Whether you’re considering renovating your kitchen or installing a new one, the overall cost of kitchen cabinets is likely to be your chief concern. Kitchen cabinets determine the appearance and efficiency of your kitchen.
Also, appliances such as dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators are normally joined to kitchen cabinets.
Although installing or updating your kitchen will improve its appearance and usability, it helps to be informed of the average cost of your remodeling project before commencing. Here’s a detailed review of the average cost of kitchen cabinets based on different factors.
The average cost of kitchen cabinets
On average, the cost of kitchen cabinets can range anywhere from $160 to $1,200 per linear foot depending on cabinet design and your choice of materials. Learn more in this in-depth guide.
Pricing Kitchen Cabinets by Design
Designs of kitchen cabinets fall into three camps, which are:
- Framed
- Frameless
- Inset
The cost of the three design layouts varies significantly based on construction, wood, and the project’s size. The most important aspect to consider with your choice of design is whether it’ll complement your existing décor.
1. Framed Cabinets
Over the years, framed cabinets have come to be the most produced type of kitchen cabinets. In this cabinet design, rails and stiles become visible from the front to form a flat frame where the door is attached.
This design is popular with most homeowners since it can be customized to compliment both inset and traditional door styles. On average, framed cabinets will cost you between $5,000 to $20,000.
2. Frameless Cabinets
With frameless cabinets, doors are attached to the cabinet sides but hinges are not visible since they’re connected to the cabinet wall.
Frameless cabinets also lack vertical support in the center to close the doors. This makes them easily accessible and ideal for the storage of wide objects.
Frameless cabinets rely on a heavy box that hangs the doors and hides the frame. Depending on the level of customization, frameless cabinets will cost you between $6,000 and $30,000.
3. Inset Cabinets
Inset cabinets draw inspiration from Georgian and Victorian eras, which lend homeowners looking for something unique a classic feel.
What makes inset cabinets unique is both the drawers and doors have very little spacing between the cabinets and are flash with frame openings when closed. With inset design, expect to pay 20% more or $150 to $1,000 per linear foot.
Cost of Kitchen Cabinets by Size
It will cost you more money to install kitchen cabinets in a bigger kitchen than in a smaller one. To establish the number of cabinets your kitchen will require and the overall cost based on the kitchen’s size, begin by measuring the linear feet of cabinetry required.
- 10×10 Kitchen Cabinets
Depending on the choice of materials, a standard 10′ by 10′ will cost you anywhere between $2,500 to $6,500 to install kitchen cabinets in a 20 linear feet size kitchen.
- 12×12 Kitchen Cabinets
On average, homeowners spend $3,800 to $8,500 to install new kitchen cabinets in a standard 12′ by 12′ kitchen with a size of 25 linear feet.
Cost of Kitchen Cabinets by Type
Although most homeowners opt for stock (ready-made) cabinets, you can also buy customized cabinets created to complement your home. However, this comes at a price, making custom cabinets the most expensive option.
1. Custom Cabinets
The average cost per linear foot of custom kitchen cabinet is usually around $800. Depending on the size of your kitchen, expect to pay higher or less.
2. Stock Cabinets
On the other hand, stock cabinets are cheaper, averaging between $60 to $250 per linear foot.
3. Semi-custom Cabinets
Besides the above options, you can also go for something in between stock and custom cabinets. Expect to pay between $100 to $600 per linear foot of semi-custom cabinets.
Cabinetry Estimates based on Choice of Material
The choice of materials, whether you go for basic cabinets, custom cabinets or mid-range cabinets, will significantly affect the price of kitchen cabinets.
Regarding kitchen cabinets, the most popular materials used include; hardwood, wood veneer, medium-density fiberboard, plywood, particleboard, and other wood-based materials.
Hardwood cabinets are very popular because of their appealing nature and are ideal for high-end quality kitchen cabinets.
Since hardwood is expensive and less water-resistant, it is often integrated with other materials to save on cost and for optimal results.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the price of kitchen cabinets by material:
- Wood, $6,000-$12,000
- Wood Veneer, $4,000-$9,000
- Acrylic, $5,000-$8,000
- Laminate, $5000-$8,000
- Stainless Steel, $20,000-$30,000
Cost of Removing old or Existing Cabinets
Before installing new cabinets, first, you need to remove the existing cabinets. Although you can do this by yourself, most homeowners consider having a professional remove them.
This is mostly the case where the removal process proves to be tedious and extensive, and you don’t want to incur the risk of destroying the kitchen counter or the surrounding walls.
It is difficult to evade the cost of getting rid of your existing cabinetry since most contractors will include the cost of removing them in your final project cost.
Fortunately, removing kitchen cabinets won’t cost you much. In most cases, professionals will charge you $300 to remove the kitchen cabinets.
Other Factors that Affect the Cost of Kitchen Cabinets
Also, how quickly you want your project done and your geographical location will significantly affect the cost of kitchen cabinets.
Other Alternative for Kitchen Cabinets
Where you’re not in a position to commit to installing new kitchen cabinets, other options can come in handy. This may involve improving the setup of your current kitchen cabinet by either refacing or refinishing.
Refinishing
Refinishing kitchen cabinets involves either painting or staining to improve the cabinets’ exterior. This is the easiest and cheapest method to improve the setup of your kitchen cabinets. Before undertaking refinishing, put into consideration your current kitchen cabinets to help you decide the method of refinishing that would best work for you.
For example, if you have wooden cabinets, staining would be your best option for you. Painting can also provide the desired results, but you may need to do some sanding first, especially for older cabinets.
Painting is the most popular refinishing method since most people can do it on their own with no professional help. Nevertheless, a good painting will give old cabinets a new look again within just a few hours.
Compared to putting in place new cabinets, refinishing your old cabinets costs about $2,264.
Refacing
Refacing, as the name suggests, involves applying a veneer covering to your current cabinet setup. Typically, refacing covers cabinet drawer’s fronts, doors of kitchen cabinets, and all other exposed parts of kitchen cabinets.
Regarding materials, we have three options for kitchen cabinet refacing. They include:
- Solid wood
- RTF
- Laminate
Solid wood is the most used because of its high-end appearance. Besides maximum durability, laminates provide homeowners several options to choose from.
The average cost of refacing kitchen cabinets, as opposed to installing new ones, is about $3,200.
Kitchen Cabinet Essentials
The primary goal of installing new kitchen cabinets (or renovating the existing ones) is to attain more space and to make your kitchen more organized. Below are some awesome ideas that can help make your kitchen life more enjoyable:
- Slide-out Shelves
These make it easier to access pans and storing pots.
- Open Storage
This is perfect for plates, wines, and vegetables.
- Pull out Base Cabinet
These cabinets are great for storing boxed or canned food.
- Drawer Storage
Are excellent for storing, knives, spices, silverware, and other cutlery.
- Corner carousels and shelves
Rotating corner carousels and shelves make it easier to access all items.
How Much to Spend on Kitchen cabinets
Besides deciding which option of kitchen cabinets to go for, it is also important you determine how much the entire project will cost.
Take into consideration how long you have lived on your home, how long you plan to live there, the value of your home and the neighborhood, the number of people in your home, and whether you have pets.
Analyzing these factors will come handy in determining which kitchen cabinet option suits you and your family best and the final cost of kitchen cabinets.
Making the Right Hire
Since you have a good idea of the cost of kitchen cabinets and what it’ll take to update or install your kitchen cabinetry, it is important to ensure you hire the right person to do the job. To ensure you hire the best candidate, consider asking the following questions:
- Can you provide a written quote?
- Can you provide a portfolio of your previous projects?
- Do you have references?
- How long will it take to complete the project?
- Do you have proof of insurance?
- Can you prove you’re licensed?
Final Thoughts
Make sure you get as many quotes as you can, but consider choosing skill over a low cost. No matter the material you choose, if you hire the right person, you’ll get the best quality product and results.
Hiring an inexperienced cabinet maker or choosing the wrong kitchen cabinets can make you incur heavy losses and problems in the future.
