Looking to renovate your kitchen or bathroom? Custom cabinets can transform the look and feel of a space, adding high-end style, functionality, and value to your home. But custom cabinetry does come at a price. So how much do custom cabinets cost per linear foot? Read on for a detailed overview of custom cabinet pricing, considerations, and ways to get the look you want while staying within your budget.
What Impacts the Cost of Custom Cabinets?
Several factors influence the cost per linear foot of custom cabinets, including:
Materials
The type of material used is one of the biggest determinants of price. Options range from affordable to luxury:
- Plywood or Melamine: The most budget-friendly choice, plywood or melamine cabinets cost $50-$150 per linear foot.
- Wood Species: Mid-range solid wood species like oak, maple, and cherry run $150-$300 per linear foot.
- Exotic Woods: Luxury woods like walnut, mahogany, and alder can cost $300-$500 per linear foot or more.
- Laminates: High-pressure laminates applied to particleboard cost $100-$250 per foot.
- Thermofoil: A plastic laminate thermally fused to medium density fiberboard costs $100-$300 per linear foot.
Door Styles
Simple slab cabinet doors are the most affordable option. More complex door designs add cost:
- Slab: $50-$150 per linear foot
- Shaker: $100-$250 per linear foot
- Raised Panel: $150-$350 per linear foot
- Inset Panel: $200-$400 per linear foot
- Glass Insert: $300+ per linear foot
Finish and Hardware
The finishing process and hardware selections also impact price:
- Stain: $50-$150 per linear foot
- Paint: $100-$250 per linear foot
- Glaze/Distressing: $150-$300 per linear foot
- Knobs/Pulls: $25-$50 per knob/pull
- Soft-Close Features: $50-$100 per drawer/door
Labor
For full-custom cabinets, expert carpentry and installation is required, adding labor costs of $150+ per hour. Factory-made semi-custom cabinets have lower assembly and installation costs factored in.
Brand
Higher-end designer or boutique cabinetry brands charge more for their products and name/reputation. Stock or semi-custom mass-produced lines are most affordable.
Average Costs: Stock vs. Semi-Custom vs. Custom
With so many variables at play, average costs can vary greatly. Here’s an overview of price ranges for stock, semi-custom, and fully custom cabinetry:
Stock Cabinets
The most affordable option, stock cabinets are pre-fabricated and standardized. Prices typically run:$50-$250 per linear foot.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Quick installation
Cons:
- Limited sizes and configurations
- Less customization
Best For: Budget kitchen or bath remodels
Semi-Custom Cabinets
Offering some customization, semi-custom cabinets are partially pre-fabricated. Prices run:$150-$400 per linear foot.
Pros:
- More sizes and layouts
- Some personalized options
- Faster than full custom
Cons:
- Less flexibility than full custom
- Higher cost than stock
Best For: Mid-range kitchen and bath projects
Custom Cabinets
Fully customized and hand-crafted. Prices range: $250-$800+ per linear foot
Pros:
- Fully personalized designs
- Premium materials available
- Unique options like built-ins
Cons:
- Most expensive option
- Long lead times
Best For: High-end remodels and luxury projects
As you can see, there is significant overlap in pricing between stock, semi-custom, and custom. The quality of materials and workmanship makes a big impact as well.
Factors That Increase Custom Cabinetry Costs
Several options can raise the price per linear foot of custom cabinets:
- Exotic Woods: Using luxurious materials like mahogany or imported woods adds cost quickly.
- Thick Drawers: Standard 1⁄2 inch drawers are affordable, while 1-inch+ thick, full-extension soft-close drawers add luxury and expense.
- Glass Doors: Etched, leaded, or beveled glass insert doors add intricacy and cost.
- Custom Embellishments: Details like crown molding, corbels, appliques, fluted columns, and more add custom flair for $$$.
- Interior Fittings: Roll-outs, glass dividers, butcher block inserts, spice racks and more increase usefulness—and price per foot.
- Technology Integrations: Features like charging stations, lighting, outlets, and AV/smart home integrations come at a premium.
- Convenience Add-Ons: Soft-close doors and drawers, self-closing hinges, and pull-out shelves boost convenience and cost.
- Accessibility Options: Specialized cabinetry for mobility needs adds customized functionality but also significant expense.
- Green Design: Using sustainable/eco-friendly materials like bamboo or formaldehyde-free finishes adds ecological benefits and cost.
Being strategic about splurges versus cost-savings can help balance your budget and wishlist when designing luxe custom cabinets.
Cost Savings Tips for Custom Cabinets
If your dream custom cabinetry is beyond your budget, all hope is not lost. Here are smart ways to reduce costs while still getting high-end style:
- Mix stock and custom: Use stock for filler areas and custom for main visual zones.
- Order semi-custom: Opt for a hybrid approach for better value than 100% custom.
- Ask about sales: Dealers may discount overstock or discontinued styles/finishes.
- Use economical core materials: Choose plywood over solid wood for cabinet boxes to save.
- Standard sizes: Avoid oddball custom sizes that waste materials and drive up expense.
- Simple door styles: Shaker or slab doors cost less than ornate raised panel or inset designs.
- Skip adjustments: Make existing cabinetry fit instead of paying for modifications.
- DIY install: Save on labor by installing pre-assembled cabinetry yourself.
- Provide your own hardware: Opt for affordable hardware from a home improvement store.
- Limit luxury touches: Apply exotic wood or glass fronts strategically rather than throughout.
- Buy locally: Working with a small local woodshop can offer pricing advantages.
With smart design choices and budget stretching tactics, you can achieve beautiful custom cabinets tailored to your space even with cost constraints.
How Much Do Specific Custom Cabinet Projects Cost?
To give you a better idea of real-world custom cabinet pricing, here are estimated costs for a few common kitchen and bath projects:
Small Galley Kitchen (10 linear feet total)
Project includes:
- Demolition and removal of old cabinets
- Installation of new custom wall and base cabinets
- Mid-range woods and laminates
- Shaker-style doors
- Local shop fabrication and installation
Estimated Cost: $1,500-$4,000
Cost per linear foot = $150-$400
Large Luxe Kitchen (50 linear feet total)
Project includes:
- Removal of previous cabinetry
- Built-in pantry, island, and media center walls
- Exotic imported woods throughout
- Intricate raised panel doors with distressing
- Glass cabinet fronts
- Soft-close drawers and doors
- Commercial grade installation
Estimated Cost: $20,000-$60,000
Cost per linear foot = $400-$1,200
Primary Bathroom Vanity (8 linear feet)
Project includes:
- Demo of previous vanity
- Custom double vanity installation
- Quartz countertops with undermount sinks
- Wood veneer cabinets
- Mirrored medicine cabinets
- Matching freestanding linen tower
Estimated Cost: $2,500-$7,000
Cost per linear foot = $312-$875
As shown, you can expect to invest $100s per linear foot for even small custom cabinetry projects. For high-end, expansive installations with luxury finishes, costs can easily escalate to $1,000+ per foot. Being strategic about where you splurge and save can help balance aesthetics, functionality, and budget when designing your perfect custom cabinetry.
Cabinet Installation Costs
Beyond the cabinetry itself, installation is a significant portion of your total investment. Cabinets require precision carpentry and expertise to fit and function properly. Typical professional installation costs around $150-$200 per linear foot.
This includes:
- Removal of old cabinets
- Preparing and leveling installation surface
- Securing and hanging new cabinetry
- Making final adjustments and touch ups
If tackling cabinet installation yourself, factor in costs for:
- Dump fees to remove old cabinets, $50-$150+
- Tools like levels, nail guns, saws, drills
- Materials such as shims, screws, and adhesives
- A helping hand for lifting/holding cabinets in place
While DIY installation can save substantially on labor, the complexity often yields poor results best left to the professionals. Investing in skilled installers typically yields cabinets that look better and operate as intended.
Custom Cabinet Cost Per Square Foot
In addition to pricing per linear foot, custom cabinets may also be estimated by the square foot. This accounts for vertical space like tall wall cabinets.
On average, expect to pay $100-$500 per square foot for custom cabinets depending on materials, features, brand, and more. Ultra high-end custom cabinetry can exceed $1,000 per square foot installed.
To determine square footage:
- Measure the total linear footage of your cabinets.
- Measure cabinet heights and multiply by linear feet for each height.
- Add all linear heights together to get total square footage.
- Multiply square footage by your desired price per square foot range.
This will give you an approximate cost estimate to use for budgeting your custom cabinet installation.
Saving on Custom Cabinets Without Sacrificing Style
Custom cabinetry brings tremendous value and appeal to kitchen and bath design. But reaching your desired look and staying within budget can be tricky. With smart design choices and strategic splurges, you can cut costs without sacrificing personal style and customization.
Focus investment in areas where cabinets make the biggest visual impact and suit functionality needs. Get creative mixing stock, semi-custom, and custom pieces tailored to each space. Take advantage of sales, markdowns, and buying direct from smaller shops whenever possible. Consider doing prep work and install yourself to save substantially on labor—if you’re up for the challenge.
With the right approach and careful planning, you can curate custom cabinetry to suit your home, lifestyle and budget. Enjoy the personalized style and functionality custom cabinets offer as you cook, entertain and live in luxury.