Express Kitchens cost depends on whether the project covers cabinets alone or a full kitchen remodel, plus cabinet style, room size, installation, and local labor rates. A cabinet-focused project may run about $8,000-$20,000, while a broader remodel commonly reaches $20,000-$50,000 or more; an in-home quote is needed for a firm price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets with installation | $8,000 | $14,000 | $24,000 | Typical 10-by-10-foot kitchen, standard options |
| Cabinets only | $5,000 | $10,000 | $18,000 | Depends on cabinet count and finish |
| Full kitchen remodel | $20,000 | $35,000 | $60,000+ | May include counters, flooring, plumbing, and electrical |
| Cabinet pricing by linear foot | $150 | $350 | $700+ | Installed estimate; layout and finish affect rate |
Estimates are planning ranges, not a published Express Kitchens price list. Actual quotes depend on location, measurements, selected products, and the work included.
What a typical Express Kitchens project costs
For a standard 10-by-10-foot kitchen, a cabinet replacement with installation often falls around $8,000-$20,000. A modest selection with stock or entry-level semi-custom cabinets may be near the low end; upgraded finishes, more storage features, and complex layouts push the quote higher. A larger kitchen or premium cabinet package can exceed $25,000 before counters and other trades are added.
Budget about $14,000 for a middle-range cabinet-and-installation project. That planning figure assumes roughly 20-30 linear feet of cabinetry, standard-size boxes, ordinary wall conditions, and no major layout changes. Cabinet-only material pricing may run $5,000-$18,000, with installation and removal priced separately. Per-linear-foot comparisons are useful for early budgeting, but they do not replace a measured cabinet plan.
A full remodel is a different scope. Adding countertops, backsplash, flooring, appliance changes, plumbing, and electrical work can bring a typical project to $20,000-$50,000, with extensive renovations exceeding $60,000. Ask whether the Express Kitchens quote includes only the cabinet package or coordinates the entire project; the difference can be substantial.
How cabinet, labor, and removal charges add up
Quotes can bundle products and services differently, so compare the written scope rather than just the bottom-line amount. The following ranges illustrate common portions of a cabinet replacement for a typical kitchen. A contractor may combine delivery, installation, and disposal into one line item.
| Quote component | Low | Typical | High | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet materials | $5,000 | $10,000 | $18,000+ | Door style, finish, box construction, and storage options |
| Installation labor | $2,000 | $4,000 | $7,000 | Cabinet count, leveling, trim, and fitting |
| Removal and disposal | $400 | $900 | $1,800 | Existing cabinet volume and disposal access |
| Delivery and accessories | $200 | $700 | $1,500 | Distance, delivery needs, organizers, and hardware |
| Permits or trade work | $0 | $500 | $3,000+ | Local rules and plumbing or electrical changes |
Cabinets and installation usually make up most of a cabinet-only quote. Labor may be billed as a project amount or estimated by hours; a broad planning rate for skilled installation is $50-$100 per hour, but many firms price the complete installation instead.
Check whether the quote covers fillers, toe kicks, crown molding, panels, handles, and adjustments for uneven walls. These items can look minor on a plan but add cost when priced separately. Confirm whether sales tax, delivery, disposal, and any required permits are included or listed as additional charges.
Cabinet count, finish, and layout drive the estimate
Kitchen size is a useful starting point, but cabinet count and configuration are better predictors of price. A small galley may need 15-20 linear feet of cabinets, while an L-shaped kitchen with an island can require 30-40 feet. More cabinets mean more material, hardware, installation time, and finishing pieces.
Each added cabinet run or specialty unit can change both materials and labor. Deep drawers, pull-out trays, corner mechanisms, pantry towers, glass doors, and finished end panels cost more than simple base and wall cabinets. A pantry unit may add several hundred dollars or more, depending on size and finish. Compare the exact cabinet schedule, not just the style name.
Door material and finish also matter. A basic laminate or entry-level painted option may keep a typical package near $5,000-$9,000 for cabinets alone. Mid-range painted or wood-look cabinetry can bring materials to roughly $9,000-$15,000. Premium wood species, custom dimensions, glaze, or extensive decorative detailing can take a cabinet package beyond $18,000.
Keeping the sink, range, and refrigerator in their current locations generally avoids costly plumbing and electrical changes. Moving a sink or gas line, adding an island, or changing a wall may add $1,000-$5,000 or more depending on permits and trade work. Assumptions: U.S. mid-market labor, ordinary access, standard cabinet depths, and no structural changes.
Regional labor rates shift installed cabinet prices
Local labor, delivery distance, disposal charges, and contractor availability affect the final quote. As a broad planning comparison, installed cabinet projects in lower-cost rural or smaller-market areas may price 5%-15% below a national mid-market estimate. Large metro areas in the Northeast, West Coast, and some high-demand cities can run 10%-25% above it.
For a $14,000 mid-market cabinet project, regional variation could mean roughly $12,000-$17,500. These are directional differences, not fixed regional tariffs. A rural location may have lower hourly labor rates but higher delivery or travel fees; an urban project may face parking, elevator, or limited-access charges that offset some savings.
Request quotes from providers that measure the same room and specify the same product tier. Compare delivery, installation, removal, and warranty terms alongside the price. If an estimate is unusually low, confirm that it includes installation materials and finishing work rather than only the cabinet boxes.
Installation hours and project timing affect labor
Removing old cabinets and installing new ones in a straightforward kitchen often takes a small crew about 2-5 working days, excluding countertop fabrication and other trades. A simple replacement may require roughly 30-50 labor hours; a larger layout with extensive trim, leveling, or modifications can take 60-100 hours or more.
Cabinet installation becomes more expensive when site conditions slow fitting. Uneven floors, out-of-square walls, hidden water damage, tight stairways, and difficult parking can add time. Before work begins, ask who handles appliance disconnection, floor protection, plumbing reconnection, and cleanup. These tasks may fall outside the cabinet installer’s scope.
Scheduling is also relevant. A project requiring a short turnaround may involve additional labor or rescheduling fees, while a long gap between cabinet delivery and installation can create storage or handling costs. Confirm expected lead time, delivery date, installation duration, and what happens if a cabinet arrives damaged or a measurement needs correction.
Three kitchen layouts show how quotes can differ
These examples illustrate how scope changes a realistic budget. They are not official Express Kitchens offers; local labor, product selections, and taxes can change the totals. Countertops and appliances are excluded unless stated.
| Example | Scope and labor | Estimated total | Approximate cabinet rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small galley | 18 linear feet, basic finish, 35 labor hours, removal | $8,500-$12,000 | $250-$400 per linear foot installed |
| Mid-size L-shaped kitchen | 26 linear feet, mid-range doors, 50 labor hours, organizers | $13,000-$20,000 | $350-$550 per linear foot installed |
| Large kitchen with island | 38 linear feet, upgraded finish, 80 labor hours, decorative panels | $23,000-$34,000 | $500-$850 per linear foot installed |
The large-kitchen example costs more because it combines greater cabinet volume, upgraded features, and longer installation. An island may add cabinetry, finished panels, and electrical work; the table does not include a new countertop or moving plumbing. For a full remodel, adding counters, flooring, backsplash, and trade work can add $8,000-$25,000 or more.
When reviewing an estimate, check that the cabinet quantities and dimensions match the measured plan. Make sure labor hours or installation charges cover trim and adjustment work, not just hanging boxes. Compare like-for-like door styles, drawer construction, hardware, and warranty coverage before deciding that one quote is less expensive.
Removal, countertops, and trade work can expand the total
Old cabinet removal commonly adds about $400-$1,800, depending on kitchen size, how cabinets are attached, and disposal access. If the project includes lead-safe handling, extensive debris, or difficult hauling, the charge may be higher. Some installers expect the homeowner to clear the room or arrange a separate disposal service.
Countertops and plumbing changes are common reasons a cabinet estimate becomes a remodel budget. New laminate counters may cost roughly $20-$50 per square foot installed, while mid-range quartz often runs $50-$120 per square foot installed. Sink and faucet replacement can add about $300-$1,500, excluding major plumbing relocation.
Other possible extras include backsplash installation at around $15-$40 per square foot, flooring at $5-$15 per square foot installed, and electrical changes that may cost several hundred to several thousand dollars. These are broad U.S. ranges; material choice, demolition, and local code requirements matter. Ask for separate allowances so optional work is not hidden inside a bundled total.
Which scope choices lower an Express Kitchens quote?
Keeping the existing kitchen footprint is usually the most effective way to control cost. Retaining the sink, range, and appliance locations can avoid plumbing, gas, and electrical relocation. A simpler cabinet layout with standard widths and fewer specialty units can reduce both product cost and fitting time.
Choose upgrades by daily use, not by appearance alone. Prioritize durable construction and the storage features that solve a real problem, then price decorative panels, glass fronts, premium finishes, and organizers individually. A standard finish may save hundreds or several thousand dollars across a full cabinet package, depending on room size and product tier.
Compare at least two or three itemized estimates based on the same measurements and specifications. Verify cabinet quantities, installation, removal, delivery, accessories, and warranty in each. A low quote that excludes trim or disposal may cost more after those items are added. Ask whether a repair or replacing only damaged units is feasible when cabinet boxes remain sound and matchable.
Homeowners can reduce labor by clearing cabinets, removing loose items, and confirming access before delivery, if the installer permits that preparation. Avoid paying for rushed scheduling unless the time savings justify the added fee. Assumptions: savings depend on the provider’s scope; homeowner preparation should not include electrical, plumbing, or structural work without qualified help.