Kitchen cabinets typically cost about $40-$120 per square foot of kitchen floor area when purchased and installed, although small stock-cabinet projects can fall below that range and custom layouts can exceed it. Because cabinet contractors usually price by cabinet, linear foot, or project—not by floor area—the final cost depends on cabinet length, construction, finish, labor, and removal needs.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cabinets per kitchen floor sq ft | $25 | $70 | $200 | Broad budget conversion; excludes major kitchen remodeling |
| Installed cabinets per linear ft | $100 | $300 | $1,000+ | Varies by stock, semi-custom, or custom construction |
| Stock cabinets for a 10-by-10 kitchen | $2,500 | $5,500 | $9,000 | Cabinet package and installation, standard layout |
| Custom cabinets for a 10-by-10 kitchen | $10,000 | $18,000 | $30,000+ | Higher-grade materials, detailed sizing, or specialty features |
Assumptions: Typical U.S. pricing, standard cabinet runs, ordinary access, and installation without countertop or appliance costs.
What Kitchen Cabinets Cost for a Typical 10-by-10 Room
A useful planning range is $2,500-$9,000 for installed stock cabinets and $10,000-$30,000 or more for custom cabinetry. A 10-by-10 kitchen has 100 square feet of floor area, so those totals work out to roughly $25-$90 per floor square foot for stock and $100-$300 per square foot for custom work. These are budgeting conversions, not standard cabinet-industry rates.
For a more useful cabinet-to-cabinet comparison, estimate the length of the base and wall runs. Stock cabinets commonly run $100-$300 per linear foot installed, semi-custom cabinets about $150-$650, and custom cabinets about $500-$1,200 or more. A quote can land outside these ranges if it includes unusually complex corners, premium finishes, or extensive site work.
Square footage can mean the kitchen floor, cabinet faces, or the wall area covered by cabinets. Those measurements are not interchangeable. A contractor’s estimate should identify whether its quoted square footage refers to floor area or another measured surface; otherwise, compare the total project scope and cabinet run length instead.
How Cabinet Materials, Installation, and Removal Shape the Quote
Cabinet-box construction and labor usually make up the largest parts of the bill. The table gives common ranges for a straightforward replacement; some companies combine these charges into one installed price, so the line items may not appear separately.
| Quote item | Typical price | What it covers | Common cost trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock cabinet materials | $75-$250 per linear ft | Standard-size boxes, doors, and basic finish | Upgraded door style or plywood box |
| Semi-custom materials | $150-$500 per linear ft | More sizes, finishes, and configuration choices | Nonstandard widths or interior accessories |
| Custom materials | $400-$1,000+ per linear ft | Made-to-measure boxes, doors, and finishes | Specialty wood, inset doors, or detailed trim |
| Installation labor | $50-$125 per hour | Layout, leveling, fastening, and fitting | Out-of-square walls or complex runs |
| Removal and disposal | $300-$1,200 per kitchen | Taking down old cabinets and hauling debris | Large kitchens or difficult disposal access |
| Delivery and handling | $150-$700 per order | Transport and job-site delivery | Long-distance delivery or extra handling |
Labor may be quoted as a project fee rather than an hourly rate. A basic installation can take roughly 15-30 labor hours, while a large or complicated kitchen may require 40 hours or more.
Cabinet Run Length, Door Style, and Box Grade Change Prices
More linear footage and more custom sizing raise the price even when the kitchen floor area stays the same. A compact kitchen with 15-20 linear feet of cabinets may need fewer units than a larger kitchen with 30-40 feet, but layout efficiency and cabinet height also matter.
Stock cabinets use set widths and are often the least expensive option. If the wall dimensions align with available sizes, standard units can keep material costs near the lower end. A gap that requires filler strips or a different layout may be less expensive than ordering custom widths, but it can reduce usable storage or change the appearance.
Box material is another price lever. Particleboard or furniture-board boxes can be less expensive; plywood boxes generally cost more and may suit buyers who prioritize sturdier construction or moisture resistance. Door style, finish, and hardware also affect the quote. Basic overlay doors are generally less costly than inset doors, painted specialty finishes, or decorative woodwork.
Cabinet height and interior features can shift the total substantially. Adding tall pantry units, ceiling-height uppers, pullout trays, corner organizers, or soft-close hardware can add hundreds to several thousand dollars, depending on how many units receive upgrades. For comparison, request the same cabinet count, box material, door style, and hardware specification in each estimate.
Stock, Semi-Custom, and Custom Cabinets Compared
The construction category is one of the quickest ways to explain a large price difference between bids. Approximate installed pricing below includes ordinary installation but not countertops, plumbing changes, or extensive wall repair.
| Cabinet type | Installed per linear ft | Typical 10-by-10 total | Usual trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | $100-$300 | $2,500-$9,000 | Lowest price; limited sizes and finishes |
| Semi-custom | $150-$650 | $5,000-$18,000 | More configurations without full custom fabrication |
| Custom | $500-$1,200+ | $10,000-$30,000+ | Made-to-measure design; highest labor and material cost |
Price ranges overlap because cabinet lines, regional labor, and project complexity vary. A high-end stock package can cost more than a basic semi-custom order, particularly when delivery and installation are included in one bid. Compare the exact product line and included services, not just the category name.
Why Installation Rates Differ by Region and Kitchen Access
Labor and delivery commonly cost more in dense, high-wage markets than in lower-cost rural areas. As a broad planning adjustment, coastal metros and major cities may run 10%-25% above a national midrange estimate, while some rural markets may be 5%-15% below it. These are general differences, not guaranteed local rates.
Access can matter as much as geography. Carrying cabinets up several flights of stairs, parking far from the entrance, or working in a tight kitchen can add labor or handling charges. A nearby warehouse, clear delivery route, and vacant work area can help keep logistics simpler. Ask whether delivery, unloading, and debris removal are included or separately priced.
Local demand and contractor availability can also affect scheduling and quote terms. During busy remodeling periods, labor slots may be limited, and a rushed installation may carry a premium. Obtain local bids with the same cabinet specifications and removal scope to see whether a regional difference reflects wages or a different project package.
Three Cabinet Quotes for Different Kitchen Sizes
These examples show how layout and product choice change the effective price per square foot. Totals assume ordinary access and installation; they exclude countertops, new appliances, and major electrical or plumbing work.
| Project example | Scope and labor | Estimated total | Floor-area equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small stock replacement | 18 linear ft; 20 labor hours at $65-$95 per hour; basic removal | $3,500-$6,000 | $35-$60 per sq ft in a 100-sq-ft kitchen |
| Midrange semi-custom | 25 linear ft; 30 labor hours at $75-$110 per hour; plywood boxes and soft-close drawers | $8,000-$15,000 | $80-$150 per sq ft in a 100-sq-ft kitchen |
| Large custom installation | 35 linear ft; 45 labor hours at $85-$125 per hour; tall pantry and fitted trim | $22,000-$40,000+ | $220-$400+ per sq ft in a 100-sq-ft kitchen |
The labor figures are illustrative and may be included in the installed total rather than added separately. In the small and midrange examples, the per-square-foot conversion assumes a 100-square-foot kitchen; a different floor area changes that calculation even if the cabinet package remains identical.
Removal, Wall Repairs, and Cabinet Add-Ons to Budget For
Old-cabinet removal and site repairs can turn an apparent cabinet-only quote into a larger project bill. Removal and disposal commonly add $300-$1,200, while patching drywall, correcting uneven walls, or replacing damaged trim may add $200-$1,500 or more, depending on the condition found after demolition.
Other common extras include crown molding at roughly $8-$30 per linear foot installed, filler panels at $50-$300 each, and pullout organizers at $100-$500 or more per cabinet. New knobs and pulls can add about $3-$25 per piece for hardware, plus installation if the contractor charges for it. These items may be optional, but they should be listed separately so the base price remains clear.
Moving a sink, range, or refrigerator to accommodate a new layout can involve plumbing, electrical, or flooring work beyond cabinet installation. That work may add hundreds to several thousand dollars. A cabinet estimate should state whether appliance disconnection, countertop removal, and utility changes are excluded.
Which Cabinet Choices Can Lower the Installed Price?
Keeping the existing layout and choosing standard-size stock units are often the most effective ways to limit cabinet spending. Reusing the sink and appliance locations can avoid related trade work, and retaining sound cabinets with new doors may cost less than replacing every box. Refacing commonly runs about $4,000-$12,000 for a typical kitchen, but the boxes must be structurally sound and the desired layout must still work.
Limit upgrades to the cabinets that need them. For example, use pullouts in frequently accessed base cabinets rather than throughout the kitchen, and compare standard hardware with premium finishes. Choosing a simpler door style or finish can reduce material costs without changing cabinet capacity.
Before accepting a quote, ask for a measured cabinet list with unit sizes, product line, box material, door finish, hardware, installation, delivery, and removal shown clearly. Get at least three bids using the same specifications. A lower total is not necessarily a lower price if it omits disposal, trim, fillers, or installation work that another estimate includes.
Scheduling can also affect the final amount. Allowing normal lead time may avoid rush charges, and clearing the work area before installation can reduce delays. Avoid paying for custom dimensions when fillers or a revised cabinet layout can solve the same fit issue at lower cost.