how much are solid wood cabinets
Jun 03, 2025
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The cost of solid wood cabinets varies significantly based on wood species, customization level, location, and finishes. Below is a detailed breakdown to help you budget:
Key Cost Drivers
Wood Species:
Budget: Poplar, Birch (100–100–100–200 per linear foot)
Mid-Range: Oak, Alder (150–150–150–300 per linear foot)
Premium: Maple, Cherry, Walnut (250–250–250–600+ per linear foot)
Customization:
Stock (pre-sized boxes): 20–40% cheaper than custom.
Semi-Custom (sizes + finishes): Mid-price range.
Full Custom (handcrafted): 2–3x stock prices.
Finish:
Painted finishes add 10–20% vs. stained (labor-intensive).
Gloss, lacquer, or hand-distressing increases cost.
Average Price Ranges (Installed)
| Type | 10x10 Kitchen (Linear Feet) | Total Cost (Materials + Labor) |
|---|---|---|
| Stock (e.g., Home Depot/IKEA solid wood) | 20–25 LF | 8,000–8,000–8,000–15,000 |
| Semi-Custom (local shops) | 20–25 LF | 12,000–12,000–12,000–25,000 |
| Full Custom (craftsman) | 20–25 LF | 20,000–20,000–20,000–50,000+ |
Note:
Prices include boxes, doors, drawers, and hardware.
Add 15–25% for installation labor if not bundled.
High-cost regions (e.g., CA, NY) add 20–30%.
Cost per Cabinet Unit
| Cabinet Type | Stock/Semi-Custom | Full Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Base Cabinet (36") | 300–300–300–800 | 600–600–600–2,000 |
| Wall Cabinet (30") | 200–200–200–600 | 500–500–500–1,500 |
| Pantry Cabinet (84") | 800–800–800–2,000 | 1,500–1,500–1,500–4,000 |
| Drawers (per box) | 150–150–150–400 | 300–300–300–800 |
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Hardware: Hinges/drawer slides add 500–500–500–2,000 (soft-close upgrades cost extra).
Finishing:
Paint/stain labor: 50–50–50–150 per door.
Specialty finishes (e.g., glazing): +20–50%.
Extras:
Roll-out trays: 100–100–100–300 each.
Glass inserts: 50–50–50–200 per door.
Crown molding: 30–30–30–100 per linear foot.
Ways to Save
Hybrid Approach: Solid wood doors + plywood boxes (saves 15–30%).
Refacing: Keep existing boxes, replace doors/drawers (5,000–5,000–5,000–12,000 for a kitchen).
IKEA or RTA: Ready-to-assemble solid wood (e.g., IKEA BODBYN) + third-party doors: 7,000–7,000–7,000–15,000.
Questions to Ask Suppliers
"Is the cabinet box solid wood, or just the doors?"
"Are drawers solid wood or plywood?" (Avoid particleboard cores).
"What's included in the quote? (Hardware, delivery, install?)"
"Do you offer a finish warranty?" (5+ years for peeling/yellowing).
Pro Tip:
Order 10–20% extra wood for future repairs – grain/color matching years later is hard!
For Nova Scotia-specific pricing (where humidity/salt air demands durable woods), expect costs 10–15% higher than national averages. Maple or birch with marine-grade sealant is worth the premium for coastal homes 🌊.