The cost of kitchen cabinets varies greatly, typically ranging from \$100 to \$1,200 per linear foot, with the average falling between \$300 and \$600 per linear foot. This price includes both the cabinets themselves and their installation. So, how much are cabinets for your kitchen? The final price depends on many factors, including the type of cabinets you choose, the materials used, the finishes, and the complexity of your kitchen layout.
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Deciphering Cabinet Price Factors
Many elements influence how much you’ll spend on kitchen cabinets. Let’s break down the main contributors to your kitchen cabinet prices.
Types of Kitchen Cabinets: A Cost Breakdown
The category of cabinets you select is a primary driver of cost. There are three main types: stock, semi-custom, and custom kitchen cabinets.
Stock Kitchen Cabinets
- What They Are: These are pre-made, mass-produced cabinets available in standard sizes. You can find them at big-box home improvement stores.
- Pros: The most affordable option, readily available, and quick to install.
- Cons: Limited size and style options, fewer material choices, and may not fit your kitchen perfectly.
- Cost: Typically range from \$75 to \$300 per linear foot. For a small kitchen, you might spend \$1,500 to \$5,000.
Semi-Custom Cabinets
- What They Are: These offer a middle ground. They start with a base of stock cabinet sizes but allow for more modifications, like deeper or narrower widths, additional shelf options, or decorative elements.
- Pros: More design flexibility than stock, better quality, and can be tailored to fit your space more precisely.
- Cons: More expensive than stock, longer lead times for ordering and delivery.
- Cost: Generally cost between \$150 and \$800 per linear foot. A typical kitchen might cost \$4,000 to \$15,000.
Custom Kitchen Cabinets
- What They Are: These are built from scratch to your exact specifications by a cabinet maker. You have complete control over dimensions, materials, finishes, and every design detail.
- Pros: Ultimate design freedom, perfect fit for any space, highest quality materials and construction, unique aesthetic.
- Cons: The most expensive option, longest lead times, require professional design and installation expertise.
- Cost: Can range from \$300 to \$1,200+ per linear foot. A modest kitchen could start at \$7,000, with larger or more elaborate kitchens costing \$20,000 to \$50,000 or even more.
Fathoming Cabinet Material Costs
The materials used for your cabinet boxes and doors significantly impact kitchen cabinet prices.
Cabinet Box Materials
The cabinet box is the internal structure.
- Particleboard: The least expensive option. It’s made from wood chips and resin. It can swell if exposed to moisture.
- MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): Denser than particleboard, offering a smoother surface for paint. It’s also more stable. It can still be susceptible to moisture damage.
- Plywood: A stronger and more durable option, made from thin layers of wood glued together. It’s more resistant to moisture than particleboard or MDF. Hardwood plywood (like birch or maple) is common and offers good stability.
- Solid Wood: The most expensive and durable option for cabinet boxes, though less common for the entire box due to cost and potential for expansion/contraction. Often used for frames and doors.
Cabinet Door and Drawer Front Materials
This is what you see, so it greatly affects the look and price.
- Laminate/Melamine: Inexpensive and easy to clean. Available in many colors and patterns, but can chip or peel over time.
- Thermofoil: A vinyl film heated and wrapped around an MDF core. Offers a seamless look and is easy to clean. Can delaminate or scorch near heat sources.
- Veneer: Thin slices of real wood applied over a substrate like plywood or MDF. Offers a real wood look at a lower cost than solid wood.
- Solid Wood: The traditional choice, offering natural beauty and durability. Common woods include maple, cherry, oak, and hickory. Each has its own grain pattern, hardness, and price point.
- Maple: Smooth grain, takes stain well, mid-range price.
- Oak: Prominent grain pattern, durable, mid-range price.
- Cherry: Smooth grain, deepens in color over time, more expensive.
- Hickory: Strong, varied grain patterns, can be more expensive.
Exploring Cabinet Finishes and Styles
The finish applied to your cabinets and the style of the doors and drawers are also significant cost factors.
Finishes
- Paint: Offers a clean, modern look and comes in countless colors. Can chip over time, especially on edges. Higher quality paints and application methods cost more.
- Stain: Enhances the natural beauty of wood grain. Available in various shades from light to dark.
- Glaze: A secondary finish applied over paint or stain to add depth and highlight details, often giving an antique look. Adds to the cost.
- Varnish/Clear Coat: Protects the wood and provides a sheen. Different sheens (matte, satin, semi-gloss, high-gloss) can affect the final look and price.
Door Styles
The design of your cabinet doors impacts the overall aesthetic and price.
- Slab (Flat Panel): Simple, modern design. Often the least expensive.
- Shaker: Features a recessed center panel and a square frame. Very popular, versatile, and moderately priced.
- Raised Panel: The center panel is raised, adding dimension and a more traditional look. More intricate to produce, so it’s more expensive.
- Recessed Panel: Similar to Shaker but with more detailed profiling around the center panel.
- Beadboard: Features vertical grooves, giving a cottage or farmhouse feel.
- Glass Fronts: Allow you to display items inside. Can be clear, frosted, or textured. Adds to the cost, and you’ll need to ensure the contents are tidy.
The Impact of Cabinet Hardware
While often a smaller part of the overall budget, cabinet hardware – knobs and pulls – can add up, especially in a large kitchen.
- Material: Options include brass, stainless steel, zinc, nickel, and ceramic. Prices vary based on the material and the complexity of the design.
- Style: From simple knobs to intricate pulls, styles range widely. Unique or designer hardware will cost more.
- Quantity: The number of cabinets and drawers you have will directly affect how much you spend on hardware.
- Cost: Expect to spend anywhere from \$2 to \$20+ per piece. For a kitchen with 30-40 doors and drawers, this could add \$60 to \$800 or more.
Cabinet Installation Costs
This is a crucial component of your kitchen remodel cabinet budget. Poor installation can mar even the most beautiful cabinets.
- Hourly Rate: Installers often charge by the hour. Rates can vary significantly based on your location and the installer’s experience. Expect to pay \$50 to \$150 per hour.
- Project-Based Fee: Some installers provide a flat fee for the entire job.
- Factors Affecting Installation Cost:
- Complexity of the Layout: L-shaped, U-shaped, or kitchens with many angles and custom pieces will take longer to install.
- Type of Cabinets: Stock cabinets may be quicker to install than semi-custom or custom cabinets that require precise placement.
- Existing Kitchen Condition: If walls are uneven or plumbing/electrical needs to be moved, installation can take longer and cost more.
- Need for Custom Modifications: Cutting or altering cabinets on-site adds time.
- Cabinet Refacing vs. Replacement: If you opt for cabinet refacing cost, it’s typically less than full replacement but still requires skilled labor.
Average Cabinet Installation Costs: For a standard kitchen, cabinet installation costs typically range from \$500 to \$3,000 or more. This can be 10-30% of the total cabinet material cost.
Other Considerations for Your Kitchen Remodel Cabinet Budget
Beyond the cabinets themselves and installation, other factors can influence your total spending.
- Customization and Accessories: Pull-out shelves, drawer organizers, lazy Susans, trash pull-outs, and decorative molding all add to the cost but enhance functionality.
- Design Fees: If you hire a kitchen designer, their fees will be an additional expense.
- Delivery Fees: Some cabinet suppliers charge for delivery to your home.
- Taxes: Sales tax will be added to the total purchase price.
The Average Cabinet Cost Per Linear Foot
As mentioned, a useful way to estimate your kitchen cabinet budget is by considering the average cabinet cost per linear foot. This metric helps compare the pricing of different cabinet types and brands.
| Cabinet Type | Average Cost Per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Stock Cabinets | \$75 – \$300 |
| Semi-Custom Cabinets | \$150 – \$800 |
| Custom Cabinets | \$300 – \$1,200+ |
Example: For a kitchen with 20 linear feet of cabinetry:
- Stock Cabinets: \$1,500 – \$6,000
- Semi-Custom Cabinets: \$3,000 – \$16,000
- Custom Cabinets: \$6,000 – \$24,000+
Remember, these are averages, and prices can fluctuate significantly.
Cabinet Refacing Cost: An Alternative to Replacement
If your current cabinet boxes are in good condition but the doors and drawer fronts are outdated or damaged, cabinet refacing can be a cost-effective alternative to full replacement.
- What it Involves: Refacing typically means replacing the doors and drawer fronts with new ones and applying a new veneer or laminate to the exposed cabinet box frames.
- Cost: The cabinet refacing cost is generally about 40-60% of the cost of new custom cabinets. For a typical kitchen, this might range from \$3,000 to \$10,000.
- Pros: Less expensive than new cabinets, faster installation than full replacement, environmentally friendly as it reuses existing cabinet boxes.
- Cons: Limited by the quality of the existing cabinet boxes, less design flexibility compared to custom options.
Planning Your Kitchen Remodel Cabinet Budget
Creating a realistic budget is crucial for a smooth kitchen renovation.
1. Measure Your Kitchen Accurately
Before you even look at cabinets, measure every wall space where cabinets will go. Note the placement of windows, doors, and appliances. This information is vital for getting accurate quotes.
2. Determine Your Budget Range
Decide how much you can realistically spend on cabinets and installation. This will guide your choices between stock, semi-custom, and custom options.
3. Get Multiple Quotes
Don’t settle for the first price you get. Obtain quotes from several cabinet suppliers, manufacturers, and installers. Compare not just the price but also the quality of materials, warranty, and reputation.
4. Factor in Hidden Costs
Always add a buffer (10-20%) to your budget for unexpected expenses that can arise during any renovation project.
5. Prioritize What Matters Most
Are you looking for the highest quality materials? A specific aesthetic? Or the most cost-effective solution? Knowing your priorities will help you allocate your budget effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Cabinets
Q1: What’s the difference between ready-to-assemble (RTA) and pre-assembled cabinets?
Ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets come flat-packed and require assembly by the homeowner or a professional. They are typically the most affordable option. Pre-assembled cabinets come already put together, saving you assembly time and effort, but they are usually more expensive.
Q2: How much does cabinet hardware add to the total cost?
Cabinet hardware prices can range from \$2 to \$20+ per piece. For a kitchen with around 30-40 doors and drawers, this could add \$60 to over \$800 to your overall budget.
Q3: Can I save money by installing cabinets myself?
Yes, you can save on labor costs by installing cabinets yourself, especially if you choose stock or RTA cabinets. However, improper installation can lead to problems down the line. If you’re not experienced, it might be worth paying for professional cabinet installation costs to ensure a quality finish.
Q4: What are the most durable cabinet materials?
Solid wood, particularly hardwoods like maple, oak, and hickory, is generally considered the most durable material for cabinet doors and frames. For cabinet boxes, high-quality plywood is also very durable and resistant to moisture.
Q5: How long does it take to get custom kitchen cabinets?
Custom kitchen cabinets can take anywhere from 6 to 16 weeks or longer from the order date to installation, depending on the complexity of the design, the manufacturer’s backlog, and the availability of materials.
Q6: What’s included in the “per linear foot” cost?
Typically, the “per linear foot” cost includes the cabinet box, doors, drawer fronts, and basic interior shelving or drawers. It usually does not include hardware, hinges, specialized accessories (like pull-outs), delivery, or installation unless specified by the supplier.
Q7: Is cabinet refacing a good option for older kitchens?
Cabinet refacing can be an excellent option for older kitchens if the existing cabinet boxes are structurally sound. It’s a cost-effective way to update the look of your kitchen without the expense and disruption of a full gut renovation.
By thoroughly researching your options and carefully planning your kitchen remodel cabinet budget, you can select kitchen cabinets that are both beautiful and functional for years to come.