Custom cabinets can transform the look and feel of any kitchen or bathroom. With endless design possibilities, custom cabinets allow you to create a space that perfectly suits your needs and style. However, custom work does come at a price. On average, expect to spend $100 to $200 per linear foot for high-quality custom cabinets installed. But many factors impact the final cost per foot. Read on to learn what goes into pricing custom cabinets and how to get the look you want while staying within your budget.
What Are Custom Cabinets?
Custom cabinets are built specifically for your kitchen or bathroom layout and design. A cabinet maker will construct them to fit your space perfectly, rather than relying on standard cabinet sizes. Customization allows you to:
- Choose the cabinet’s dimensions, shape, and interior configurations
- Select the materials like wood species, finishes, and hardware
- Incorporate specialty storage and organizational features
- Match existing cabinets or architectural details
- Accommodate plumbing, appliances, sloped ceilings and other unique aspects of your home
Since they are made to order, custom cabinets provide a fully personalized look. You can opt for ultra-modern styling with sleek lines, go for a timeless Shaker-style aesthetic, or achieve a completely one-of-a-kind design. Custom work is ideal if you want your kitchen or bath to have a built-in, bespoke appearance.
Factors That Determine the Cost of Custom Cabinets
Numerous factors impact the total expense of custom cabinets on a per linear foot basis. Key considerations include:
Type of Wood
The wood species used to construct the cabinet boxes and doors significantly influences cost. Durable domestic hardwoods like maple, cherry, and oak tend to be the most budget-friendly. Exotic imported woods like mahogany and walnut cost more. Softwoods like pine are cheapest, but durability and longevity may be compromised.
Grade of Wood
Custom cabinet components like doors and face frames come in different grades that affect price. Knotty pine is the most affordable. For a step up in quality without a huge price jump, A-grade plywood with minimal knotholes and blemishes is a good option. Clear pine or maple that is free of defects costs more but gives a seamless appearance.
Finish and Glaze
How the wood is finished also impacts the overall price per linear foot. A clear sealer is the most economical choice. Stain costs a bit more but provides richer color. Painted finishes run the gamut from affordable acrylics to luxury polyurethanes in custom colors. Add a decorative glaze over stain or paint and the price rises further. Hand-rubbed and distressed finishes are generally the most expensive.
Door Style and Materials
Standard slab cabinet doors are the most affordable option. Custom doors with decorative routings, carvings, inlays, bevels or inserts cost more. Pricing also depends on the door material itself. Solid wood doors are generally the highest grade but have the steepest price. Plywood and MDF doors with a veneer facing are a more economical choice that still provide a quality appearance.
Drawers and Interior Fittings
The complexity of the cabinet’s storage design affects the per foot cost as well. Standard cabinets with fixed shelves are generally the lowest price point. The addition of drawers, roll-out trays, storage compartments, split shelves, wine racks and other interior fittings adds expense. Expect to pay more for cabinets with features like soft-close hinges and drawers.
Hardware
Cabinet hardware like knobs, pulls, and hinges contribute to the overall custom cabinet spend. Opt for basic, factory-grade hardware to help keep project costs down. Picking more ornate, heavy-duty hardware or using special soft-close mechanisms increases the price per linear foot. Using hardware finishes that match your faucets and light fixtures provides nice continuity but also boosts the budget.
Construction
How the cabinets are constructed also determines cost per foot. Frameless cabinet construction where doors attach directly to the box sides is generally the most affordable. Face frame construction with a border around the cabinet box adds more material and labor costs. Features like dovetail joinery and solid wood frames increase durability but also push up the price point.
Cost Per Linear Foot for Custom Cabinets by Type
To give you a better idea of price ranges, here are approximate costs per linear foot for some of the most common types of custom cabinets:
- Stock cabinets – $50 to $100 per linear foot
- Constructed of plywood boxes with birch or maple veneer
- MDF or hardwood doors with laminate or thermofoil finishes
- Limited size and layout options
- Semi-custom cabinets – $100 to $200 per linear foot
- Plywood or solid wood boxes
- Variety of door styles and finishes like stained maple or painted MDF
- Some customization of sizing possible
- Handcrafted custom cabinets – $200 to $800 per linear foot
- Dovetail joinery with solid wood face frames
- Exotic or imported woods
- Unique doors with carvings, inlays, multi-step finishes
- Fully customized sizing and storage options
- Designer cabinets – $500 to $1,500+ per linear foot
- Highly exclusive woods like mahogany or walnut
- Elaborate hand-carved details
- Italian-style lacquer, French polish, or exotic veneers
- Bespoke construction and storage solutions
Cost Per Foot for Custom Cabinets by Room
Pricing for custom cabinets may also vary from room to room depending on the factors unique to each space:
Kitchen Custom Cabinets
The most used cabinets in the home, kitchen cabinetry requires excellent durability and storage. Expect costs for high-quality kitchen cabinets to range from $150 to $300 per linear foot. Unique storage fittings, appliance garages, custom drawer dividers, pull-out shelving and other specialty options may increase kitchen cabinet costs to the higher end of this range.
Bathroom Custom Cabinets
Smaller in scale than kitchens, bathrooms still require customized storage. Custom bathroom vanities cost $200 to $400 per linear foot on average. Curved cabinets, medicine cabinets, custom drawers and rollout accessories also add expense in bathrooms. Water-resistant finishes may be needed in shower areas, increasing costs $25+ more per foot.
Laundry Room Custom Cabinets
For laundry room cabinetry, expect to spend $100 to $200 per linear foot. Requirements like ventilation, plumbing access, and storage for laundry essentials add cost. Sturdy finishes that can withstand moisture and dents are also ideal in this high-traffic space.
Home Office Custom Cabinets
In home offices, custom cabinetry provides personalized storage and workspaces. The average cost is $150 to $250 per linear foot. Built-in desk areas with specialized drawers, filing cabinets, shelving and paper storage can increase costs. Adapting cabinets around existing window or doorway placements also adds labor time and expense.
Additional Cost Considerations
Beyond the per linear foot price, there are a few other factors that impact the total expense of new custom cabinetry:
- Installation: Expect to pay an additional $50 to $100 per linear foot for professional installation. Complex designs or challenging site conditions increase installation costs.
- Modifications: Alterations to existing cabinetry to match new custom work average $100 to $200 per opening. Cost rises with complexity of renovation.
- Shipping: For high-end designer brands or imported materials, shipping expenses may add $100+ per cabinet.
- Designer fees: Using a kitchen or bath designer averages 10-20% of total project cost, including both design time and drawing preparation.
Costs Savings Tips
To maximize your budget for this significant investment, keep these cost-saving tips in mind:
- Use a economy wood species like poplar or maple for the cabinet interiors and sides. Reserve pricier woods for visible door fronts and frames.
- Opt for plywood over solid wood for cabinet boxes. Look for furniture-grade plywood with veneer cores for durability at a value price.
- Choose standard slab door fronts and avoid ornate decorative details like inlays or carvings.
- Specify durable laminates over pricier natural stone countertops to pair with your new cabinets.
- Install cabinets yourself to save on labor. If hiring a contractor, get multiple quotes to compare pricing.
- Work with stock cabinet sizes whenever possible to minimize customization costs.
- Set a priority for which cabinetry you want customized in key areas like the kitchen sink or bathroom vanity. Use stock sizes in less visible spots.
- Shop online retailers that offer quality cabinets at discounted prices compared to local stores.
- Time projects for sales. Many cabinet suppliers offer discounts seasonally or for overstock inventory.
- Opt for medium-grade hardware and fixtures. Fancy hardware looks luxe but significantly boosts cost.
- Choose environmentally friendly finishes like low- or no-VOC stains and paints to save on finishing labor costs.
Achieving the Custom Look Affordably
The wide range of pricing for custom cabinets may seem daunting. But focusing your customization priorities wisely allows you to tailor your space beautifully while working within your budget. Carefully review what custom elements would have the biggest impact in your kitchen or bath. Then deploy your customization dollars strategically to those areas to get the most design bang for your buck. With smart planning and savvy shopping, you can successfully balance cost and the custom style you desire.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Cabinet Costs
Many homeowners have additional questions about what impacts the pricing of their custom cabinetry. Here are answers to some of the most common queries:
What is the most expensive part of custom cabinets?
The materials used in construction are generally the biggest driver of cost for custom cabinets. Opting for rare imported woods rather than domestic species can exponentially increase the price per linear foot. But details like hand-carved ornamentation, beveled glass, and precious metal inlays also boost the price significantly.Labor-intensive finishing techniques like distressing or rub-through glazing also add cost for custom work.
Are custom cabinets cheaper than semi-custom?
No, custom cabinets typically cost more per linear foot than semi-custom designs. Because they are built fully to your specifications, custom cabinets require more specialized materials and construction techniques that increase expenses. With semi-custom cabinets, you still get some size and layout personalization but choose from a range of preset design options to keep costs down.
How much should I spend on kitchen cabinets?
A good rule of thumb is to budget 10-15% of your total kitchen remodel cost for cabinetry. For a moderately priced kitchen remodel, expect to spend $8,000 to $14,000 on cabinets. In a higher-end kitchen with premium custom cabinetry, that number could reach $30,000+ or 15-25% of the total project budget.
What is the most cost effective cabinet material?
Plywood box construction provides the best value for cabinetry. Opt for furniture-grade plywood over particleboard or lower-quality materials. For visible surfaces, hardwood veneers create a seamless and durable finish at a reasonable cost. Solid woods cost more and do not improve structural integrity.
Can I get a cabinet discount?
Taking advantage of seasonal sales, overstocks, and clearance events are good ways to save on cabinets. Shopping online wholesalers can provide 25% or more off retail prices. Buy unfinished cabinets and have them painted on site for savings on finishes. Building relationships with local cabinet makers may allow you to negotiate pricing as well.
Conclusion
Custom cabinetry allows you to create your dream kitchen, bath or any living space tailored specifically to your needs. With an average cost ranging from $100 to $200 per linear foot, it is an investment. But by focusing customization strategically, choosing affordable materials for hidden areas, and shopping sales, you can build custom cabinetry that fits your lifestyle and budget beautifully. Partnering with experienced kitchen and bath designers ensures you receive durable, high-quality custom cabinets that will enhance your home for years to come.