Custom cabinets typically cost $250-$700 per linear foot to build, or about $500-$1,200 per linear foot when delivered and installed. Cabinet material, door style, finish, kitchen layout, and local labor rates drive the estimate; wall cabinets, specialty storage, and removal of old cabinets can raise the total.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build only | $250 per linear ft | $450 per linear ft | $700 per linear ft | Custom boxes and doors; finish may be extra |
| Built and installed | $500 per linear ft | $800 per linear ft | $1,200 per linear ft | Standard custom kitchen scope |
| 10-foot kitchen run | $5,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 | Cabinets, delivery, and installation |
| Premium hardwood cabinets | $900 per linear ft | $1,300 per linear ft | $1,800 per linear ft | Complex doors, finish, or interior fittings |
What custom cabinets cost per linear foot
For a straightforward kitchen, a 10-foot run of custom cabinets is often $5,000-$12,000 installed, with a typical estimate near $8,000. That assumes standard cabinet depth, painted or stained hardwood fronts, plywood or furniture-grade box construction, ordinary site access, and no major plumbing or electrical changes. Build-only quotes exclude installation and may exclude finishing, hardware, and delivery.
Use linear feet as an early budget measure, not a final quote. Cabinetmakers may price base and wall cabinets differently, and a short run with many drawers or corners can cost more per foot than a longer, simple run.
Assumptions: U.S. mid-market labor, standard kitchen layout, custom construction, no countertop or appliance costs.
How cabinet boxes, doors, and installation shape the quote
Quotes usually combine cabinet construction, finish work, hardware, delivery, and fitting. Ask whether the stated per-foot rate covers both base and wall cabinets; some estimates count only one cabinet row or list installation separately.
| Quote component | Typical range | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Boxes and shelves | $120-$350 per linear ft | Plywood, MDF, solid wood, thickness |
| Doors and drawer fronts | $80-$300 per linear ft | Shaker, slab, raised panel, custom profiles |
| Finish and paint | $40-$150 per linear ft | Stain matching, spray finish, color complexity |
| Installation labor | $100-$300 per linear ft | Leveling, scribing, trim, wall condition |
| Delivery and hardware | $25-$125 per linear ft | Distance, soft-close hinges, organizers |
Confirm the included work before comparing per-foot rates. A low quote may omit finishing, crown molding, fillers, toe kicks, or installation. Labor may also be priced by the hour; at $60-$120 per hour is a common planning range for skilled cabinet installation.
Why cabinet height, wood grade, and layout change pricing
Material and dimensions have an outsized effect. Painted maple or birch fronts generally cost less than walnut or rift-sawn oak, while plywood boxes commonly add durability at a higher price than particleboard. A 24-inch-deep base cabinet is a common standard; deeper units, ceiling-height uppers over 36 inches, and custom sizing require more material and shop time.
Drawers, blind corners, appliance panels, and pull-out organizers add cost because they involve extra parts and fitting. A kitchen with more than 12 linear feet of cabinets and several corners may price above a simple straight run even when both measure the same length. Moving plumbing or electrical service is usually quoted separately.
Door complexity and storage fittings can matter more than a small change in cabinet length. Request separate prices for standard shelves, drawer banks, and specialty inserts.
What cabinet installation labor adds to the project
A two-person crew may install 10-15 linear feet of straightforward cabinets in one to two days, while uneven walls, extensive scribing, or many appliance panels can extend the job. Installation commonly accounts for $100-$300 per linear foot, or roughly 20%-35% of a built-and-installed quote. Older homes may need wall repairs or floor leveling before cabinets can be set.
Ask whether the labor allowance includes removal and disposal. Taking out existing cabinets may add $300-$1,000 for a typical kitchen, with hauling fees or difficult access pushing the price higher. Countertop removal and plumbing disconnection may be separate trades.
Regional cabinet rates vary with shop and labor costs
Prices in major coastal metros can run 15%-30% above the national mid-market range because of higher wages, rent, and delivery expenses. Smaller cities and rural areas may be 5%-20% lower, although fewer nearby cabinet shops can increase freight or scheduling charges. Regional differences also reflect local demand and finish expectations, not just material prices.
Compare quotes from shops serving the same area and using similar specifications. A quote should identify wood or panel grade, door construction, finish, installation, and delivery so a regional price gap can be evaluated fairly.
Three kitchen cabinet quotes by size and finish
A basic 8-foot straight run with painted maple fronts, standard shelves, and simple installation might total $4,800-$6,400, or $600-$800 per linear foot. A 12-foot kitchen with several drawer banks, soft-close hardware, and crown trim could reach $9,600-$14,400, or $800-$1,200 per foot.
A 15-foot layout in walnut with inset doors, finished interiors, and multiple pull-outs may cost $19,500-$27,000, or $1,300-$1,800 per foot. These examples include typical delivery and installation but exclude countertops, taxes, demolition, and utility changes.
Use the examples as scope comparisons, not fixed market prices. A cabinetmaker’s drawing and itemized quote provide a more reliable total than multiplying footage alone.
Custom cabinets compared with stock and semi-custom units
Stock cabinets commonly cost $100-$300 per linear foot for materials, while semi-custom options often run $150-$500 per foot before installation. Custom cabinets generally start around $250 per foot for construction alone and can exceed $1,000 per foot for premium materials and details. Stock sizes can reduce shop time, but filler strips may be needed to fit the room.
Choose custom construction when exact dimensions or specialized storage justify the premium. If standard widths fit the layout, stock or semi-custom cabinets can lower the cabinet budget; installation, delivery, and finish upgrades still need to be compared on equal terms.
Where to trim a custom cabinet budget without losing function
Keep the cabinet footprint and appliance locations unchanged, use standard widths where possible, and limit specialty pull-outs to the areas that need them. A simpler door profile, painted birch or maple, and open shelving in a small section can reduce material and labor costs. Completing demolition and clearing the work area may also avoid paid prep time if the contractor allows it.
Get at least three itemized quotes based on the same cabinet plan. Check whether each includes finish, hardware, fillers, trim, delivery, installation, and removal. Avoid paying for premium interiors or upgrades that do not solve a specific storage need.