are kitchen cabinets expensive
Jun 14, 2025
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Kitchen cabinets span a massive price range-from 80perlinearfootforstockcabinets∗∗to∗∗80 per linear foot for stock cabinets** to **80perlinearfootforstockcabinets∗∗to∗∗1,500+ per linear foot for full custom designs. Here's how costs break down for a typical 10'x10' kitchen:
📊 Cost Tiers & Price Ranges
| Type | Price per Linear Foot | 10'x10' Kitchen Total* | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Cabinets | 80–80–80–200 | 1,000–1,000–1,000–4,000 | Big-box stores (HD, Lowe's), limited sizes/colors |
| Semi-Custom | 250–250–250–650 | 4,500–4,500–4,500–12,000 | Wider styles/materials (e.g., KraftMaid, Thomasville) |
| Custom Built | 500–500–500–1,500+ | 12,000–12,000–12,000–30,000+ | Fully bespoke, premium woods, hand-finished |
| Luxury/Designer | 800–800–800–2,500+ | 20,000–20,000–20,000–60,000+ | High-end brands (e.g., Bulthaup, Poggenpohl) |
* Includes cabinets only-no countertops, labor, or appliances.
📉 What Drives the Cost?
Materials:
Particleboard/MDF: Cheap (80–80–80–150/LF), less durable.
Plywood Boxes: Mid-tier (150–150–150–400/LF), resist moisture.
Solid Wood (Maple, Oak, Walnut): Premium ($400+/LF).
Exotics (Teak, Zebrawood): $750+/LF.
Construction:
Dovetail Drawers: Add 15–25% vs. stapled boxes.
Soft-Close Hardware: +20–20–20–50 per hinge/drawer glide.
Full-Height Backs: $100+/cabinet vs. thin backs.
Labor & Installation:
Stock: DIY-friendly; install: 100–100–100–250/cabinet.
Custom: Professional install required (5,000–5,000–5,000–20,000+).
Extras:
Organizers (50–50–50–200/drawer), glass doors (+50%), decorative molding (+20%).
💰 Real-World Cost Savers
Reface Instead of Replace:
New doors + drawer fronts on existing boxes: 60% less than new cabinets.
Cost: 4,000–4,000–4,000–9,000 for a 10'x10' kitchen.
Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) Cabinets:
Flat-pack from online retailers (e.g., IKEA, Barker Cabinets): 1,500–1,500–1,500–8,000 for 10'x10'.
Trade-off: DIY assembly required; limited customization.
Hybrid Approach:
Semi-custom boxes + stock doors: 25–40% savings over full semi-custom.
📍 Regional Differences (U.S./Canada)
Taxes: Cabinets subject to sales tax (unlike permanent fixtures in some states/provinces).
Labor: Higher in major cities (e.g., NYC installation: +25% vs. Midwest).
Supply Chains: Local cabinetmakers cheaper in rural areas; urban = higher demand costs.
💎 Key Takeaway
"Expensive" is relative:
For builders: Stock cabinets are 8–10% of a new home's budget.
For renovators: Cabinets typically eat 25–40% of a kitchen remodel total.
ROI: Upgrading cabinets recoups 60–80% of cost in resale value.
💡 Tip: Always get 3 quotes. A 15,000semi−customquotemightdropto15,000 semi-custom quote might drop to 15,000semi−customquotemightdropto11,500 with negotiation-or match a custom shop's promotional pricing.
Bottom line: Expect to spend 1,000–1,000–1,000–4,000 per linear foot installed for quality that lasts. 🏠