What is the average cost for new kitchen cabinets? New kitchen cabinets can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,200 per linear foot, with the national average typically falling between $400 and $800 per linear foot, depending on materials, style, and customization. This guide will help you decipher the many factors influencing kitchen cabinet prices and prepare you for your kitchen remodel budget.
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Deciphering Cabinet Costs: What Influences Your Spend?
When you’re planning a kitchen makeover, the cabinets are often the star of the show, but they can also be one of the biggest expenses. The cost of new kitchen cabinets is not a simple figure; it’s a complex equation influenced by many elements. From the type of wood to the complexity of the design, each choice impacts the final price tag. Let’s break down what goes into those numbers.
Kitchen Cabinet Types and Their Price Points
Not all cabinets are created equal, and this is reflected in their pricing. Understanding the different categories available will help you set realistic expectations for your kitchen remodel budget.
Stock Kitchen Cabinets Cost
Stock cabinets are pre-made and come in a limited range of standard sizes and styles. Think of them as ready-to-wear clothing.
- Pros:
- Most affordable option.
- Widely available and quick to purchase.
- Good for very basic kitchen layouts.
- Cons:
- Limited selection of styles, finishes, and sizes.
- May require fillers or adjustments to fit your space perfectly.
- Less durable construction compared to higher-end options.
- Average Price: $75 – $200 per linear foot.
Semi-Custom Cabinets Price
These cabinets offer a middle ground. They start with a base cabinet structure but allow for more customization in terms of size, material, and finish. They are like off-the-rack suits that can be tailored.
- Pros:
- More design flexibility than stock cabinets.
- Better quality construction and materials.
- Can be ordered in specific sizes to better fit your kitchen.
- Cons:
- More expensive than stock cabinets.
- Longer lead times for production.
- Average Price: $150 – $700 per linear foot.
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Cost
Custom cabinets are built from scratch to your exact specifications. These are the haute couture of cabinetry, designed and built specifically for your kitchen.
- Pros:
- Ultimate flexibility in design, size, material, and finish.
- Can accommodate unique kitchen layouts and architectural features.
- Highest quality construction and materials.
- Can add significant value to your home.
- Cons:
- Most expensive option by a significant margin.
- Longest lead times.
- Requires detailed planning and design input.
- Average Price: $500 – $1,200+ per linear foot.
Cabinet Material Costs: The Foundation of Price
The material used for your cabinets significantly impacts both the look and the cabinet material costs. Different woods have different strengths, grains, and price tags.
Popular Cabinet Wood Types
- Oak: Durable and readily available, oak offers a prominent grain pattern. It’s a classic choice that takes stains well.
- Cost: Mid-range.
- Maple: Known for its smooth, fine grain and light color, maple is very durable and takes stains and paints beautifully, providing a consistent finish.
- Cost: Mid-range to high.
- Cherry: Offers a rich, warm color with a fine, straight grain that darkens with age. It’s a premium wood.
- Cost: High.
- Hickory: One of the hardest domestic woods, hickory has a distinctive grain and color variation, offering a rustic or natural look.
- Cost: High.
- Birch: Similar in appearance to maple but often less expensive, birch is a good choice for painted cabinets due to its smooth surface.
- Cost: Mid-range.
- Pine: Softer than other hardwoods, pine is more prone to dents and scratches but is very affordable and offers a distinct rustic charm, especially when stained.
- Cost: Low to mid-range.
Other Material Considerations
- Plywood: Used for cabinet boxes (carcasses), plywood is generally stronger and more stable than particleboard or MDF, especially in humid environments. Higher-quality plywoods (like Baltic birch) cost more but offer superior durability.
- MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): A manufactured wood product, MDF is smooth and stable, making it an excellent choice for painted cabinet doors and drawer fronts. It’s less expensive than solid wood but can swell if exposed to moisture.
- Particleboard: The least expensive option, particleboard is made from wood chips and resin. It’s less durable and susceptible to moisture damage, making it generally unsuitable for high-quality cabinetry.
Cabinet Styles and Finishes: The Aesthetic Impact
The visual elements of your cabinets play a huge role in their price. The style of the door and drawer fronts, as well as the finish applied, can add or subtract from the overall cost.
Door Styles
- Shaker: A timeless and popular style featuring a recessed center panel and clean lines. Generally more affordable due to its simple construction.
- Slab (Flat Panel): A minimalist and modern style with a completely flat door and drawer front. Simple to produce, often cost-effective.
- Raised Panel: Features a center panel that is raised or profiled, offering a more traditional and ornate look. The added detail increases manufacturing time and cost.
- Recessed Panel: Similar to Shaker but with more decorative profiling on the center panel.
- Beadboard: Features vertical grooves or “beads” for a cottage or farmhouse feel. The grooving adds to production cost.
- Glass-front: Doors with glass inserts can showcase your dishware. The cost depends on the type of glass (clear, frosted, seeded) and the complexity of the frame.
Finishes
- Stain: Enhances the natural beauty of the wood grain. Stains vary in complexity and the number of coats required, affecting cost.
- Paint: Offers a wide range of color options. While generally less expensive than exotic stains, high-quality paints and meticulous application (like multi-layer lacquers) will increase the price.
- Glaze: A secondary color applied over a base coat (stain or paint) and wiped off to highlight details and add depth. Glazing adds labor and material costs.
- Varnish/Lacquer: Clear protective coatings that add durability. High-quality lacquers offer superior protection and a smoother finish but are more expensive.
Hardware: The Finishing Touches
Don’t forget the smaller details! Cabinet hardware prices can add up, especially if you opt for premium handles, knobs, or hinges.
- Knobs and Pulls: These can range from a few dollars for basic metal options to $50 or more for designer pieces made from materials like crystal, leather, or premium metals.
- Hinges and Drawer Slides: While often included in the cabinet price, upgrading to soft-close hinges and full-extension, soft-close drawer slides can significantly improve functionality and durability, but at an increased cost. These premium features are a worthwhile investment for long-term satisfaction.
Installation Costs: The Price of Professional Work
Beyond the cabinets themselves, you need to factor in cabinet installation cost. This is a crucial part of your kitchen remodel budget that ensures your new cabinets are fitted correctly and look their best.
Factors Affecting Installation Costs
- Complexity of the Kitchen Layout: L-shaped or U-shaped kitchens with many corners and angles will take longer to install than a simple straight-line kitchen.
- Removal of Old Cabinets: If your contractor needs to remove and dispose of existing cabinets, this will be an additional charge.
- Wall Preparation: If walls need to be repaired, leveled, or reinforced to support the new cabinets, expect extra costs.
- Plumbing and Electrical: If you are relocating sinks or appliances, you’ll need to hire plumbers and electricians, which adds to the overall project cost.
- Contractor’s Hourly Rate or Project Fee: Rates vary widely based on location, experience, and reputation.
- Geographic Location: Labor costs are generally higher in major metropolitan areas.
Average Installation Costs
The cabinet installation cost can range from $50 to $150 per linear foot or be charged as a percentage of the cabinet materials, typically 15% to 30%. For a full kitchen, this could add anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 or more.
The Cost of Replacing vs. Refacing Cabinets
When you decide it’s time for a kitchen update, you have more options than just buying entirely new cabinets.
Cabinet Replacement Cost
This is the most comprehensive option, involving the removal of your old cabinets and the installation of new ones. As we’ve discussed, this is the most expensive route, but it offers the most significant transformation. The cabinet replacement cost encompasses both the materials and the labor for a complete overhaul.
Cabinet Refacing
Refacing involves keeping your existing cabinet boxes and replacing the doors and drawer fronts, and then covering the exposed cabinet frames with a thin veneer or laminate.
- Pros:
- Significantly less expensive than full replacement.
- Faster installation time.
- Less disruptive to your kitchen.
- Can still provide a dramatically updated look.
- Cons:
- Doesn’t address the interior of the cabinet boxes, which may be dated or worn.
- Limited to the existing cabinet box dimensions.
- Quality can vary depending on the materials and craftsmanship.
- Average Cost: $4,000 – $10,000 for a standard kitchen.
Cabinet Refinishing/Repainting
This is the most budget-friendly option. It involves sanding, priming, and painting or staining your existing cabinets and hardware.
- Pros:
- Most cost-effective.
- Can dramatically change the look of your kitchen.
- Environmentally friendly as it reuses existing materials.
- Cons:
- Labor-intensive if done DIY; professional services can be costly.
- Durability depends heavily on the quality of the prep work and finish.
- Doesn’t change the style or door profiles.
- Average Cost: $1,000 – $4,000 for professional refinishing.
Factors That Drive Up Cabinet Prices
Beyond the basic categories, several specific features can push the cost of new kitchen cabinets higher.
Dovetail Joints
This is a strong, traditional joinery method used for drawers. While it signifies quality, it adds to labor costs.
Full-Extension Drawer Glides
These allow drawers to be pulled out completely, offering better accessibility. Soft-close mechanisms are a premium feature.
Custom Features
- Decorative Moldings: Crown molding, light rail molding, and decorative trim add detail and cost.
- Glass-front Doors: As mentioned, glass inserts and specialized glass types increase the price.
- Specialty Inserts: Pull-out shelves, spice racks, trash pull-outs, and other organizational accessories add convenience but also add to the overall expense.
- Custom Finishes: Multi-step finishes, glazing, and hand-painting techniques require more labor and specialized products.
Cabinet Depth and Height
Standard cabinet depths and heights are usually more cost-effective. Deeper base cabinets or taller wall cabinets may incur additional material costs.
Putting It All Together: Example Kitchen Cost Breakdown
To give you a clearer picture, let’s consider a hypothetical mid-sized kitchen requiring 20 linear feet of cabinetry.
| Cabinet Type | Material | Style | Average Cost Per Linear Foot | Total Cabinet Cost (20 ft) | Installation Cost (25% of Cabinets) | Total Project Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Birch (Painted) | Shaker | $150 | $3,000 | $750 | $3,750 |
| Semi-Custom | Maple (Stained) | Slab | $400 | $8,000 | $2,000 | $10,000 |
| Custom | Cherry | Raised | $800 | $16,000 | $4,000 | $20,000 |
| Custom (Premium) | Walnut | Slab | $1,100 | $22,000 | $5,500 | $27,500 |
Note: These are estimates and can vary significantly based on the factors discussed.
This table illustrates how different choices impact the overall kitchen remodel budget.
Tips for Managing Your Cabinet Budget
- Get Multiple Quotes: Always obtain quotes from several cabinet suppliers and installers.
- Prioritize: Decide which features are most important to you. If budget is tight, perhaps opt for stock or semi-custom cabinets and choose simpler door styles.
- Consider DIY for Certain Tasks: If you’re handy, you might be able to save on installation or simpler tasks like removing old hardware.
- Shop Sales and Promotions: Keep an eye out for seasonal sales or contractor discounts.
- Look at Showroom Samples: Get a feel for the quality and finish of different materials in person.
- Factor in a Contingency: Always add 10-20% to your budget for unforeseen issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinet doors only?
Replacing just the doors and drawer fronts (refacing) can cost between $1,500 and $5,000 for a standard kitchen, depending on the material and style chosen.
Q2: Are custom kitchen cabinets worth the extra cost?
Custom cabinets offer unparalleled design flexibility and quality, which can significantly increase your home’s value and your enjoyment of your kitchen. If your budget allows and you have specific design needs, they can be a worthwhile investment.
Q3: What is the cheapest type of kitchen cabinet?
Stock kitchen cabinets made from particleboard or MDF with simple laminate finishes are typically the least expensive option.
Q4: Does cabinet hardware cost a lot?
Basic cabinet hardware can be inexpensive, costing just a few dollars per piece. However, premium or designer hardware can range from $20 to $100 or more per piece, significantly impacting the overall cabinet hardware prices.
Q5: How long do new kitchen cabinets last?
With proper care and maintenance, good quality cabinets (especially custom or semi-custom made from solid wood or high-quality plywood) can last 20-50 years or even longer.
Q6: What is a linear foot of cabinetry?
A linear foot refers to one foot of cabinet run. For example, a 10-foot long wall of base cabinets would be 10 linear feet. This measurement helps standardize pricing for cabinetry.
Q7: Should I choose stained or painted cabinets?
The choice between stained and painted cabinets depends on your aesthetic preference and the look you want to achieve. Stains highlight the natural wood grain, offering warmth and richness. Paints provide a uniform color and can be a great way to update older wood styles or achieve a modern look, but they can also show wear and tear more readily.
By thoroughly researching your options and planning carefully, you can achieve beautiful and functional new kitchen cabinets without breaking the bank.