Kitchen cabinets represent a significant investment when remodeling or building a new kitchen. The cost of new cabinets can vary dramatically based on the style, materials, size and features selected. When budgeting for a kitchen remodel, the cabinets often account for approximately 40% of the total project cost. Understanding what impacts the price of kitchen cabinets can help homeowners plan and budget appropriately.
Factors That Influence Cabinet Pricing
Several key factors determine the cost of kitchen cabinets:
Cabinet Quality and Materials
The quality of materials and construction has a direct impact on cost. Plywood boxes with solid wood doors and drawers will cost more than particle board boxes with veneer overlays. Here are some of the most common kitchen cabinet materials, listed from least to most expensive:
- Thermofoil: This is an inexpensive material made from vinyl or PVC plastic adhered to medium density fiberboard (MDF). The plastic coating is durable and resists scratches. Thermofoil cabinets are available in many colors but lack texture and depth.
- Laminate: Laminate cabinets consist of a plastic laminate coating over a particle board or MDF substrate. More affordable than solid wood, laminate comes in numerous colors and patterns. The laminate may peel or warp over time.
- Wood veneer: These doors have a thin layer of real wood adhered over a particle board core. The veneer provides an attractive wood look at a lower cost than solid wood. Durability and quality can vary.
- Melamine: A resin-impregnated paper coating applied to particle board or MDF creates a splash resistant, easy-to-clean surface. Melamine interiors are common in ready-to-assemble cabinets. The finish is prone to chipping over time.
- Painted wood: Painted finishes have grown in popularity for cost savings over stained wood while providing color options. Less expensive painted cabinets often use a lower quality wood underneath, such as poplar rather than maple.
- Stained wood: Stained wood cabinets provide a warm, high-end look. Different wood species have their own unique grains and colors, ranging from the common oak to premium choices like cherry, maple, hickory and alder.
- Engineered wood: Many manufacturers use engineered wood composed of plywood and solid wood to construct cabinet boxes while reducing costs compared to all-solid wood construction. Features like dovetail joinery add strength.
- Solid Wood: All-solid wood construction provides the highest quality and durability. Choices like Alder and Cherry cost more than Oak but provide attractive grains and stability. Custom-built cabinets typically utilize solid woods.
Higher quality woods, durable finishes and sturdy joinery come at a premium cost but also deliver greater longevity. Weighing budget with lifetime value can help strike the right balance.
Construction and Features
In addition to materials, the construction and features included will impact the price. Carefully constructed cabinet boxes, upgrades like soft-close hinges and pull-out shelves or rollouts, and custom storage solutions will increase costs. Considerations include:
- Cabinet style: Full overlay, inset, etc. Inset cabinets are more intricate to construct and will be pricier than overlay cabinetry.
- Drawer construction: Dovetail joinery is stronger than staples or glue. Full extension glides enable full access to drawers.
- Adjustable shelves. Shelves that can be added or removed to customize storage.
- Warranty: Better warranties provide more coverage over a longer time. Lifetime warranties offer the highest quality.
- Soft-close features: Doors and drawers with soft-close hinges and glides ensure smooth, quiet operation.
- Inner cabinet hardware: Spice racks, cutlery dividers, pull-out baskets and other storage additions increase usefulness but also cost.
- Glass cabinet doors: Glass doors on wall or base cabinets require more handiwork and customization.
- Crown molding: Adding crown molding across the tops of cabinets finishes the look with increased labor and materials.
- Lighting: Under cabinet lights, LED strips and other lighting integrates seamlessly but comes with a price tag.
Consider how features like these fit with your needs and style preferences to guide smart choices that provide utility without unnecessary expense.
Cabinet Door Style
Beyond materials and construction, the door style makes a difference. Customized door designs, cutouts and more intricate details raise the overall cost. Here are some examples, ranging from simple to more complex design:
- Slab cabinet doors: A simple, single flat panel made of plywood or MDF. Most affordable option.
- Shaker style doors: A flat center panel bordered by a frame provides a clean, versatile look. Modest cost increase from slab.
- Raised panel doors: Center wood panel is profiled for dimension and depth. Increased material and shaping adds cost.
- Cathedral style doors: A series of arches carved along the door profile require specialized tooling and handwork to create, increasing costs substantially.
- Inset doors: Doors fit inside the cabinet face rather than over it, requiring precise sizing and gaps, adding labor expense.
- Mullion doors: Glass panes or panels subdivide the cabinet doors into smaller sections, complicated construction.
The more intricate the door design, the higher the price tag. Slab or Shaker style doors help keep project budgets in check.
Cabinet Brand
The brand and manufacturer chosen makes a significant difference in price. Well known brands like KraftMaid, Thomasville, and Kemper are positioned as premium offerings with higher quality materials, construction and features that command top dollar.
At the same time, every major home improvement retailer has their own proprietary value-oriented house brands designed to provide very affordable options. Homeowners on a strict budget may opt for house brand cabinets from Home Depot, Lowe’s or IKEA to save substantially.
Smaller semi-custom manufacturers also populate the middle ground, offering greater customization and quality at moderate prices compared to full custom cabinetry. Investigating options across brands can uncover ways to balance affordability and quality based on your own needs and tastes. Consider both product and brand reputation.
Location
Regional variables impact material and labor pricing for cabinets. Cost of living and average home values directly relate to the cost of a kitchen remodel. Higher demand cabinetry companies can also command more competitive rates in certain metro areas.
Location should be factored when creating a kitchen cabinet budget. Expect to pay more for comparable projects in places like San Francisco, New York and Seattle versus Nashville, Charlotte and Orlando. Sourcing quotes from local companies is the best way to gauge regional pricing.
Order Volume and Scope
Ordering cabinets for an entire kitchen allows manufacturers and dealers to offer their best pricing. The more cabinets purchased, the lower the per unit cost will be with the benefit of volume discounts. Small orders of just a few cabinets or pieces will not get any type of discount or deal.
Additionally, mixing and matching between various brands or suppliers will eliminate any breaks on pricing. Limiting the scope to one vendor solution helps maximize value. Bundling cabinetry, countertops and other kitchen purchases into a single package can also leverage more bargaining power.
Cost by Cabinet Type
With an understanding of what impacts pricing, we can now look at typical price ranges based on the type of kitchen cabinet required.
Stock Cabinets
Stock cabinets are pre-configured cabinets mass produced in standard box and door sizes. Stock cabinets are typically the most affordable option but offer the least flexibility in terms of customization.
- Particle board stock cabinets range $75 – $200 per linear foot
- Mid-range plywood boxes with veneer doors run $200 – $350 per linear foot.
- High end all-wood or stain grade stock cabinets cost $350 – $550 per linear foot.
This calculates to approximately $150 – $300 per single stock cabinet. Expect to pay towards the higher end for upper cabinets due to the additional materials required.
Stock cabinets in painted finishes will hit the lower price points, while custom glazes, stains and other upgrades add cost. Specialty storage and organization features also increase price when added to stock cabinet solutions.
Semi-Custom Cabinets
Semi-custom cabinets provide homeowners ability to modify sizing, materials, finishes and layout compared to stock cabinetry while balancing cost. Pre-configured cabinet boxes are paired with customized doors and faces for a hybrid approach merging customization with affordability.
Plywood construction semi-custom cabinets range from $250 – $500 per linear foot depending on materials and features selected. All-wood boxes and high end finishes scale from $500 on up per linear foot.
Per cabinet pricing falls around $300 – $600 for semi-custom installations. The range in price highlights the impact of quality of materials and complexity of door styles.
Custom Cabinets
Fully customized cabinets precision-built to your specifications allow for unlimited options for layout, storage, features and styling. The sky is the limit for high end kitchen designs utilizing solid woods, hand-finished details, intricate inset construction and premium hardware.
As a result, custom cabinetry occupies the highest pricing tier:
- Basic plywood construction custom cabinets start around $400 per linear foot up to $700 per linear foot.
- All-solid wood custom cabinets range from $700 – $1,500 per linear foot depending on wood species and level of detailing.
- Elaborate custom designs with carvings, inlays, and exotic materials can easily exceed $1,500 per linear foot.
The average cost per single custom cabinet typically spans $600 – $1,200 depending on the features and materials used. The most expensive custom kitchens cost tens of thousands in cabinetry alone.
Estimating Total Costs
While the per unit pricing above provides a general sense of cost, most homeowners benefit from an estimate of total project cost for the entire kitchen. Total costs account for the kitchen footprint, number of cabinets required, budget range selected and more.
Here are sample total budget ranges for small, medium and large kitchens across good-better-best cabinetry solutions:
Small Kitchen (8×10 layout or 80 sq ft)
- Good: Stock cabinets $2,500 – $4,000
- Better: Semi-Custom $5,000 – $7,500
- Best: Custom $8,000 – $12,000+
Medium Kitchen (10×15 layout or 150 sq ft)
- Good: Stock cabinets $4,500 – $7,000
- Better: Semi-Custom $7,500 – $12,000
- Best: Custom $12,000 – $20,000+
Large Kitchen (15×20 layout or 300 sq ft)
- Good: Stock cabinets $7,000 – $11,000
- Better: Semi-Custom $12,000 – $18,000
- Best: Custom $20,000 – $40,000+
These budget estimates demonstrate how your total spend can vary dramatically based on kitchen size, product selections and investment level. Quality custom cabinetry for a larger kitchen can quickly approach the cost of a luxury car!
Understanding your own needs and willingness to pay for quality while shopping with reputable local cabinet companies will lead to the best result for your budget.
Saving on Cabinet Costs
For homeowners looking to curb costs, here are some tips that can help balance budget with value when purchasing kitchen cabinets:
- Compare several brands and suppliers to find the best deals and negotiate pricing. Avoid getting fixated on one product line only.
- Narrow choices to 1-2 cabinet brands maximum to qualify for volume discounts by placing one large order.
- Select stock or semi-custom lines over fully custom for cost savings. Limit customizations to key areas only like a focal island.
- Keep door styles simple. Go with slab, Shaker or basic raised panel over heavily ornate doors.
- Choose durable laminates and veneers over solid wood if cost is a major factor. Prioritize plywood box construction.
- Take advantage of DIY assembly to avoid installer labor fees on cabinetry.
- Set up your own job site delivery rather than white glove delivery services.
- Purchase during seasonal sales events or discontinued closeout deals to score marked down pricing.
- Consider used cabinets from cabinet resale shops, auctions or salvage companies to save substantially. Refinishing or painting freshens them up.
Your builder, designer or kitchen remodeler should also have creative suggestions to deliver the look you want while keeping cabinets affordable. Discuss goals openly to develop smart solutions together.
With some savvy shopping and strategic compromises, you can cut costs without sacrificing too much style or quality. Carefully assess which elements make the biggest impact for you. Splurging in one area then saving in others often leads to the optimal balance.
DIY vs Hiring a Professional
Installing new kitchen cabinets requires significant skill, time and effort. While a committed DIYer can tackle the project to save on labor, many complications can arise. Mistakes, incomplete knowledge of building codes, permit requirements, demolition and disposal challenges can all turn a DIY into a nightmare.
Hiring a competent contractor to remove old cabinets, install new ones properly, adjust for any structural issues, pull permits and handle all project management is well worth the cost for most homeowners. Leaving it to the experts alleviates the burden and stress considerably.
Kitchen pros have the experience to complete cabinet installations efficiently while avoiding common pitfalls. The difference in cost from a professional versus DIY is relatively minor when factored across the entire project budget. Spending a bit more to ensure quality results and peace of mind is worthwhile for such an important investment.
Key Takeaways
- Quality of materials, construction and features make a major impact on kitchen cabinet costs, with all-solid wood and heavy customization at the top end.
- Door style and species of wood also determine pricing, with simple slab doors the most affordable and ornate custom designs the most expensive
- Stock cabinets provide the best value, semi-custom offers some customization at moderate cost, and fully custom cabinets provide ultimate design flexibility at a premium
- For total project cost, small kitchens can be outfitted starting around $3,000 on the low end, with large luxury kitchens approaching $40,000 or more
- Careful shopping, strategic compromises and special deals can help reduce costs without sacrificing your vision
- Hiring a professional for installation is highly recommended to ensure proper fit and function and simplify the process
Investing in quality kitchen cabinets improves functionality and visual appeal for years to come. Determining your budget, needs and style preferences ahead of time makes the buying process smooth and successful no matter what you spend. With some thoughtful planning and savvy decision making, beautiful new cabinets can be within reach!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions homeowners have about the cost of kitchen cabinets:
How much do cabinets cost for a 10×10 kitchen?
For a small 100 square foot kitchen with budget-friendly stock cabinets, expect to pay around $2,500 – $4,000. Semi-custom cabinets would run $5,000 – $7,500, while custom cabinetry spans $8,000 – $12,000 or more.
What is the most affordable cabinet option?
Stock cabinets from home improvement store brands provide the most affordable cabinetry, with prices starting as low as $75 – $150 per cabinet. Particle board boxes with laminate doors offer value.
What are the most expensive cabinets?
Fully customized all-wood cabinets with premium finishes and features are the most expensive. Luxury upgrades like inset doors, integrated lighting, pull-outs and solid wood can quickly escalate costs to $1,500 or more per custom cabinet.
Is it cheaper to buy cabinets online?
Purchasing cabinets online eliminates the showroom overhead and sales commissions. Large online sellers like Cabinets.com pass those savings to the customer with discounted pricing. Be sure to order samples to inspect quality first.
Should I assemble kitchen cabinets myself?
DIY assembly of Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) cabinets purchased online or at home centers can yield big savings. However, the process is complicated and risks damaging components or improper installation if directions aren’t followed perfectly. Consider skill level before taking the DIY route.
What are the most cost effective cabinets?
Stock cabinets provide the best value, but selecting durable plywood boxes with veneer or laminate doors hits a good balance of quality and cost-effectiveness for many homeowners. Focus spend on functional base cabinets and save on uppers.
How much should I budget for a kitchen remodel?
A full kitchen remodel with new appliances, countertops andsink can range from $20,000 – $50,000+. Allocate 35-50% of total budget for cabinetry based on the scope selected. Semi-custom cabinetry and minor layout changes help balance cost for many homeowners.
Should I pay more for brands like KraftMaid and KitchenAid?
The higher prices of big cabinet brands reflect quality materials, durable finishes, sturdy construction and smooth functionality. Weighing lifetime value against cost merits spending more if the budget allows.
What hidden costs should I plan for?
Consider expenses like new lighting, modifying electrical and plumbing, countertop fabrication, appliance delivery fees and installation. Cabinet extras like roll outs, organizers and trim boost cost. Leaving wiggle room in the budget prevents going over.
Conclusion
The cost of kitchen cabinets can make a big dent in your remodel budget. But like all major home investments, focusing on quality over cost alone delivers the best long term value. Understanding what impacts pricing empowers you to invest wisely in solutions that meet your needs and taste. With some thoughtful planning and smart shopping, it is possible to get the gorgeous new kitchen of your dreams while staying on budget!