The cost of kitchen cupboard doors typically ranges from $300 to $3,500 for a partial or full replacement, with many homeowners paying about $1,200-$1,800 for a standard-size kitchen. Door material, the number of fronts, hinge compatibility, and whether installation or cabinet repairs are included account for most price differences.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement door, each | $25 | $75 | $250 | Price varies by material, finish, and size |
| Doors for a 10-door kitchen | $300 | $900 | $2,500 | Doors only; excludes fitting and hardware |
| Installed replacement project | $600 | $1,500 | $3,500 | Assumes 10-20 fronts and sound cabinet boxes |
| Labor per door | $15 | $35 | $75 | Removal, hinge adjustment, and fitting |
Assumptions: U.S. pricing for standard-size doors, ordinary access, and midrange materials; custom dimensions and high-cost metro areas can exceed these ranges.
What replacement kitchen cupboard doors cost by project size
For a small refresh with 6-8 doors, budget around $300-$1,200 for doors alone, or $500-$1,700 with straightforward installation. A typical kitchen with 10-20 doors and drawer fronts often costs $700-$2,500 for materials and $1,000-$3,500 installed. Larger kitchens with 25 or more fronts can exceed $4,000 when custom sizing, premium finishes, or hardware changes are involved.
Entry-level thermofoil or basic painted MDF doors commonly cost $25-$70 each. Midrange solid-wood or better-quality painted doors are often $70-$150 each. Custom hardwood, detailed profiles, unusual sizes, or specialty finishes can reach $150-$400 or more per door. Drawer fronts are usually less than full doors, though custom sizing affects both.
For a standard 10-20-front kitchen, $1,000-$3,500 installed is a practical planning range. This assumes the cabinet boxes remain in place, most existing hinges can be reused, and no major carpentry or finish repair is needed. Replacing doors is generally less expensive than replacing complete cabinets, but it does not correct damaged or poorly laid-out cabinet boxes.
Door materials, hinges, and fitting in a replacement quote
A quote should distinguish door and drawer-front prices from hardware, labor, and delivery. Some suppliers include hinges or drilling in the door price; others charge separately. Ask whether the amount covers measuring, removal, disposal, installation, alignment, and tax, because a low door-only quote is not directly comparable with an installed estimate.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge | Common unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic MDF or thermofoil doors | $25-$90 | Size, edge detail, color, and finish | Per door |
| Painted or solid-wood doors | $70-$250 | Wood species, panel profile, and coating | Per door |
| Hinges and drilling | $5-$25 | Soft-close type and hole pattern | Per hinge or door |
| Installation labor | $15-$75 | Door count, adjustment, and site access | Per door |
| Delivery and disposal | $50-$300 | Distance, packaging, and old-door volume | Per project |
Labor can be billed per front or as a project minimum. A small job may still incur a $150-$400 minimum visit charge. Where the installer needs to drill new hinge cups, patch old holes, or modify cabinet edges, additional carpentry may add $50-$150 per affected cabinet. Confirm whether hinge drilling and final door alignment are included before comparing bids.
For example, 8-14 labor hours at $50-$100 per hour produces a labor allowance of roughly $400-$1,400, before any project minimum or specialty carpentry.
How door dimensions, material, and hinge specs change the price
Count and measure every door and drawer front rather than estimating from the number of cabinets. Standard fronts are more likely to match stocked sizes; a door wider than 24 inches, taller than 36 inches, or an odd custom dimension may require special production. Custom orders can cost 20%-60% more than comparable standard-size fronts, and a single replacement may carry a setup or minimum-order charge.
Material and construction also matter. Basic MDF is economical and provides a smooth surface for paint, while solid wood can cost more and may show natural grain or movement. Thermofoil is often a budget option, but heat near ovens or dishwashers can affect its finish over time. A five-piece shaker profile usually costs more than a plain slab because it requires additional construction and finishing.
Hinge specifications can create hidden costs. Older cabinets may use exposed hinges, unusual overlay dimensions, or nonstandard screw locations. Switching to concealed soft-close hinges may require new hinge cups and careful drilling. If cabinets have 1/2-inch overlay doors, for example, a replacement designed for a 1-inch overlay will not fit correctly without adjustments.
Site condition is another price variable. Crooked cabinet boxes, sagging shelves, stripped screw holes, or uneven walls can make a quick swap into a repair job. Replacing a damaged hinge plate may add $10-$40 in parts and labor per location; repairing a cabinet side or rebuilding a box can add several hundred dollars. Accurate measurements and a hinge sample reduce the risk of ordering fronts that need expensive alterations.
Three sample cupboard-door quotes for real kitchen scopes
These examples show how door count, materials, and labor combine. They assume ordinary U.S. access and functioning cabinet boxes; regional labor and custom finishes can shift the final amounts. Quotes should list measurements and specifications for each opening so that allowances are not mistaken for a firm price.
| Project | Scope and unit pricing | Labor and extras | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small rental refresh | 8 MDF doors at $40-$60; 3 drawer fronts at $25-$40 | 4-6 hours at $50-$80; basic hinges reused | $600-$1,100 |
| Midrange family kitchen | 14 painted shaker doors at $85-$135; 6 fronts at $45-$75 | 8-12 hours at $60-$95; new hinges and delivery | $1,800-$3,400 |
| Custom hardwood upgrade | 18 hardwood doors at $150-$300; 8 fronts at $80-$160 | 12-18 hours at $75-$120; custom drilling and disposal | $4,000-$8,000 |
The small project can cost more per door than a larger order because measuring, delivery, and installation have fixed minimum charges. In the custom example, the high end reflects premium wood and finish selections rather than a typical replacement. Compare each quote using the same door count, dimensions, finish, and hardware list.
How many labor hours a cupboard-door installation takes
A capable installer may replace 10-15 straightforward doors in about 4-8 hours, including removal, hinge attachment, alignment, and cleanup. A 20-30-front kitchen typically needs 8-16 hours if measurements are accurate and the existing boxes are square. Two-person crews may finish sooner, but the hourly cost is higher; many contractors quote the complete project rather than charging strictly by the hour.
At $50-$100 per hour, labor for a simple 10-door job may be $200-$600, but visit minimums can raise the bill. A larger installation with new hinges, drawer-front work, or adjustments can reach $700-$1,600. If the crew must make repeated trips because doors arrive incorrectly sized or unfinished, labor and delivery costs can increase. Confirm who is responsible for rework caused by a supplier measurement error.
Installation often takes longer when old hinges are painted over, screws are stripped, or cabinets are out of level. Homeowners can help by clearing countertops and removing fragile items, but should not detach doors before the installer confirms the measurement and removal plan. Keep the project scope and labor allowance in writing, including any charge for return visits.
Replacement doors compared with painting or cabinet refacing
Painting existing doors may cost about $1,000-$3,500 for a typical kitchen when a contractor removes, prepares, and sprays the fronts. It can be cheaper than replacement if the doors are sound and the existing profile is acceptable. DIY paint can reduce cash expense to roughly $150-$600 for supplies, but durable results depend on cleaning, sanding, primer, and a suitable cabinet coating.
Replacing only doors and drawer fronts generally costs $1,000-$3,500 installed for a standard kitchen, with a wider range for custom materials. Cabinet refacing adds new veneer or laminate to exposed cabinet frames as well as new fronts; a typical project may run $4,000-$12,000, depending on kitchen size and finish. Full cabinet replacement commonly costs substantially more because demolition, new boxes, and installation are included.
Door replacement is not a good fix for swollen particleboard, water-damaged cabinet bottoms, failing joints, or a layout that needs changing. Painting also cannot correct structural damage. Compare the cost of new fronts with the condition of the cabinet boxes, not just with the price of a full remodel.
Regional labor rates and delivery affect the final quote
Local wages, contractor availability, and delivery distance influence installed pricing. A straightforward project in a lower-cost rural or Midwestern market may come in 10%-20% below a national-style estimate. Major coastal metros and high-cost cities can run 15%-35% higher, especially when custom cabinet shops or union labor are involved. These are broad comparisons, not guaranteed regional rates.
Shipping can matter when doors come from a distant manufacturer. A small order may incur $50-$200 in freight or handling, while oversized or fragile custom fronts can cost $200-$500 to deliver. Remote locations may also face limited installer availability or a travel charge. Local suppliers can reduce shipping expense, but their material prices may be higher than online pricing.
When requesting estimates, provide the ZIP code, door count, approximate dimensions, and desired material. Ask whether the quote includes sales tax and freight. Use at least two local estimates with matching specifications to separate genuine labor differences from shipping or product-price differences.
Lower the cupboard-door bill by controlling materials and scope
Keeping sound cabinet boxes and using existing hinges can avoid refacing or hardware expenses. Before ordering, confirm which fronts need replacement; some kitchens need only a few damaged doors or drawer fronts. A partial order can be economical, although color and finish matching may be difficult if the original fronts have aged or the product line has changed.
Choose a readily available size and finish where appearance permits. Standard painted MDF or thermofoil fronts often cost less than custom hardwood, and a simple slab or shaker profile may cost less than ornate detailing. Request the price difference for soft-close hinges rather than assuming they are necessary. Avoid paying for premium coatings or custom edge work unless those features solve a specific durability or design need.
Reduce avoidable labor by preparing accurate measurements and photographs, clearing the work area, and grouping all doors into one installation visit. Do not order from measurements taken only from old doors if the cabinets are uneven; have the supplier or installer verify dimensions and overlay. A written, itemized quote makes it easier to identify optional upgrades and keep the job within budget.
Check the terms for deposits, lead times, finish samples, and defective or mismeasured doors. Custom fronts may take several weeks, and expedited production or shipping can add 10%-25%. A sample door can help confirm color and profile before a full order, though sample fees may range from $20-$100 and may be credited toward the purchase. Allow for a small contingency if the home has older cabinets or nonstandard hardware.