New kitchen doors cost about $2,000-$5,500 for a typical 20-door replacement, with lower prices for stock laminate and higher prices for custom solid wood. Door material, size, finish, hardware, installation, and whether drawer fronts or hinges are included make the largest difference in the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single replacement door | $35 | $110 | $350 | Per door, before installation |
| Installed door and drawer-front project | $1,200 | $3,800 | $8,500 | About 15-25 doors and fronts |
| Installation labor | $25 | $50 | $90 | Per door, depending on fitting work |
| Custom solid-wood door | $150 | $275 | $500 | Per door, specialty profiles can exceed this |
What New Kitchen Cabinet Doors Cost by Door Count
For a common 10-by-10-foot kitchen with about 20 cabinet doors and 5 drawer fronts, a replacement project usually totals $2,000-$5,500 installed. A basic stock-door order with simple hardware may fall near $1,200-$2,500, while made-to-measure painted or hardwood fronts can reach $5,500-$8,500 or more.
Individual prices vary by construction and finish. Stock thermofoil or simple laminate doors often cost $35-$90 each; standard painted MDF or shaker doors commonly run $70-$180; and solid-wood doors generally range from $120-$350. Custom sizes, raised panels, glazing, or unusual stains can push a single door above $500.
Drawer fronts are typically $25-$100 for stock options and $60-$200 for custom or solid-wood pieces. These figures assume the existing cabinet boxes are sound and remain in place. Assumptions: Standard U.S. kitchen, accessible cabinets, no cabinet-box repairs, and midrange materials. For a 20-door kitchen, budgeting around $3,000-$4,500 covers many standard installed replacements.
How Door Materials, Hardware, and Labor Shape the Quote
Door-only pricing is just one part of a contractor’s estimate. The quote may also include measuring, hinge adjustments, removal of old fronts, disposal, new pulls, delivery, and site protection. Confirm whether the per-door price covers finishing: unfinished wood is cheaper at purchase, but staining or painting adds labor and materials.
| Quote component | Typical range | Unit or scope | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock doors | $35-$180 | Per door | Material, profile, size, finish |
| Custom wood doors | $150-$500 | Per door | Species, panel, custom dimensions |
| Installation labor | $25-$90 | Per door | Hinge drilling, alignment, adjustments |
| Hinges and pulls | $5-$35 | Per door, typical allowance | Soft-close hardware and finish |
| Removal and disposal | $100-$500 | Per project | Door count and disposal distance |
| Delivery and finishing | $100-$900 | Per project | Shipping, paint, stain, job size |
Some installers charge by the hour instead of per door. Rates commonly run $50-$100 per hour, often with a minimum service charge of $150-$300. A 20-door job requiring 8-14 hours at $60-$85 per hour would have roughly $480-$1,190 in labor before any minimum, travel fee, or finishing work.
Hinges may be reused if they are compatible and in good condition, but mismatched hinge spacing can require new hinges or additional drilling. Ask for separate line items for doors, drawer fronts, hardware, finishing, labor, and disposal so the quote can be compared fairly.
Which Door Sizes and Wood Choices Raise the Price?
Size and quantity affect both the material bill and the amount of fitting work. A standard cabinet door around 12 by 30 inches is usually less expensive than a tall pantry door measuring 24 by 84 inches. Oversized pieces may need thicker material, special shipping, or extra support, and a custom size can cost 20%-60% more than a comparable stock door.
Material choice changes the price and appearance. MDF is a common base for smooth painted doors, typically $70-$180 per door in standard profiles. Oak and maple doors often cost $120-$300, while cherry or walnut may run $180-$500 because of material cost and selection. Thermofoil is often a lower-priced, easy-clean choice, but heat near ovens or dishwashers can affect the coating over time.
Profile complexity also adds expense. A flat slab is generally cheaper than a raised-panel or five-piece shaker door. Glazed inserts, decorative edging, unusual grain matching, and premium conversion finishes may add $25-$150 or more per door. Measure each opening and record the exact door dimensions, hinge location, and overlay before ordering.
Existing cabinets can create additional labor if openings are out of square or old hinges used a different drilling pattern. A contractor may need to fill old holes, drill new cup holes, adjust the overlay, or plane a door for clearance. A 1/8-inch mismatch may be correctable, while substantially uneven boxes can require repairs before replacement fronts align properly.
Can Replacing Doors Beat Full Cabinet Refacing?
Replacing doors is often the less expensive choice when the cabinet boxes are sturdy, the layout works, and only the visible fronts look dated. Door replacement for a typical kitchen commonly costs $2,000-$5,500 installed. Refacing usually includes new doors plus veneer or laminate on exposed cabinet frames and ends, and often runs $5,000-$12,000 for a mid-sized kitchen.
Full cabinet replacement is a different scope. New stock cabinets and installation may cost $8,000-$20,000, while semi-custom or custom cabinetry can exceed $20,000-$40,000 depending on layout and finish. These totals can rise further if countertops, plumbing, electrical work, flooring, or backsplash changes are included.
Door-only work does not correct damaged boxes, poor cabinet layout, water-swollen particleboard, or failing drawer slides. If the boxes need extensive repair or the kitchen requires a new configuration, a door quote can be a false economy. Compare the cost of new fronts with a full refacing quote that spells out frame covering, side panels, hardware, and warranty coverage.
Painted cabinet boxes can be a middle-ground option if the current doors are structurally sound but the finish is dated. Professional cabinet painting commonly costs $2,000-$6,000 for a typical kitchen, but it does not replace worn hinges or damaged doors. A combined plan may cost more up front while avoiding repeated work, so compare the complete scope rather than the door price alone.
What Installers Charge for Measuring and Hanging Doors
A professional typically spends 8-16 hours installing a straightforward set of 20-25 doors and drawer fronts, including basic adjustments. Complex kitchens with corner cabinets, appliance panels, unusual overlays, or extensive hinge changes may take 2-3 workdays. The labor range is commonly $500-$1,800 for a standard project, depending on local rates and what preparation is included.
Measurement and ordering may be included in a full-service quote or charged separately. A site-measure visit can cost $75-$250, sometimes credited toward the project. Installation-only minimums of $150-$300 are common for small jobs. If doors are shipped to the homeowner, verify that the installer will check dimensions and condition before removing the existing set.
Timing depends on the supplier as well as the installer. Stock doors may be available in days or a few weeks; custom doors often take 4-10 weeks, with extra time for paint or stain curing. Incorrect dimensions can mean a replacement order and another delay, so confirm the supplier’s policy for remakes and the installer’s responsibility for measuring.
Labor estimates should state whether the crew removes old doors, transfers pulls, installs new hinges, aligns gaps, adjusts drawer fronts, and takes away packaging. Compare the completed scope and estimated hours, not only the hourly rate or advertised per-door charge.
How Kitchen Door Prices Shift Across U.S. Regions
Labor and delivery create regional differences even when the same door is used. In lower-cost rural and Midwestern markets, installed replacement work may be 5%-15% below the national midrange. Large coastal metros and high-cost urban areas can run 15%-35% above it, particularly where contractor minimums, parking, and building access add time.
For the same 20-door standard project, a rural quote might land around $1,800-$4,500, while a major-market quote could be $3,000-$7,000. These are broad planning ranges, not fixed regional tariffs; the door material and finishing specification can outweigh geography. Remote locations may also face higher freight charges or limited installer availability.
Climate and seasonal demand can affect schedules more than the base door price. Spring and summer remodeling demand may make it harder to book an installer quickly, while winter can bring more availability in some regions. Rush fabrication or expedited delivery can add 10%-25% to the relevant product or freight charge.
Local sales tax treatment varies, and some quotes show tax separately while others include it in the total. Ask whether freight, disposal, and tax are included, especially when comparing a local cabinet shop with an online supplier. Get at least two local, itemized quotes using the same door count, material, finish, and hardware specification.
Three Sample Quotes for 10, 20, and 30 Doors
The examples below illustrate how project size and product grade affect totals. Each assumes existing cabinet boxes remain, ordinary access, and no major repairs. Actual quotes depend on measurements, local labor, shipping, tax, and whether drawer fronts are counted separately.
| Example scope | Doors and fronts | Material rate | Labor and extras | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small stock refresh | 10 doors, 3 fronts | $55-$100 each | $450-$900 | $1,200-$2,300 |
| Mid-size shaker upgrade | 20 doors, 5 fronts | $85-$180 each | $900-$1,700 | $2,800-$5,500 |
| Large custom hardwood order | 30 doors, 8 fronts | $160-$350 each | $1,600-$3,000 | $7,000-$14,000 |
In the small example, basic stock fronts and reused hinges keep the bill down; a small-job labor minimum still applies. The mid-size estimate allows for standard painted shaker doors, new hinges on some cabinets, and normal fitting. The larger example uses custom hardwood, more installation hours, and a higher allowance for freight and finishing.
For a 20-door kitchen, a quote near $3,500 might include $2,100 in doors, $850 in labor, $250 in hinges and pulls, and $300 in delivery and removal. A price near $6,000 may be reasonable if it includes custom dimensions, premium finish, new soft-close hardware, and substantial alignment work. Use the line items to identify why one estimate differs rather than assuming the lower total includes the same work.
How to Cut the Kitchen Door Bill Without Sacrificing Fit
Keep the existing cabinet boxes and layout when they are structurally sound; moving cabinets or changing appliance locations can turn a door project into a larger renovation. Standard-size stock doors typically cost less than custom pieces, so check whether the openings can use a common size without compromising spacing or appearance.
Reuse hinges and pulls only when they are compatible, functional, and visually acceptable. Reusing them can save $5-$35 per door, but worn hinges may cause sagging or uneven gaps. If replacing hardware, choose it before the doors are drilled so the cup holes and handle locations match the specification.
Limit finish upgrades to the doors that need them. A standard painted MDF door may be more economical than premium hardwood, and a simple slab or shaker profile usually costs less than carved or raised-panel styles. Ask for separate pricing on glazing, specialty stains, soft-close hinges, and upgraded drawer fronts rather than accepting a package that includes every add-on.
Measure carefully, but do not order from rough estimates alone. Have the supplier or installer confirm dimensions, overlay, hinge bore locations, and door swing. Mistakes can erase savings through remake charges and delays. Request a written measurement and damage policy, especially for custom orders, which may not be returnable.
Compare quotes for the same number of doors, finish, edge profile, hardware, removal, and installation. Scheduling during a less busy period may improve availability, though it does not guarantee a discount. The most reliable savings come from controlling the specification and avoiding unneeded upgrades, not choosing doors that fail to fit the existing cabinets.