The allure of a shiny new kitchen is hard to resist. That is, until the first remodeling estimates start rolling in. The cost of kitchen cabinets is often the most expensive line item in your kitchen project budget, accounting for approximately 30% to 35% of your costs. If you are wondering where all the money goes, you have come to the right place.
In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about kitchen cabinet installation costs, including detailed pricing information and recommended planning considerations. You will also learn the key factors that affect your final price, as well as a few lower-cost alternatives for tighter budgets.
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How Much Does Kitchen Cabinet Installation Cost?
The national average cost for kitchen cabinet installation is $4,000 to $9,000.
There are many different variables that will impact the installation cost of kitchen cabinets. The two primary factors are:
- Your kitchen’s size and layout
- The total number of cabinets
For example, a 10 x 10 kitchen with 12 semi-custom veneered cabinets will cost far less than a 12 x 12 kitchen with custom cabinets crafted in solid white oak.
Whether you decide to go with stock (premade) cabinets, semi-custom, or fully custom will also affect the cost, as will your cabinet hardware selections.
Additionally, you will also need to plan for construction labor in your estimate. Demolition costs and any remodeling work that may be required can also add to the final price tag.
Factors That Impact Kitchen Cabinet Installation Costs
Here is a quick list of the top items that affect your kitchen cabinet installation cost. Each one will be addressed in more detail in another section:
- Kitchen size
- Number of cabinets
- Type of cabinets
- Cabinet material
- Cabinet finish
- Hardware choice
- Demolition
- Additional remodeling work like plumbing, electrical, drywall, and painting
What Is the Average Cost per Linear Foot?
It can be helpful to visualize your kitchen cabinet project in terms of linear feet. Your professional cabinet installer will take your kitchen’s dimensions and determine the total number of linear feet of cabinets your space requires.
The average range for kitchen cabinet installation is between $200 and $1,000 per linear foot.
Cabinet type and material are the primary factors that affect your final installation cost. For example, custom cabinets made from solid wood are typically the most expensive, while stock cabinets from synthetic materials are more budget-friendly.
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Cabinet Installation Labor Costs
There is a lot that goes into kitchen cabinet installation. Here is a breakdown of each step and its associated costs.
Demolition and disposal: Removal of your kitchen’s old cabinets is a necessary part of the job. Your cabinet installer and their team will handle this and can cost between $300 and $500.
Installation of new cabinets: While the material cost for stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets ranges widely, the installation costs are often similar. This is because they are constructed off-site then brought to your kitchen ready to assemble. In some cases, fully custom kitchen cabinets will be made on-site, but that labor cost is typically added to the material section of your project estimate. The average cost to install kitchen cabinets ranges from $4,000 to $9,000.
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Hardware installation: From simple knobs to fancy pulls, choose from thousands of options to match cabinet style, color or stain, and your preferences. Hardware costs vary widely from budget collections from big-box retailers to hand-crafted designs. The average cost range for 12 cabinet pulls is $300 to $1,900 on average.
Additional construction work: Sometimes drywall repair is necessary after installing kitchen cabinets. This comes at an additional cost and will include wall repainting where needed.
If your project requires moving outlets, the refrigerator, or a kitchen faucet, you will need to factor in electrical or plumbing work as well.
Cabinet Installation Cost by Type and Material
Fortunately, when it comes to kitchen cabinets, you have options to fit both your design preferences and budget. The type of cabinet and material will have the biggest impact on your final project cost. There are three categories of cabinets, listed below from least to most expensive:
- Stock: These cabinets come fully assembled by the manufacturer and ready to install. This is often the most cost-effective option. However, your choices of style, sizes, material, and color will be more limited.
- Semi-custom: Similar to stock cabinets, semi-custom cabinets are manufactured in standard sizes and styles, but they offer more customization options. You will have more choices in colors, stains, hardware, and interior features like pullouts and organizational trays.
- Custom: This type of cabinet is fully customized to your kitchen’s space and your exact specifications. The sky’s the limit in your choice of material, style, finish, and hardware, but they usually come with a higher price tag.
Kitchen Cabinet Costs by Type and Material Cabinet TypeAverage installation cost per linear foot Stock cabinets$230 to $530 Semi-custom cabinets$350 to $780 Custom cabinets$700 to $1,180 Solid wood cabinets$220 to $830 Acrylic cabinets$350 to $980 Wood veneer cabinets$220 to $630 MDF cabinets$220 to $630
Cabinet Installation Cost by Size
The size of your kitchen will be a significant cost driver. A larger kitchen usually equates to more cabinets, and a smaller kitchen requires fewer.
For a 10 x 10 kitchen requiring 12 cabinets, the average installation cost ranges from $2,800 to $6,500.
Kitchen sizes are increasing among resale and new homes. Households are expanding kitchens in their remodels, while more new construction homes are being built with open-concept layouts that open up the kitchen area.
For a larger kitchen 12 x 12 in size, the average installation cost ranges from $3,800 to $8,500.
How Does Cabinet Size Affect Installation Cost?
Cabinet sizes impact material costs but not necessarily installation costs. Cabinet sizes are relatively standard across types and materials. As such, installation costs fall in a similar range whether you decide on stock, semi-custom, or custom cabinets.
Where the cabinet is installed and the complexity of the labor required are the two main cost drivers. The more moving parts and bells and whistles included with each cabinet, the more it costs to install. Drawers, lazy susans, and pull-outs are a few examples of features that cost extra to install.
Common Cabinet Sizes and Installation Costs
Common Kitchen Cabinet Sizes and Installation Costs Cabinet TypeStandard SizesInstallation Cost per Cabinet Base cabinetsHeight: 35” Depth: 24” Width: 12” to 36”$275 to $2,325 Upper or wall cabinetsHeight: 30” to 36” Depth: 12” to 18” Width: 24” to 30”$250 to $1,100 Utility cabinetsHeight: 35” to 36” Depth: 12” to 24” Width: 18” to 36”$1,150 to $9,485
Cost to Install Cabinet Hardware
You will also need to factor hardware installation into your project. Those little knobs or pulls may seem insignificant, but small details can add up quickly!
The average cost to install kitchen cabinet hardware ranges from $300 to $1,900.
There are a few things that affect the cost of cabinet hardware and installation. The biggest factors are:
- Material
- Size
- Finish
- Intricacy of the design
For example, a stainless steel knob is a more budget-friendly option than a custom-designed handle of solid brass.
Once you get to installation, the cost comes down to the number of holes that need to be drilled. Knobs are usually less expensive to install because they require only a single hole compared to handles that require two or more.
Hardware options can run from budget-conscious collections from $1.50 per piece to hand-forged one-of-a-kind pieces at $50 or more each.
Cost to Paint or Finish Cabinets
Let’s take a look at two popular cabinet finishes.
Stain
Stains can bring out the lovely grains of wood cabinets and add a rich warmth to a kitchen. One last benefit to consider: stain is also easier to touch up than paint — you can easily find a touch-up marker to match your cabinet stain.
Average cost for cabinet staining: $4 to $10 per square foot
Paint
Painting kitchen cabinets opens you up to a world of color possibilities. And if it is a classic all-white kitchen you crave, painted cabinets will deliver that clean and crisp look. Paint can be 10 to 15% more than stain in some areas, which may increase your final project cost.
Average cost for cabinet painting: $3 to $10 per square foot
Cabinet Refacing and Refinishing Cost
If you are interested in a kitchen refresh without the cost and lifestyle disruption of cabinet replacement, cabinet refacing and refinishing are two quality alternatives.
Cabinet Refacing
Refacing cabinets allows you to refresh them and give them an updated look without requiring a full replacement. Cabinet drawer fronts and doors are removed and a veneer is applied to the bases. New fronts are installed to match the veneer and often include updated hardware.
The average cost to reface kitchen cabinets ranges from $7,000 to $12,000.
Cabinet Refinishing
Cabinet refinishing is a great option for tighter budgets. The process involves sanding your existing cabinets to remove paint or stain, repainting or restaining, and updating the hardware.
The average cost to refinish kitchen cabinets ranges from $1,500 to $5,000.
Tips for Saving on a Cabinet Installation
Installing new kitchen cabinets requires a significant portion of your remodeling budget. Here are a few ways to maximize your investment and save some cash on your project:
- Opt for stock or semi-custom cabinets instead of custom
- Avoid expensive glass fronts in wall cabinets
- Replace several wall cabinets with open shelving
- Opt for a more minimalist or less ornate design
- Choose cabinet staining over painting
Hiring a Qualified Professional
One of the most reliable ways to save costs and ensure a quality project is by hiring a reputable kitchen remodeler or cabinet installer. With their expertise and deep product knowledge, they can help you select the right type of cabinet material and type for your budget. They also work efficiently and cause the least amount of disruption to your household so you can begin enjoying your brand-new kitchen sooner.
Let Modernize help you with your kitchen improvement project. Find a local, pre-screened kitchen cabinet installation professional today.
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Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens