Kitchen and bathroom cabinets can be one of the most expensive parts of a remodeling project. The cost of cabinets depends on several factors, including the type of material, door style, finish options and installation. When budgeting for new cabinets, it helps to understand pricing on a per linear foot basis. Here is an overview of average costs and what impacts the price.
Average Cost Per Linear Foot for Cabinets
The average cost for new cabinetry runs $100 to $300 per linear foot. This varies based on the type of material and door style.
- Stock or semi-custom cabinets – $100 to $200 per linear foot. Stock cabinets are pre-fabricated in standard sizes. Semi-custom offers some customizable options like color and door style. These budget-friendly options are typically made of cheaper materials like laminates.
- Custom cabinets – $200 to $300 per linear foot. Fully customized options with higher-end woods, finishes and storage details. These are best for complex layouts or luxury designs.
Other factors like door style, material grade, hardware finish and delivery/installation costs also impact the final price.
Factors That Impact the Cost of Cabinets
Many details go into cabinet construction and installation. Here are some main factors that impact the per linear foot cost:
Cabinet Material
The base material affects both durability and price.
- Plywood – Most affordable option. Typically used for painted cabinetry. Prone to swelling and warping with moisture. $75-$150 per linear foot.
- Medium density fiberboard (MDF) – Composite wood product. Stable material good for painted finishes. Lacks moisture resistance. $100-$200 per linear foot.
- Particleboard – Made from wood byproducts. Prone to expansion and chipping. Best for short-term use. $50-$140 per foot.
- Solid hardwood – Highest quality option like oak, cherry or maple. Durable and moisture-resistant. $200-$500+ per linear foot.
- Engineered woods – Manufactured products like plywood with a hardwood veneer. Provides durability at a lower cost. $150-$350 per linear foot.
The grade of the wood also impacts pricing. Higher grades have fewer natural flaws and cost more.
Cabinet Door Style
Door style influences cost in a few ways:
- Simple slab doors – A flat panel attached to a frame. Lower costs around $100-$200 per linear foot.
- Shaker style – A flat center panel bordered by a frame. Clean and minimalist look. $150-$250 per foot.
- Raised panel doors – Have a center panel that sits higher than the surrounding frame. Elaborate detail costs $200-$300 on average.
- Glass cabinet doors – Doors contain glass inserts. Higher material costs run $250-$400+ per linear foot.
More elaborate door details require additional steps in construction and finishing too. This gets reflected in the pricing.
Type of Cabinet Finish
Another big factor is the type of finish on the cabinet boxes and doors. Options range from basic stains to specialty paints and glazes.
- Unfinished wood – Requires site finishing. Saves on labor costs. Approximately $100-$150 per linear foot.
- Stained wood – Sealed with stain for color. Mid-range pricing of $150-$250 per foot.
- Painted finishes – Coated with colored paints or glazes. Trendy option costing $200-$300 on average.
- Specialty finishes – Unique treatments like distressed or crackled paint. Adds $100+ per linear foot.
The number of finish coats and labor for sanding/prepping also impacts cost. Fancy techniques require more steps and expense.
Hardware Selections
While small, hardware finishes and styles contribute to the overall look. Basic hardware may run as little as $2 per drawer/door. High-end options with special finishes can cost $20 or more per piece. Opting for soft-close hinges will increase costs too. When pricing a kitchen, allocate $20-$100 per linear foot for hardware.
Delivery and Installation
Finally, account for delivery fees and installation labor. Local cabinet companies typically charge $100-$150 for delivery. Installation costs range from $50-$100 per hour. An experienced installer may charge $150-$250 per foot. This covers positioning, leveling, anchoring, adjustments and cleanup. Built-in specialty storage features also take more time and labor.
Cost to Install Different Types of Cabinets
Here is a closer look at price ranges for specific cabinetry styles:
Stock Cabinets
Stock or ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets offer the most budget-friendly option. These mass-produced cabinets come in standard sizing. Materials are made of lower-cost woods and laminates. Stock cabinets range from $80 to $150 per linear foot.
Pros: Affordable, available in many home improvement stores, quick DIY installation
Cons: Limited sizes and configurations, cheaper materials, shorter lifespan
Stock cabinets work best for small or simple kitchen layouts on a tight budget. Limitations in sizing and accessories may make them less suitable for larger, customized projects.
Semi-Custom Cabinets
A step up from stock, semi-custom cabinets offer some size flexibility and door style options. Expect to pay $150 to $250 per linear foot.
Pros: More sizes and layouts available, good mid-range quality, fast production time
Cons: Still uses some cheaper materials, limited customization, may need pro installation
Semi-custom strikes a good balance for nice upgrades at moderate prices. The streamlined options keep costs down but allow for some personalization.
Custom Cabinets
Fully customized cabinetry offers high-end materials and specialty features. Made to your exact specifications, expect to pay $250 to $500+ per linear foot.
Pros: Endless customization, quality hardwoods, intricate details, tailored layout
Cons: Long lead times, higher costs, extensive installation time, specialist required
For contemporary spaces or ornate traditional styles, custom cabinetry gives you the most flexibility. Unique storage solutions and luxury details come at a price.
Cost Breakdown of Kitchen Cabinetry
To budget for a full kitchen, it helps to break down costs into different components:
- Base cabinets – Foundations of the kitchen storing larger items. Typical cost $100-$300 per linear foot.
- Wall cabinets – Storage along walls for dishes and dry goods. Average $50-$200 per linear foot.
- Island and peninsula – Extra storage space and seating. $200-$500 per linear foot.
- Specialty cabinets – Custom pieces like lazy susans or corner storage. $500-$2,000+ each.
- Countertops – Material and fabrication averages $40-$100 per linear foot.
- Backsplash – Tile or accent walls cost $5-$50 per square foot.
- Hardware and accessories – Knobs, pulls, trays etc. range from $20-$100 per linear foot.
- Delivery and installation – Typically $150-$250 per linear foot.
Add up costs for each component based on your cabinet linear footage and door counts. Also factor in any demolition, new lighting or flooring.
Cost to Reface vs Replace Cabinets
If your existing cabinets are structurally sound, refacing them offers big savings. Refacing costs about 50% less than full replacement, averaging $150 to $400 per linear foot.
With refacing, the cabinet boxes stay in place. Old doors and hardware get removed. New veneers and doors attach directly onto the frames. This transforms the look for a fraction of the price.
Replacing cabinets means a full teardown and installation of new boxes. You gain complete flexibility in layout and features. But the higher material and labor costs make this pricier.
Evaluate the state of your current cabinets before deciding on replacement or refacing. Refacing won’t work with rotted boxes or severe water damage. But minor repairs along with resurfacing can extend their life considerably.
Cost to Install Cabinets by Type
Here is an overview of typical costs for different cabinet installation projects:
- Small galley kitchen (10 linear ft) – $1,000 to $3,000
- Apartment kitchen (~25 linear ft) – $2,500 to $7,500
- Full kitchen remodel (40+ linear ft) – $4,000 to $12,000+
- Bathroom vanity (8 linear ft) – $800 to $2,400
- Laundry or utility room (~15 linear ft) – $1,500 to $4,500
- Butler’s pantry or wet bar (~30 linear ft) – $3,000 to $9,000
Actual costs depend on factors like cabinet grade, custom add-ons and regional labor rates. High-end designer kitchens could run $30,000 or more. Simple DIY bathroom upgrades may cost under $1,000.
Get quotes from at least 3 contractors to compare rates in your area. Be sure to factor in demolition, any repairs, and extras like molding or under-cabinet lighting too.
cabinet cost per linear foot by material
Here’s a breakdown of the typical per foot pricing based on cabinet material:
- Melamine – $50-90 per linear foot
- Laminate – $70-120 per linear foot
- Thermofoil – $80-140 per linear foot
- Wood veneer – $100-200 per linear foot
- Solid wood – $200-500+ per linear foot
Melamine and laminate products offer the most budget-friendly options, while solid wood tops the high end of the spectrum. RTA (ready-to-assemble) stock cabinets are commonly made from melamine and laminate materials.
Cost Per Linear Foot for Specific Cabinet Types
To estimate costs for your project, here are typical per foot prices for common cabinet types:
- Base cabinets – $100-$300 per linear foot
- Wall cabinets – $80-$200 per linear foot
- Tall Pantry cabinet – $250-$600 each
- Lazy susan – $250-$500 each
- Island – $200-$500 per linear foot
- Peninsula – $150-$400 per linear foot
- Bath vanity cabinet – $150-$400 per linear foot
- Built-in desk – $200-$600 per linear foot
- Media console/entertainment center – $300-$800 per linear foot
Get quotes for your exact cabinet layout and material selections. Complex projects with higher-end finishes will fall at the top of these ranges.
What to Expect to Pay for New Cabinets
Here are ballpark costs for new cabinets in a 10×10 kitchen:
- Stock cabinets – $2,000 – $4,000
- Semi-custom cabinets – $5,000 – $7,500
- Custom cabinets – $8,000 – $15,000+
With stock cabinets from home improvement stores, expect to pay around $100 per linear foot. Semi-custom cabinets from local shops run closer to $200-$300 per linear foot. Fully customized cabinetry can exceed $500 per linear foot.
Costs also depend on factors like:
- Door style – slab, shaker, raised panel, glass
- Finish – painted, stained, glazed, distressed
- Hardware – knobs, pulls, soft-close hinges
- Specialty storage – lazy susans, spice drawers
When requesting estimates, provide room dimensions, drawings, and your desired materials and features.
DIY vs Hiring a Professional
Installing cabinets yourself can save on labor, but has some limitations:
DIY pros:
- Cost savings, especially with stock cabinets
- Sense of accomplishment
- More control over the project
DIY cons:
- Learning curve with new skills
- Increased chance of installation mistakes
- Lack of specialty tools and warehouse access
- Easier for smaller projects
Hiring a professional ensures proper installation, but comes with added costs:
Pros for hiring a contractor:
- Expertise with complex layouts
- Access to wholesale pricing
- Higher quality result
- Limited liability protections
Cons for hiring out:
- Added design fees and markups
- Higher labor costs
- Less flexibility and control
Evaluate your skill level, budget and how customized the project will be. Simple stock cabinet installs can work for DIY. But intricate layouts are best left to the pros.
Cabinets: DIY vs Professional Installation
Deciding between a DIY cabinet installation or hiring a professional comes down to a few key considerations:
Budget – DIY is less expensive, saving on labor costs. But mistakes can get costly. Hiring a pro costs more upfront but prevents expensive errors.
Skill level – DIY is feasible for handier homeowners. But experience with carpentry and finishing work is required. Novices are better off hiring a cabinet specialist.
Project scale – DIY is great for small installations like a laundry room. But tackling a whole kitchen or elaborate layout is best left to contractors who can handle the complexity.
Quality concerns – An amateur DIY job may have inconsistencies or flaws in fit and finish. A pro will deliver superior fit, finish, durability and functionality.
Access to products – DIYers are limited to big box store inventory. Pros have wholesale warehouse access to many more brands, styles and price points.
Assess your specific project requirements when deciding between DIY or hiring it out. Consider how much time you want to commit as well. An experienced pro can install a kitchen in a few days, whereas a DIY job may take weeks.
Hiring a Cabinet Installer
Here are some tips for finding and hiring a quality cabinet installer:
- Get contractor referrals from friends, realtors or home stores. Search online reviews too.
- Verify necessary licenses, insurance and bonding.
- Ask about their cabinetry experience and brands worked with. Look for 5+ years of experience.
- Request 3-5 project references and check out recent work in person.
- Get a detailed written estimate outlining scope, products, time frame and warranty.
- Choose a certified installer for specialty cabinetry like European brands.
- Clarify any restrictions – some won’t work with customer-supplied materials.
- Avoid paying 100% upfront. Stick to a deposit of 30-50% to ensure satisfactory completion.
- Understand timing challenges. Custom cabinetry can take 8-12+ weeks to produce and deliver.
Doing homework upfront ensures you select a qualified pro for the best end result.
Trends That Impact Cabinet Costs
Several trends influence the cost of new and replacement cabinets:
- Rise of semi-custom – The mid-range options strike a nice balance between customization and cost.semi-custom lines have expanded dramatically at big box stores and local suppliers.
- Shaker style prominence – The simple shaker look remains popular. These flat recessed panels offer a clean, classic look. Easy for DIY projects.
- Painted finishes – White, gray and pastel painted cabinets keep gaining favor over stained wood. Provides a light and airy feel.
- Mixing materials – Using different materials like painted cabinets up top and stained on the bottom adds contrast.
- Contrasting colors/textures – Mixing gloss and matte surfaces and integrating bold painted islands or accents is on trend.
- Open shelving – Eliminating upper cabinets for a more modern, open look. Requires careful storage planning.
- Smart functionality – Custom pull-outs, angled drawers, specialty organizers improve ergonomics and access.
- Sustainability – Eco-friendly options like formaldehyde-free materials. And modifying existing cabinets rather than replacing.
- Unique shapes and arrangements – Curved cabinets, irregular layouts and asymmetric placements add interest.
Cabinet Installation Cost Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate the cost to install new cabinets in your kitchen, bathroom or other space:
- Measure the total linear footage of cabinets needed.
- Multiply by your estimated cost per linear foot (typically $100-$300 per foot).
- Add estimated costs for:
- Cabinet hardware – $20-$100 per foot
- Countertop fabrication/installation – $40-$100 per foot
- Delivery fees – $50-$150
- Demolition of old cabinets – $50-$100 per foot
- Any repairs or modifications
- Your desired profit margin if installing for a client
This will provide a rough estimate for budgeting purposes. Get final quotes from at least 3 vendors based on your exact project specifications.
Cabinets FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions about cabinet installation costs:
How much do basic kitchen cabinets cost?
Basic stock cabinets cost $50-$200 per foot. A typical 10×10 kitchen would be around $2,000-$4,000. Semi-custom runs $150-$300 per foot or $5,000-$10,000 for a 10×10 space.
How much should I budget for a kitchen remodel?
A minor kitchen update costs $5,000-$15,000. A full remodel of cabinets, flooring, countertops and appliances averages $20,000-$60,000. High-end luxury kitchens can exceed $100,000 with premium features.
Can I install cabinets myself?
With proper skills, stock cabinets are DIY-friendly for smaller areas like a laundry room. But installing a full kitchen requires carpentry and finishing expertise best left to the pros. Poor DIY cabinet installs often need professional corrections.
How do I choose a cabinet installer?
Search online reviews and ask for referrals from home stores and remodelers. Check qualifications like certification and insurance