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What Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost? + Tips To Stay in Budget
By: Andrew Saladino | 
8 min
Last Updated: May 12th, 2024
The cost of kitchen cabinets can range anywhere from $2,000 to $40,000, with the average cost landing in the $4,500 to $15,000 range. Your kitchen cabinets are a big factor in your kitchen renovation, but they don't have to take up the majority of your project's budget. By lowering the cost of your cabinetry, you can spend more on countertops, backsplashes, or flooring.
A good rule of thumb is to dedicate 40% of your overall remodeling budget to your kitchen cabinets. Unsure what you can afford? We break down the average kitchen cabinet costs by cabinet type to help you find the perfect option for your space and budget.
| Cabinet Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Stock or RTA Cabinets | $2,000 |
| Stock or Pre-Assembled Kitchen Cabinets | $4,000 |
| Stock or Semi-Custom Cabinets | $6,000 |
| Semi-Custom Cabinets | $9,000 |
| Custom Cabinets | $20,000+ |
Factors To Consider When Calculating Kitchen Cabinet Prices
Wondering why prices vary so widely? Kitchen cupboard costs are affected by factors such as materials, custom modifications, labor, and even where you live. As you browse for the perfect cabinets to match your style and needs, keep these factors in mind to stay within budget. Let's take a look at how each of these factors impacts the final cost of your new kitchen cabinets.
Type
Stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets are the three main types of cabinets to consider when planning your remodel. Whether you save money with stock cabinets or splurge on custom, be sure the cabinets you choose fit your style, storage, and durability needs. You don't have to sacrifice quality to find the perfect, on-budget option for your space.
STOCK CABINETS
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SEMI-CUSTOM CABINETS
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CUSTOM CABINETS
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Stock Cabinets: Stock cabinets are an affordable option for homeowners looking to save money on labor costs during their kitchen renovation. Ready-to-assemble (RTA) stock cabinets are shipped to you in flat boxes and require assembly, while pre-assembled cabinets arrive ready to install. You'll save on shipping costs with the RTA option, but you need to make sure you have the proper time and tools for assembly and installation.
- Average cost for stock cabinets: $100 - 400 per linear foot
Semi-Custom Cabinets: Semi-custom cabinets are a mid-priced option typically manufactured in standard sizes, styles, and finishes. However, they offer more options for customization and added detail compared to stock cabinets.
- Average cost for semi-custom cabinets: $150-$700 per linear foot
Custom Cabinets: Custom cabinetry is just like it sounds - it's designed, built, and installed to fit your unique space. Typically, a designer will help you establish a layout and allow you to choose the type of cabinet, style, material, and any accessories from there.
- Average cost for custom cabinets: $500-$1,200 per linear foot
Style
There are a variety of cabinet door styles available to complement your kitchen design. The nine main styles include:
- Shaker: cabinets with recessed panels
- Slab: flat and frameless cabinets
- Cathedral Raised: cabinets with a raised arch design with curving lines
- Square Raised: cabinets with raised panels the same shape as the cabinet itself
- Mullion: cabinets with moldings that divide an open frame
- Open Frame: cabinets with a single glass pane insert
- Arch Raised: cabinets with a raised arch design
- Louvered: cabinets with fixed, horizontal slats
- Beadboard: cabinets with small ridges between vertical planks
Typically, the more complex the style, the more expensive the cabinets. Slab cabinets are the cheapest to manufacture given their minimalist design, while intricate cathedral raised and louvered cabinets are the most expensive.
Lastly, you will likely want to customize and accessorize your brand-new cabinets! Consider mixing in accessories like roll-out trays, decor legs, toe kicks, or valances and personalizing the cabinet hardware. These little details can add character and function to your cabinets.
Kitchen Size
The size of your kitchen plays a significant role in your total kitchen cabinet cost - the larger your kitchen, the more you'll need to budget for cabinets.
Cabinet prices are typically calculated per linear foot. The average cost of stock or semi-custom cabinets ranges between $150 to $700 per linear foot, while custom cabinets can cost as much as $1,200 per linear foot. With those numbers, you can conclude a typical 10x10 kitchen with 20 to 25 linear feet of cabinetry will run anywhere from $2,000 to $25,000.
If you have a small kitchen (70 square feet or less), you'll end up spending between $1,700 to $20,000 on cabinets. With the money you'll inevitably save on cabinets, consider maximizing your storage with creative solutions like pull-out pantries, lazy Susans, and built-in compartments.
Material
Cabinets are typically made from wood or wood-based materials including hardwood, plywood, medium density fiberboard (MDF), particle board, wood veneer, and stainless steel. Depending on the type and quality of material you choose, your cabinet costs may increase.
| Material | Average Cost for a 10x10 Kitchen |
|---|---|
| Wood Veneer | $2,500-$6,000 |
| MDF | $1,500-$5,000 |
| Plywood | $2,500-$8,000 |
| Solid Wood | $5,000-$25,000 |
If you're on a budget, wood alternatives, such as particle board or plywood, will always be the more affordable option when compared to real hardwood. Cabinet prices range depending on the wood type, like oak, maple, birch, hickory, pine, cherry, MDF, or bamboo.
Ordering cabinet door samples is one of the easiest ways to test out the quality and look of a cabinet. Browse our online cabinet gallery and order up to three samples to help you decide what will work best in your space.
Or, you can fill out our simple design service form, and our team of National Kitchen & Bath Association-certified designers will help you create the perfect kitchen layout and itemized list at no charge.
Finish
If you're envisioning one-of-a-kind statement cabinets, opting for custom colors and finishes may be worth the additional price. Lacquer, natural wood finishes, paint color, mixed wood tones, and stains are all examples of cabinet finishes that will affect the overall cost, design, and durability of your cabinets.
If custom finishes seem a bit out of price range - fear not. Many stock and semi-custom cabinets are available in colors and finishes that can impress even the trendiest interior designer. You can also opt for unfinished cupboards to paint or stain yourself to save money on labor costs without compromising on your unique style.
Labor and Installation
The average cost of labor to install kitchen cabinets, according to HomeGuide, is between $50 and $300 per linear foot. Here's a quick look at the labor costs you can expect when undergoing a kitchen cabinet rehaul:
- Cabinet installer: $40-$80 per hour
- Cabinet removal and disposal: $300-$600 flat rate
- Molding: $210-$570 flat rate
If you decide on stock cabinets, the cost of installation typically equals the cost of the cabinets themselves. Hiring a handyperson might be cheaper than a professional designer, but could cost much more if it doesn't turn out as you hoped.
If you enjoy a DIY project, you'll save big on costs, but this will require extra time and commitment. And, again, if you make mistakes, you could end up paying more for a professional to fix them.
How To Save Money on Kitchen Cabinets
Whether you're budgeting for a kitchen remodel or simply looking to replace outdated cupboards, kitchen cabinet costs can quickly add up. With so many materials, finishes, hardware, and styles to choose from, you can easily spend more than originally planned. Here are a few tips to save money and stay on budget for your kitchen cabinet costs.
- Use ready-to-assemble or pre-assembled cabinets to save on labor, product, and shipping costs.
- Opt for unfinished cabinets and paint or stain them yourself to save on labor costs while still achieving a custom feel.
- Pick an affordable material, like MDF, wood veneer, or laminate. If solid wood doors are a must, consider more budget-friendly options like red oak or alder.
- Prioritize your add-ons. Stick with add-ons that are necessary to improve the functionality of your kitchen. You can always add more features later.
- Pick simple door styles, like slab or shaker cabinets. These cabinets match virtually every decor and never go out of style.
- Install fewer drawers if you're willing to sacrifice some functionality for cost. Standard base cabinets are the more cost-effective option.
- Skip the soft close drawers and try door pulls instead. These will help preserve your cabinet fronts if you're worried about them being slammed (and save you a few hundred dollars).
- Consider open-shelving cabinets in place of wall cabinets. Yes, open shelves offer less storage space and are more maintenance, but they can save you thousands of dollars.
Before purchasing your cabinets, make a list of features you won't compromise on. For example, if you have children or pets, durability may be a priority. When you know what you need, it'll be easier to realize what you can live without.
Kitchen Cabinet Kings Pricing
Below, you'll find the average prices for several kitchen designs featuring some of our most popular cabinets. You may be surprised to find that you can achieve your desired style for far less than you imagined. Our certified designers reviewed these kitchen designs to give you a close estimate of cabinet costs for each.
Imperial Blue Cabinets ($2,415 avg. price for 10x10 kitchen): If you want to make a statement with colored cabinets, consider keeping the rest of your color scheme neutral so your cabinets are the first thing that draws attention.
Ice White Shaker Cabinets ($2,169 avg. price for 10x10 kitchen): Simple white cabinets offer the flexibility to play with different shades in your backsplash, countertops, and decor.
Petit Sand Cabinets ($2,169 avg. price for 10x10 kitchen): Contrast chic light cabinet tones with darker hardware for a relaxed style that looks great in a variety of interior styles, like this laid back, yet modern kitchen.
Shaker Gray Cabinets ($2,339 avg. price for 10x10 kitchen): Gray cabinets are a classic choice that matches every decor style. To achieve an effortlessly sophisticated look, pair these with clean, white countertops and fun statement lighting.
Pearl Cabinets ($2,229 avg. price for 10x10 kitchen): An off-white finish and mocha highlights add intricacy to a farmhouse look without darkening the room.
Kitchen Cabinet Costs FAQs
Need some help deciding which cabinets are right for you? Here's a breakdown of the most frequently asked kitchen cabinet price questions.
How do I estimate the cost of kitchen cabinets?
Kitchen cabinets can range from $150 to $500 per linear foot, depending on the cabinet type, materials, and if they are stock or custom. Most often, cabinets will run in the $4,500 to $15,000 range, all costs considered.
What is a good budget for kitchen cabinets?
Your kitchen cabinet budget will depend on your kitchen size, cabinet type, material, style, and finish you'd like to incorporate into your design. If you're planning a full kitchen remodel, expect to budget about 40% of your renovation costs toward removing and installing new cabinets.
How much is a standard kitchen cabinet?
Stock cabinets typically cost between $100 and $400 per linear foot, depending on the style of the cabinet and the material used.
How much do cabinets cost for a 10x10 kitchen?
A typical 10x10 kitchen with 20 to 22 linear feet of cabinetry will run between $3,000 and $26,500.
Find the Perfect Kitchen Cabinets To Match Your Style and Budget
Whether you're partial to simple, modern design or grand traditional finishes, our RTA and pre-assembled kitchen cabinet options offer both style and durability at a fraction of the cost. Visit our kitchen cabinet gallery to inspire your kitchen design mood board or work with our designers to help create your dream kitchen.
