IKEA kitchen cabinets cost about $100-$300 per linear foot for cabinets and fronts, or roughly $250-$600 per linear foot with professional installation. The final price depends on kitchen layout, door style, interior fittings, labor, delivery, and how much cabinet assembly or site preparation is needed.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets and fronts | $100/linear ft | $200/linear ft | $300/linear ft | Boxes, doors, drawer fronts, and basic hardware |
| Installed cabinet run | $250/linear ft | $400/linear ft | $600/linear ft | Cabinet package plus typical installation labor |
| Typical 20-linear-foot kitchen | $5,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 | Cabinets and installation; counters and appliances excluded |
What IKEA SEKTION cabinets cost per linear foot
For a typical U.S. kitchen, IKEA SEKTION cabinet materials run about $100-$300 per linear foot, with a common midrange budget near $200. This estimate covers cabinet frames, standard fronts, hinges or drawer hardware, and basic interior fittings. It does not include countertops, appliances, plumbing, electrical work, or wall repair.
Installed pricing commonly lands between $250 and $600 per linear foot. The lower end assumes a simple layout, affordable fronts, and straightforward installation; the upper end reflects more drawers, premium fronts, trim, custom fitting, or higher local labor rates. Assumptions: standard-size SEKTION cabinets, typical U.S. labor, normal access, and no major utility or structural changes.
For a 20-foot cabinet run, a practical installed budget is about $5,000-$12,000 before countertops and appliances. Linear-foot estimates work best for rough comparisons; a cabinet-by-cabinet plan gives a more dependable quote because corners, tall units, and drawer bases vary in price.
How cabinet boxes, fronts, and labor shape the quote
Materials and installation are the largest parts of most IKEA cabinet estimates. Assembly may be included in an installer’s labor rate or billed separately, so quotes should specify whether the cabinets arrive assembled and who handles leveling, fastening, fillers, and trim.
| Quote component | Typical price | What it covers | Cost note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frames, fronts, hardware | $100-$300 per linear ft | Cabinet boxes, doors, drawers, hinges | Door style and drawer count affect price |
| Assembly and installation | $75-$150 per labor hour | Build, level, secure, and align cabinets | Commonly 20-40 hours for an average kitchen |
| Delivery | $49-$199 per order | Shipment to the home | May vary by order size and location |
| Removal and disposal | $300-$1,000 per kitchen | Take out and haul away existing cabinets | More if walls or counters need extra work |
| Fillers, panels, trim | $200-$1,000 per kitchen | Finish exposed ends and gaps | Depends on layout and finish choices |
A 30-hour installation at $100 per hour adds $3,000 in labor, before removal or repairs. Ask whether the quote includes assembly, fillers, end panels, toe kicks, and disposal.
Which kitchen dimensions and door finishes raise price
Cabinet length is only one driver. A 10-by-10 kitchen may have around 20-25 linear feet of cabinets, but two rooms with the same footage can have very different totals. A layout with many corner units, pull-out trays, and drawer bases usually costs more than one with standard door cabinets.
Door and drawer fronts can shift the materials budget by hundreds or thousands of dollars. Basic fronts help keep the estimate near $100-$180 per linear foot, while upgraded finishes, more drawers, glass doors, or decorative panels can push it toward $250-$300 or higher. Tall pantry cabinets also cost more per foot than simple base or wall cabinets.
Layout changes add labor and sometimes trade work. Moving a sink or range, correcting uneven floors, or fitting cabinets around out-of-square walls can raise the project total beyond the cabinet estimate. Measure each run separately and count tall units, corners, and drawer stacks instead of treating every foot as the same price.
Where installation labor changes the IKEA cabinet total
Professional installation often takes about 20-40 hours for a straightforward kitchen, including assembly and hanging or setting the cabinets. A larger room, extensive drawer assembly, detailed scribe work, or difficult access can extend the job. Independent installers may charge $75-$150 per hour, while some quote a fixed project rate.
Regional labor rates can move the installed price. Major coastal cities and high-cost metro areas may run roughly 15%-30% above a typical national estimate; smaller markets may be 10%-20% below it. Travel, parking, stairs, and limited delivery access may add charges, particularly where several delivery trips are needed.
Removal, wall patching, and disposal are often quoted separately. Replacing cabinets without changing the layout is generally less expensive than a remodel involving new flooring, electrical circuits, plumbing, or code upgrades. Compare labor scope and exclusions, not just the installer’s per-foot rate.
How IKEA cabinets compare with stock and semi-custom options
IKEA materials often cost less than semi-custom cabinetry, but the total gap narrows when a project needs extensive assembly, custom fitting, or upgraded fronts. Stock cabinets commonly cost about $100-$300 per linear foot for materials, while semi-custom options may run $150-$650 per linear foot. Installed prices vary widely by brand, construction, and market.
IKEA’s modular sizing can limit fit in unusual rooms. Fillers and cover panels can close small gaps, but custom cabinets may suit irregular walls or specialized dimensions better. Conversely, a standard layout with commonly available sizes may keep IKEA’s material pricing competitive.
Compare complete, equivalent packages: same cabinet footage, door quality, drawer hardware, delivery, and installation. A low cabinet-only price is not directly comparable to a quote that includes assembly and fitting.
Three IKEA cabinet estimates for common kitchen runs
These examples use approximate U.S. pricing and exclude counters, appliances, tax, and plumbing or electrical changes. The labor allowance assumes standard access and a professional installer.
| Scenario | Cabinet scope | Labor allowance | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small galley | 15 linear ft at $150-$210 per ft | 20 hours at $85-$110 per hour | $3,950-$5,400 |
| Average L-shaped kitchen | 22 linear ft at $180-$250 per ft | 30 hours at $90-$120 per hour | $6,660-$9,100 |
| Large kitchen with pantry units | 30 linear ft at $230-$320 per ft | 40 hours at $100-$140 per hour | $10,900-$15,200 |
Totals may rise with removal, fillers, panels, delivery, or wall repairs. The large-kitchen example costs more per foot because tall pantry cabinets and upgraded fittings increase the material allowance.
Which choices lower the price without cutting cabinet capacity
Keep plumbing and appliance locations in place when the existing layout works. Reusing those connections can avoid separate trade costs that are not reflected in a cabinet-only estimate. Choose standard cabinet widths where possible, and use basic fronts or a mix of simple doors with a few upgraded focal-point cabinets.
Before ordering, confirm measurements, ceiling height, appliance clearances, and wall conditions. Accurate planning helps prevent extra panels, replacement parts, or installer return visits. Compare at least two itemized installation quotes and check whether each includes cabinet assembly, leveling, trim, removal, and disposal.
Some homeowners assemble cabinets themselves, but installation still requires accurate leveling and secure attachment. A mistake can affect door alignment or countertop fitting. Control the layout and finish choices first, then compare labor quotes using the same written scope.