Framed cabinets typically cost $150-$650 per linear foot installed, while frameless cabinets often run $175-$750, depending on construction, finish, and installation needs. For a standard 25- to 30-linear-foot kitchen, that puts many projects around $5,000-$18,000 before countertops, with custom work costing more.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Framed cabinets, installed | $150/linear ft | $350/linear ft | $650/linear ft | Stock to semi-custom; kitchen cabinet run |
| Frameless cabinets, installed | $175/linear ft | $400/linear ft | $750/linear ft | Stock to semi-custom; kitchen cabinet run |
| 25-30 linear feet, framed | $3,750 | $10,500 | $19,500 | Cabinet supply and installation |
| 25-30 linear feet, frameless | $4,375 | $12,000 | $22,500 | Cabinet supply and installation |
Assumptions: standard kitchen layout, midrange finish, ordinary access, and U.S. contractor labor; prices exclude countertops and major plumbing or electrical work.
Installed prices for framed and frameless kitchen cabinets
Framed cabinets have a face frame across the front of the cabinet box; frameless cabinets use thicker box sides and attach doors directly to the box. The construction style affects access and appearance, but door material, drawer hardware, finish, and customization usually drive more of the total quote.
For a typical kitchen, frameless cabinets may cost about 5%-15% more than comparable framed units. The gap can narrow for stock lines or widen when frameless cabinets include premium European hardware, thicker panels, or custom sizing. Stock cabinets can fall below the averages, while fully custom cabinetry may reach $800-$1,500 or more per linear foot installed.
What cabinet materials and installation add to the quote
Cabinet quotes may combine product, fitting, and job-site charges in different ways. The following ranges show common shares and rates for a 25- to 30-linear-foot kitchen; the total depends on cabinet grade and whether old units must be removed.
| Quote item | Framed range | Frameless range | Typical pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet boxes and doors | $3,000-$14,000 | $3,500-$16,000 | $100-$500 per linear ft |
| Installation labor | $1,500-$5,000 | $1,800-$5,500 | $50-$150 per linear ft |
| Hardware and accessories | $300-$2,000 | $500-$2,500 | $5-$40 per drawer pull; upgrades vary |
| Removal and disposal | $300-$1,200 | $300-$1,200 | $10-$30 per linear ft |
| Delivery and site protection | $150-$800 | $150-$900 | Flat fee or distance-based |
Compare what each quote includes, especially hardware, fillers, trim, delivery, and disposal. One bid may include installation but exclude demolition, while another bundles those charges. A labor estimate can be checked using ; cabinet installers commonly charge $50-$125 per hour, though some price by linear foot.
How box size, plywood, and door style change pricing
Cabinet construction and project dimensions can shift costs substantially. A 10-by-10-foot kitchen is often used as a pricing benchmark, but real layouts vary; islands, tall pantry units, and corner storage add cabinetry beyond the wall-run measurement.
- Cabinet grade: Stock particleboard boxes generally cost less than plywood boxes, which can add roughly 10%-25%. Solid-wood doors and specialty finishes may raise cabinet prices another 15%-40%.
- Run length and layout: Moving from 20 to 30 linear feet adds roughly one-third to the cabinet portion of the bill. Islands and unusual corners require extra panels, finished sides, or custom units.
- Frameless tolerances: Frameless doors need precise alignment and a square cabinet run. Uneven walls or floors can add $200-$1,000 in scribing, shimming, or filler work.
- Interior features: Pull-out trays, soft-close hinges, and drawer banks can add $50-$300 per cabinet, depending on the hardware and configuration.
Measure the full cabinet run and list upgrades separately before comparing bids. This makes it easier to see whether a price difference comes from the cabinet style or from added storage features.
Save by keeping the cabinet layout and options controlled
Keeping plumbing, appliances, and cabinet locations in place avoids redesign and trade work that can exceed the difference between framed and frameless boxes. Standard widths and stock finishes also reduce custom fabrication charges, while fewer decorative panels and specialty inserts help contain material costs.
Choose the construction style based on the desired look and storage, then compare equal specifications. Ask for separate prices for plywood boxes, soft-close hardware, pull-outs, and finished ends. Removing old cabinets independently may save money only if disposal and site protection are handled safely and the installer accepts the prepared space.
Which cabinet style gives more storage for the price
Frameless cabinets provide a slightly wider opening because there is no face frame across the front. That can make drawer access more convenient, particularly in narrow units. Framed construction has a front frame that can add rigidity and is common in traditional and transitional door designs.
Neither style automatically delivers more usable storage across an entire kitchen. The effect depends on cabinet dimensions, drawer layout, and interior fittings. For a fair price comparison, request the same number and size of cabinets, equivalent door material, finish, drawer slides, and accessories. Frameless doors may require adjustment over time if hinges loosen, but both styles benefit from quality hardware and correct installation.
How many labor hours a cabinet installation takes
A straightforward 25- to 30-linear-foot replacement commonly takes a two-person crew about 2-4 days, or roughly 32-64 combined labor hours, after the room is ready. Custom layouts, leveling problems, appliance panels, and trim details can stretch the work to a week or more. Frameless installation may take extra adjustment time when walls are uneven or gaps must be carefully aligned.
Labor is more predictable when demolition, floor repairs, and electrical or plumbing changes are excluded or priced separately. Confirm whether the estimate includes leveling, fillers, crown molding, toe kicks, door adjustment, and cleanup; omissions can become change orders.
Three kitchen quotes show the framed-frameless price gap
These examples use ordinary access and midrange finishes, with countertops and major trade work excluded. Local labor and cabinet brand can move the totals.
| Project | Cabinet scope | Labor estimate | Framed total | Frameless total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact kitchen | 20 linear ft, stock | 30-40 hours | $4,000-$7,500 | $4,500-$8,500 |
| Typical kitchen | 28 linear ft, semi-custom | 40-60 hours | $8,000-$16,000 | $9,000-$18,000 |
| Large kitchen with island | 40 linear ft, upgraded finish | 60-90 hours | $15,000-$28,000 | $17,000-$32,000 |
Assumptions: totals include cabinet supply and installation; island cabinets are included in the large-kitchen linear footage.
Regional labor rates shift installed cabinet prices
Labor and delivery are usually higher in dense, high-cost metro areas than in many rural markets. Compared with the national midrange, installed cabinet quotes may run about 10%-25% higher in major coastal metros, 5%-15% higher in other large cities, and 5%-15% lower in lower-cost rural areas. These are broad comparisons, not fixed regional rates; local cabinet availability and contractor demand also matter.
Compare at least three bids from contractors serving the same area and using the same cabinet specifications. Ask whether sales tax, delivery distance, stair carries, and old-cabinet disposal are included, since those charges can make two otherwise similar quotes look different.