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How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost?

Last Updated: January 13, 2022

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One of the most dominant features of the kitchen is the cabinetry, and many homeowners embarking on a kitchen redesign focus on cabinets as a project linchpin. In fact, kitchen cabinets typically represent around 50 percent of the total budget of a kitchen remodel. This buying guide aims to help you maximize your investment on new kitchen cabinets by explaining important purchasing considerations and offering basic pricing information.

Kitchen Cabinet Considerations #

Stock vs. Custom vs. Semi-Custom #

Stock cabinets, though they're the cheapest option for homeowners, don't offer much in the way of options. They come in standard sizes and designs and generally, what you see on the store shelf is what you get.

On the other end of the spectrum are custom kitchen cabinets, the most expensive and best-fitting types of cabinet. With these cabinets, which are built off-site in a workshop or on-site, your options are limited only by your imagination. The budget for these cabinets, too, can be nearly unlimited: in some cases, they cost as much as a new car. As a compromise between stock and custom cabinets, consider semi-custom kitchen cabinets. These models allow homeowners to upgrade cabinets through made-to-order custom options such as size, materials, finish, and accessories.

Options #

Even stock cabinets offer a good deal of options between one product line and the next, and if you're thinking of installing semi-custom or custom cabinets, your options are virtually limitless. Some cabinet features to focus on include:

  • Specialty Cabinets: In addition to a kitchen's base cabinetry, there are a host of specialty installations that cater to a homeowner's individual needs, such as spice and wine racks, roll trays, cutting boards, lazy susans, pull out trashcans, recycling centers, and a chef's pantry.
  • Materials and Construction: What cabinets are made of and how they're made can make the difference between cabinets that look good for a few years then fall apart and those that retain their beauty for decades. Genuine hardwood is king, of course, in terms of looks and performance, but comes with a hefty price tag. Veneer and wood imitation plastic, though cheaper, tend to crack and peel over time, and will eventually need to be re-stained. To get an idea of a cabinet's quality, carefully inspect the construction of the cabinet box, door, drawers, and shelves.
  • Hardware: Drawer guides shouldn't be an afterthought, as they affect overall quality, while hinges, knobs, pulls, and backplates all contribute to your overarching kitchen décor.

Kitchen Cabinet Average Costs #

The actual cost of kitchen cabinets may vary depending on the type and number of models installed, the addition of countertops and other options, the local economy, and other factors.

  • For a 25 square foot kitchen, expect to pay $5,000 to $7,500 for stock cabinets, $8,000 to $12,000 for semi-custom cabinets, and $15,000 to $25,000 for custom cabinets.
  • Installation costs can be figured in a number of different ways; the actual method will depend on the company. Some charge hourly rates of anywhere from $50 to $150 or more per hour. Others might bill you by the foot, with $75 to $125 per linear foot being typical. Another popular method is to charge a percentage (usually around 10 to 25 percent) of the total cabinet cost. You may also be charged installation fees based on individual cabinets.

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