Written by
Kristen Cramer
Edited by
Sarah Noel
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa
Average kitchen cabinets cost
The average cost of kitchen cabinets is $150 to $500 per linear foot installed or $4,500 to $15,000 total, including labor and materials. New kitchen cabinet prices depend on the style, size, material, and the choice of stock, semi-custom, or custom cabinets.
| Kitchen size | Square footage | Stock or semi-custom cabinets cost | Custom cabinets cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small kitchen | 70 – 100 | $3,000 – $12,000 | $12,000 – $20,000 |
| Average kitchen | 100 – 200 | $4,500 – $15,000 | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Large kitchen | 200+ | $6,000 – $20,000+ | $18,000 – $36,000+ |
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Kitchen cabinet installation costs per linear foot depend on the material quality and whether they are stock or custom models.
| Type | Cost per cabinet* | Cost per linear foot* | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock / RTA cabinets | $220 – $500 | $100 – $400 | Low to good |
| Semi-custom cabinets | $250 – $850 | $150 – $700 | Low to great |
| Custom cabinets | $600 – $1,600+ | $500 – $1,200 | Good to great |
*Including materials and installation.
RTA / Prefab / stock kitchen cabinet prices
Stock kitchen cabinets cost $100 to $400 per linear foot or $220 to $500 per box installed. Stock kitchen cabinets are pre-built units and come in limited sizes and styles.
Ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets come in pieces in a flat pack, with all holes pre-drilled in cabinet doors, boxes, and drawers. RTA cabinets are best for DIY in-home assembly.
Semi-custom cabinets cost
Semi-custom cabinets cost $150 to $700 per linear foot or $250 to $850 per box installed. Semi-custom cabinets come in a wider variety of styles and finishes with more customization options than stock cabinets.
Custom kitchen cabinets prices
Custom cabinets cost $500 to $1,200 per linear foot on average or $600 to $1,600+ per box installed. High-end custom cabinets are designed and constructed specifically for the kitchen's unique shape and layout.
Custom cabinets are ideal for kitchens with an irregular shape or tricky layout.
Labor cost to install kitchen cabinets
The labor cost to install kitchen cabinets is $40 to $80 per hour or $50 to $300 per linear foot, depending on the cabinet type. Labor charges vary according to the kitchen layout and the cabinet size, height, and material.
| Factor | Stock (per linear foot) | Semi-custom (per linear foot) | Custom (per linear foot) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials and hardware | $50 – $280 | $75 – $550 | $300 – $900 |
| Installation labor | $50 – $120 | $75 – $150 | $200 – $300 |
| Total cost | $100 – $400 | $150 – $700 | $500 – $1,200 |
Other cabinet cost factors include:
Material – Plywood cabinets with solid wood doors typically cost more than laminate or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) cabinets.
Cabinet height – Costs increase by 10% or more for ceiling-height cabinets.
Cabinet design & features – A base cabinet with three drawers typically costs more than one with a single drawer and a cabinet door beneath it. Cabinets with glass doors, tall pantry cabinets, sink base cabinets, and roll-out cabinets also increase the cost.
Trim & molding – Crown molding costs $210 to $570 with installation.
Measurement fees – Some installers charge $50 to $150 to perform in-home measurements.
Old cabinet removal – The cost to remove old cabinets is $300 to $600. However, many contractors include old cabinet removal in their installation labor estimate.
Appliance installation – New kitchen appliances cost $2,500 to $6,800 for a complete set with installation.
Permits – Kitchen remodeling permits cost $500 to $1,500, depending on the project size.
Cost of new kitchen cabinets by size & design
The following table shows cabinet costs by kitchen size and cabinet size.
| Kitchen size | Cabinet linear feet | Stock or semi-custom cabinets cost | Custom cabinets cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8'x8' | 12 – 16 | $1,800 – $8,000 | $9,000 – $20,000 |
| 10'x10' | 20 – 22 | $3,000 – $11,000 | $10,000 – $26,500 |
| 10'x12' | 22 – 25 | $3,300 – $12,500 | $11,000 – $30,000 |
| 12'x12' | 25 – 30 | $3,800 – $15,000 | $12,500 – $32,000 |
| 15'x15' | 30 – 40 | $4,500 – $20,000 | $15,000 – $36,000 |
| 20'x20' | 40 – 50 | $6,000 – $25,000 | $20,000 – $40,000+ |
*Costs including cabinets and installation.
Kitchen cabinet designs & overlay
A cabinet overlay is the portion of the door on top of or "overlapping" the cabinet frame when closed. The three overlay types are:
Partial overlay / framed – The cabinet frame is visible around the edges of each door and in the small gap between sets of doors.
Full overlay / frameless – The doors completely cover the cabinet face frame, with no gap between the doors or around the edges. Frameless or full overlay cabinets cost 20% to 50% more than framed cabinets.
Inset – The doors are set flush within the inside edge of the opening. Inset cabinets cost up to twice as much as framed cabinets.
Kitchen cabinet door costs & styles
Replacing cabinet doors costs $2,200 to $6,600 total on average, depending on the size, material, style, and finish.
Popular cabinet door styles include:
Slab / flat – A flat panel without decoration for a contemporary, minimalist look.
Shaker – A recessed-panel style door with a simple raised frame featuring no beveling or detail.
Beadboard / beaded – A center panel with vertical lines or grooves cut into the wood, creating a tongue-and-groove appearance.
Raised panel – A door with a thicker, raised center panel that tapers to a raised frame, creating a square or arched design.
Recessed panel – A large, flat center panel surrounded by a raised frame of four boards or bevels.
Mullion – A glass-front door with a grid of wood braces dividing the glass panel into window-like panes.
Open frame – A door with a single glass center panel and no mullions.
Louvered – A door with a center panel of angled horizontal slats that allow air to pass through for improved ventilation.
How tall, wide, and deep are kitchen cabinet sizes?
| Cabinet type | Height | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base cabinet | 34.5"* | 12" – 48" | 21" – 24"* |
| Wall cabinet | 12"– 42" | 12" – 42" | 12" – 24" |
| Tall cabinet | 84", 90", or 96" | 18" – 36" | 12" – 24" |
| Filler cabinet | 34.5" | 6" – 9" | 21" – 24" |
*Not including the countertop.
Base cabinets are installed on the floor. The countertop rests on top of them, adding 1.0" to 1.5" in height and 1" to 2" in depth.
Base cabinets typically feature shelves or drawers, while wall cabinets feature shelves only.
Wall cabinets 12" tall typically go above a refrigerator, range hood, or built-in microwave.
Tall cabinets are typically best for pantries.
Narrow 6" to 9" filler cabinets go in gaps next to an oven or between other cabinets. Filler cabinets may feature a pull-out spice rack or organizer. However, some installers use matching pieces of finished wood to fill gaps instead.
Cost to install cabinet hardware
The cost to install cabinet hardware is $6 to $60 per piece, including labor and materials. New cabinet hardware costs $1 to $30 per piece for most materials and up to $200 each for handles made of high-end metals like copper and zinc alloy.
Choose new handles that match the existing hole spacing to minimize labor costs.
Kitchen installation accessories cost
The table below shows additional prices for extra cabinet features:
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| Accessory or add-on | Average cost installed |
|---|---|
| Pull-out trash/recycling can cabinet | $200 – $450+ |
| Pull-out spice rack cabinet | $200 – $500+ |
| Lazy Susan corner storage | $200 – $600+ |
| Blind corner cabinet pull-out organizer | $300 – $1,000 |
| Tray / pan dividers | $100 – $300 |
| Pegged drawer organizer | $100 – $300 |
| Appliance / mixer lift | $200 – $400 |
| Wine rack / cradle | $100 – $400 |
| Tilt-out below-sink organizer | $100 – $300 |
| Under-cabinet lighting | $200 – $350 per fixture |
Cost to replace kitchen cabinets
Replacing vs. refacing vs. refinishing kitchen cabinets
Full kitchen cabinet replacements are the most expensive but necessary for structural damages, while refinishing cabinets by staining them is the cheapest option.
| Service | Average cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Full cabinet replacement | $4,500 – $15,000 |
|
| Cabinet refacing cost | $5,000 – $13,000 |
|
| Cabinet refinishing cost | $1,500 – $4,500 |
|
| Cabinet painting cost | $2,000 – $6,500 |
|
| Cabinet door replacement cost | $2,200 – $6,600 |
|
IKEA, Home Depot, & Lowe's cabinet installation costs
Home improvement stores offer cabinets with installation services and discounted delivery rates, depending on your location. Costs vary from the cheapest stock models to higher prices for custom ones.
| Retailer | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| IKEA kitchen cabinets cost | $3,000 – $6,500 |
| Home Depot | $5,000 – $20,000+ |
| Lowe's | $4,000 – $20,000+ |
*Including cabinets & installation.
Kitchen cabinetry FAQs
What is the cheapest way to replace kitchen cabinets?
The cheapest kitchen cabinets are basic stock cabinets in low-budget synthetic materials, which start at $60 to $70 per linear foot installed.
To save money on cabinet replacement, consider ordering directly from a discount cabinet supplier online.
How long does it take to install kitchen cabinets?
Installing kitchen cabinets takes 2 to 5 days for small kitchens or up to 10 to 14 days for larger kitchens. Allow another month or more for ordering custom cabinets.
When should I replace my kitchen cabinets?
Replace your kitchen cabinets if the interior is no longer structurally sound or if you want to change the kitchen's layout.
Kitchen cabinet repairs cost $120 to $600 on average. Consider repairs instead of replacement for cabinet boxes that need simple fixes like a new bottom panel or hinges.
Who installs kitchen cabinets?
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Hire an experienced cabinet installation contractor or handyman to install kitchen cabinets. For custom cabinets, look for a carpentry professional.
IKEA, Home Depot, and Lowe's also work with their own networks of professional cabinet installers.
Getting estimates & quotes from kitchen cabinet installers
When hiring a kitchen cabinet installer near you, be sure to:
Get at least three estimates with comparable materials.
Select licensed, bonded, and insured companies with 5+ years of experience.
Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Have a professional installer complete the measurements in person.
Get a detailed contract and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Avoid selecting the lowest quote that may signal poor-quality materials or workmanship.
Never pay in full before the project starts.
Questions to ask
How many cabinet installation projects have you worked on?
Can you provide references with contact information?
Do you have a portfolio of before-and-after photos I can review?
Do you charge a fee for in-home measurements? If so, is it applied to the installation cost?
Should I replace, refinish, or reface my cabinets, and why?
Does the estimate include new hardware?
Does the estimate include old cabinet removal, disposal, and cleanup?
How long will the project take?
Can I stay in my home during the project?
Do you offer a warranty, and if so, what does it include?
