments.
- Cost: Generally one of the most budget-friendly options.
- Metal and Glass: Specialty materials like stainless steel, aluminum, or glass doors can add a modern touch but often come at a higher price point.
Key Factors Influencing Kitchen Cabinet Prices
Beyond the type and material, several other elements will impact your final bill.
Cabinet Construction and Features
- Joinery: How the cabinet boxes and drawers are put together. Dovetail joints for drawers are a sign of quality and add to the cost.
- Drawer Slides: Full-extension, soft-close slides are a premium feature that increases cost but enhances usability.
- Hinges: Soft-close hinges are also a popular upgrade.
- Internal Organizers: Pull-out shelves, spice racks, dividers, lazy Susans, and other accessories add convenience but also cost.
- Finishing: The type of stain, paint, or glaze applied to the cabinets. Multi-step or custom finishes will be more expensive than standard stains.
Hardware
The handles, knobs, and drawer pulls you choose are like the jewelry for your cabinets. While not part of the cabinet box itself, they are essential and add to the overall project cost.
- Cost: Hardware can range from a few dollars per piece for basic styles to $50 or more for designer options.
Brand and Manufacturer
Reputable brands known for quality and craftsmanship often command higher prices. Big-box store brands might be more affordable, while boutique or high-end manufacturers will be at the top of the price range.
Design Complexity and Layout
A simple, straight-line kitchen will generally be less expensive than a U-shaped or L-shaped kitchen with many corners, angles, and specialized cabinets (e.g., pantry cabinets, appliance garages). The more cabinets and the more intricate the design, the higher the cost.
Installation
This is a significant cost that many homeowners underestimate.
- Cabinet installation costs can vary depending on the complexity of the installation, your location, and whether you hire a professional contractor or a specialized cabinet installer.
- Average cost of kitchen cabinets often includes installation in quotes from kitchen designers or cabinet shops.
- Expect to pay roughly 10% to 30% of the cabinet cost for professional installation. For a $15,000 cabinet job, this could mean $1,500 to $4,500 for installation.
DIY installation can save money, but it requires precision, the right tools, and a good understanding of cabinetry.
Kitchen Cabinet Replacement Cost vs. Refacing vs. New
When your current cabinets are looking tired, you have a few options, each with its own cost implications.
Kitchen Cabinet Replacement Cost
This involves completely removing your old cabinets and installing new ones. This is the most expensive option but offers the most significant transformation.
- Cost: This will encompass the price of new cabinets (stock, semi-custom, or custom) plus the cabinet installation costs, plus the cost of demolition and disposal of the old cabinets.
- For a mid-range kitchen, the total kitchen cabinet replacement cost could be anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on the choices made.
Cabinet Refacing Cost
Cabinet refacing involves keeping your existing cabinet boxes and replacing only the doors and drawer fronts. The existing boxes are usually cleaned, repaired, and then covered with a veneer or laminate to match the new doors.
- Pros:
- Significantly less expensive than full replacement.
- Faster than full replacement, as the boxes stay in place.
- Offers a fresh look with new doors and hardware.
- Cons:
- Limited to updating the look; the internal structure and organization of the cabinets remain the same.
- Quality depends heavily on the skill of the refacer.
- Not an option if the cabinet boxes are damaged or warped.
Cabinet refacing cost typically ranges from $100 to $250 per linear foot. For our 10×10 kitchen (30 linear feet), this could be between $3,000 and $7,500. This is a popular choice for homeowners looking for a budget-friendly facelift.
Cabinet Refinishing/Painting
This involves sanding down the existing cabinets and applying a new finish (paint or stain).
- Pros:
- Least expensive option.
- Can dramatically change the look of your kitchen.
- Cons:
- Labor-intensive if done DIY.
- Professional painting can be expensive, sometimes approaching refacing costs.
- Durability depends on the prep work and type of finish used.
- Can’t fix structural issues or change the door style.
Cabinet refinishing cost can be $1,000 to $5,000 for a whole kitchen if done professionally. DIY can be much cheaper if you only factor in materials, but it demands a lot of time and effort.
Budgeting for Your Kitchen Cabinets
When planning your kitchen renovation, it’s wise to allocate a significant portion of your budget to cabinets. A general rule of thumb is that cabinets can account for 30% to 50% of your total kitchen remodel budget.
Creating a Cabinet Budget
- Measure Your Space: Accurately measure the linear feet of wall space you need cabinets for. Don’t forget corner cabinets and any specialized units.
- Determine Your Style: Decide whether stock, semi-custom, or custom cabinets best fit your needs and budget.
- Choose Your Materials: Research different wood species, veneers, laminates, and finishes.
- Factor in Features: What internal organizers, hardware, and specialty cabinets do you want?
- Get Multiple Quotes: Obtain detailed quotes from several cabinet suppliers and installers. Ensure the quotes are comparable in terms of what is included.
- Include Installation: Always get a clear breakdown of installation costs.
- Add a Contingency: It’s always a good idea to add 10-15% to your budget for unexpected costs.
Average Cost of Kitchen Cabinets: A Summary Table
To give you a clearer picture, here’s a table summarizing the typical price ranges per linear foot for cabinet boxes only (excluding installation, hardware, and countertops).
| Cabinet Type | Price Per Linear Foot | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | $75 – $150 | Limited sizes, styles, and finishes. Mass-produced. |
| RTA (Flat-Pack) | $75 – $200 | Requires assembly. Can offer good value for DIYers. |
| Semi-Custom | $150 – $400 | More customization in sizes, styles, finishes, and features. |
| Custom | $500 – $1500+ | Tailor-made to exact specifications. Highest quality and customization. |
Important Note: These are rough estimates. The actual kitchen cabinet prices can vary greatly based on the specific options you select within each category.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the cheapest way to get new kitchen cabinets?
A1: The cheapest way to get new kitchen cabinets is to opt for stock or RTA (Ready-to-Assemble) cabinets. RTA cabinets, if you can assemble them yourself, often offer the best value by cutting down on pre-assembly labor costs.
Q2: Can I save money by installing cabinets myself?
A2: Yes, you can save money on cabinet installation costs by installing them yourself. However, this requires precision, the right tools, and a good understanding of carpentry. Mistakes can be costly, so weigh the savings against potential errors.
Q3: What is the average cost of kitchen cabinets for a 10×10 kitchen?
A3: For a 10×10 kitchen (approximately 30 linear feet), the average cost of kitchen cabinets alone can range from $2,250 for basic stock cabinets to $12,000 for semi-custom options, and $15,000 to $45,000+ for custom cabinets. This does not include installation or hardware.
Q4: What is cabinet refacing cost?
A4: Cabinet refacing cost typically ranges from $100 to $250 per linear foot. This includes new doors, drawer fronts, and a veneer applied to the existing cabinet boxes. It’s a more budget-friendly alternative to full cabinet replacement.
Q5: What are RTA cabinet costs?
A5: RTA cabinet costs are usually between $75 and $200 per linear foot for the unassembled units. They are a popular choice for budget-conscious homeowners and DIY enthusiasts looking to update their kitchen without the expense of fully assembled or custom cabinetry.
Q6: What is the kitchen cabinet materials cost breakdown?
A6: Kitchen cabinet materials cost is primarily driven by the wood species (or veneer/laminate) used for doors and drawer fronts, and the material for the cabinet boxes (plywood is generally more expensive than particleboard/MDF). Higher-quality joinery, drawer slides, and finishes also add to the material cost.
Q7: How much does cabinet installation cost?
A7: Cabinet installation costs typically add 10% to 30% of the total cabinet purchase price. For a $15,000 cabinet job, professional installation could range from $1,500 to $4,500. This can vary by location and installer.
Q8: What influences the custom kitchen cabinets price?
A8: The custom kitchen cabinets price is influenced by the complexity of the design, the specific wood species and finishes chosen, the quality of hardware and drawer slides, and the craftsmanship of the builder. Essentially, you pay for the tailored design and bespoke construction.
Conclusion
Choosing new kitchen cabinets is a significant investment, and it’s essential to approach the decision with a clear understanding of the costs involved. By exploring the different types of cabinets—stock, semi-custom, and custom—and considering the impact of materials, features, and installation, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your budget and aesthetic preferences. Whether you opt for the affordability of RTA cabinets, the value of refacing, or the bespoke luxury of custom designs, your kitchen cabinets will be a cornerstone of your home’s functionality and style for years to come. Thorough research and getting detailed quotes are your best tools for navigating the world of kitchen cabinet costs and achieving the kitchen of your dreams.