Buying new kitchen cabinets involves a mix of material, labor, and install time, all centered on the overall cost. This article lays out typical price ranges for cabinet replacement, clarifies what drives the cost, and helps buyers plan a budget without surprises. The term cost is used throughout to reflect real-world pricing for U.S. projects.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total project price | $4,000 | $8,500 | $18,000 | Based on 10–12 cabinets, standard grade, mid-range labor |
| Per cabinet price | $350 | $750 | $1,800 | Includes doors, boxes, hardware |
| Per linear foot | $200 | $420 | $900 | Typical for box-and-door layouts |
| Regional variation | – | – | – | Coastal vs. inland and urban vs. rural |
Assumptions: Midwest labor rates, standard plywood boxes, thermofoil or wood doors, standard 8–10 ft ceilings, typical 10–12 cabinet run, standard delivery within 50 miles.
Cost Breakdown for Cabinet Replacement by Material Type
Material choice largely dictates price besides labor. Stock cabinets are cheapest, semi-custom mid-range, and custom high-end. Assumptions: standard box construction, 3/4-inch plywood or MDF, standard hinges, and factory finishes.
- Stock/Ready-to-assemble: $4,000–$8,000 total, $350–$900 per cabinet.
- Mid-range semi-custom: $8,000–$14,000 total, $700–$1,400 per cabinet.
- Custom solid-wood: $14,000–$28,000 total, $1,200–$2,500 per cabinet.
- Laminate or thermofoil finishes: typically $350–$1,000 per cabinet, depending on edge treatment.
| Material | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | $4,000 | $6,500 | $8,000 | Fast lead times |
| Semi-custom | $6,500 | $11,000 | $14,000 | Better fit options |
| Custom solid wood | $14,000 | $20,000 | $28,000 | Highest durability and design flexibility |
| Finish/laminate | $1,000 | $3,000 | $7,000 | Depends on color, texture, edge details |
Kitchen size and cabinet run length are the main cost drivers. A typical 10–12 cabinet run with a 14–18 ft wall length costs less than a 20+ cabinet layout or two-wall island plan. Assumptions: standard 24 in deep upper and 24 in low base cabinets, 9 ft ceilings.
- Small kitchen (8–10 cabinets): $4,000–$7,500
- Medium kitchen (10–14 cabinets): $7,500–$12,000
- Large kitchen (15–20+ cabinets): $12,000–$20,000
Per-linear-foot pricing is common for lines with long runs. Expect $200–$900 per linear foot depending on material and whether you include an island. Formula: total cost ≈ linear feet × per-foot price plus fixtures.
Labor rates vary by region and crew size. Regional differences can add or subtract hundreds to thousands from the project total. Assumptions: 2–3 installers, standard installation, no custom modulations.
- Rural Midwest: $75–$125 per hour
- Suburban Northeast: $95–$150 per hour
- Coastal California: $120–$180 per hour
| Region | Labor Range per hour | Estimated hours (12 cabinets) | Labor cost range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest rural | $75–$100 | 18–24 | $1,350–$2,400 |
| Suburban Northeast | $95–$140 | 22–28 | $2,090–$3,920 |
| Coastal California | $120–$180 | 24–32 | $2,880–$5,760 |
Unit pricing helps when comparing quotes side-by-side. Per cabinet costs cover doors, frames, and pulls; per linear foot often appears in layout bids. Assumptions: standard hinge, soft-close option, mid-range hardware.
- Per cabinet (base): $350–$900
- Per cabinet (high-end): $1,000–$1,800
- Per linear foot (across walls): $200–$900
Estimate example: 12 cabinets at $700 each plus 18 ft of wall at $500/ft equals roughly $9,400 plus hardware and removal.
Add-ons often swing costs more than expected. Hardware upgrades, soft-close hinges, crown molding, and lighting cutouts add to the total. Assumptions: standard under-cabinet lighting installed with dimmers.
- Soft-close hardware: $15–$50 per cabinet
- Glass doors or inserts: $50–$150 per door
- Interior organizers and pull-outs: $100–$400 per cabinet
- Lighting cutouts and wiring: $200–$600 total
| Addon | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft-close hinges | $180 | $420 | $900 | Typical mid-range hardware |
| Glass inserts | $100 | $350 | $1,000 | Decorative option |
| Pull-out organizers | $150 | $350 | $800 | Varies by cabinet type |
| Under-cabinet lighting | $150 | $350 | $600 | Includes wiring and switches |
Disposal adds to the budget and can surprise buyers. Demolition and haul-away typically run in the low thousands, depending on quantity and local disposal fees. Assumptions: existing cabinets are removed, recycled where possible.
- Removal only: $400–$1,200
- Haul-away and disposal: $600–$1,800
- Recycling or donation credit: $0–$400
| Service | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remove existing | $400 | $800 | $1,200 | Labor and haul-off |
| Disposal/haul-away | $600 | $1,200 | $1,800 | Landfill or recycling fees |
| Credit for reusable parts | $0 | $100 | $400 | Depends on cabinets |
Seasonal demand can shift prices by 10–20%. Scheduling during non-peak months may secure better labor availability and shorter lead times. Assumptions: typical project duration 2–4 weeks, no major remodels.
- Spring: moderate price uptick due to demand
- Summer: longer lead times, higher availability costs
- Fall/Winter: potential discounts or promotions
Prefab cabinets save time and money, while custom offers tailored fit. Differences show up in lead times, fit on awkward spaces, and resale value. Assumptions: standard kitchen geometry; island considered separately.
- Prefab: 4–8 weeks lead time, 30–60% of custom price
- Custom: 8–16 weeks lead time, 100%+ premium over prefab
| Option | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prefab typical kitchen | $6,000 | $10,000 | $14,000 | Stock or semi-custom options |
| Custom solid wood | $12,000 | $20,000 | $28,000 | Design freedom, precise fit |
Reusable quotes help buyers compare apples-to-apples. When comparing, request itemized line items for materials, labor, delivery, removal, and disposal. Formula: quoted total = sum of all line items.