How Much Do New Kitchen Cabinets Really Cost? We Break It Down

If you're considering a kitchen remodel, one of the biggest investments will be new cabinets. But how much should you actually budget for new kitchen cabinets? The cost can vary quite a bit based on the size of your space, type of cabinets, materials, and more.

We'll also provide average pricing estimates so you can get a realistic sense of what to expect before starting your kitchen cabinet replacement project.

Cabinet Types

The type of cabinet construction you choose - stock, semi-custom, or custom - is one of the biggest variables affecting the total price. Let's take a look at each option in-depth:

Stock Cabinets

Stock kitchen cabinets are mass-produced in standard sizes and come ready to assemble. This makes them the most affordable type of cabinet, with prices averaging $100-$500 per linear foot installed.

Pros: Stock cabinets are the least expensive option. You can also typically get them much faster than custom cabinets.

Cons: You are limited to standard sizes, so stock cabinets are not ideal for odd-shaped kitchens. Customization options are very minimal.

Semi-Custom Cabinets

Semi-custom cabinets provide a middle ground between stock and custom. They are pre-fabricated but offer some customizable options like finishes, hardware, and storage solutions.

Semi-custom cabinets typically cost $150-$700 per linear foot installed. They provide much more flexibility than stock cabinets to get the look you want.

Pros: More sizes and layouts to fit your specific kitchen. More customization for finishes and storage options.

Cons: Still some sizing limitations. Pricing can add up with multiple customizations.

Custom Cabinets

As the name implies, custom cabinets are built from scratch specifically for your kitchen's layout and your design preferences. Everything from the dimensions to materials to styling can be customized.

The sky is the limit with full customization, but it comes at a price. Expect to pay an average of $500-$1,200+ per linear foot for quality custom kitchen cabinets installed.

Pros: Fully customized for your exact kitchen design, storage needs, and style preferences.

Cons: Much higher cost. Can take weeks or months for production and installation.

Cabinet Materials

After cabinet construction, the next biggest factor affecting cost is the material used to build the cabinets.

Some of most common kitchen cabinet materials include:

• Solid wood
• Engineered wood
• Laminate
• Thermofoil

Solid hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry are on the premium end of the spectrum. Not only does solid wood cost more, it requires extra labor for installation and finishing.

Engineered wood products like plywood and medium density fiberboard (MDF) offer a more affordable option. Laminates and thermofoil are the most budget-friendly.

Wood Species

For solid wood cabinets, the wood species impacts the cost. For example, cherry and maple typically cost $60-$100 per square foot, while premium woods like hickory and walnut range from $100-$200 per square foot installed.

Exotic woods can cost even more, but provide exceptional visual appeal and durability. Always ask about the grade of lumber as well - higher grades have fewer natural flaws.

Laminates

High pressure laminate (HPL) finishes typically cost $40-$75 per square foot installed. They consist of sheets of resin-saturated paper bonded to a plywood or MDF core.

Pros of laminate cabinets are affordability and good resistance to impact, moisture, and wear-and-tear. The downside is laminates don't have the same visual warmth and depth as real wood.

Thermofoil

Thermofoil cabinets feature a thin plastic film layer bonded to a wood substrate, typically MDF. Pricing is similar to laminate at $30-$60 per square foot installed.

The advantage of thermofoil is easy maintenance - the seamless film resists moisture damage. But thermofoil can warp or bubble over time, reducing the lifespan of these budget cabinets.

Cabinet Finishes

The finishes applied to kitchen cabinets also impact the total price due to material costs and labor time.

Common cabinet finish options include:

• Paint
• Stain
• Glazes
• Distressing

Painted finishes tend to be the most cost-effective, adding $500-$1000 to the overall project cost. Stains cost slightly more, averaging $1500-$2000 for materials and application.

Paint

A proper painted cabinet finish requires careful preparation and multiple coats of primer and paint. Expect to pay at least $500 for materials and labor for a 10x10 kitchen.

Pros of painted cabinets are easy maintenance and a wide range of color options. Chalk and milk paints create a distressed vintage look at a lower cost than glazing.

Stain

Stains penetrate the wood grain rather than coating the surface which enhances the natural beauty. Price depends on the number of stain coats and complexity of the steps which can include glazing, distressing, waxing, etc.

Pros are a richer, deeper finish that accentuates wood textures. Cons are visible wood imperfections and required upkeep.

Glazes and Distressing

Glazing involves applying a translucent, tinted paint over stain to create more depth. Expect to pay $1000-$2000 more for specialty finishes like antiquing, distressing, rasping, etc.

These artistic finishes create a worn, vintage look but require expert application to avoid an overly contrived appearance.

Cabinet Hardware

The hardware finishes off the look of your new kitchen cabinets. Basic hardware starts around $20 per cabinet for knobs and $25-$50 per cabinet for pulls. Hinges cost $5-$10 apiece.

Opting for high end hardware with an aged, burnished, or ornate appearance can quickly send costs soaring to $75 or more per knob or pull. It's easy to spend over $1000 just on hardware.

Don't forget costs for the contractor to drill holes and install the hardware as well. This labor will add a few hundred dollars or more to the total.

Average Cost by Kitchen Size

Now that we've looked at the details, here is an overview of average total costs based on your kitchen size:

• Small kitchen (5x7 ft): $4,000 - $8000
• Medium kitchen (10x10 ft): $7000 - $15,000
• Large kitchen (20x20 ft): $15,000 - $30,000

For a medium 10x10 kitchen, you might spend 50% on cabinets, 25% on installation, 15% on countertops, and 10% on finishes and hardware. For larger or custom kitchens, the cabinet cost percentage is even higher.

Location and Labor Costs

Where your home is located will impact material and labor costs. Urban areas and affluent suburbs will be pricier for materials, fabrication, and installation.

Speaking of installation, professional cabinet installation averages $40-$100 per hour. Even a basic 10x10 kitchen could cost $1200-$2500+ for skilled installation.

DIY installation can certainly save on labor - but keep in mind that improper installation can ruin your cabinets and resale value. Precision skills, tools, and time are required.

Cost-Saving Tips and Strategies

Here are some creative ways to lower the total expense of your new kitchen cabinets and strike a balance between cost and value:

• Select midrange semi-custom cabinets for reasonable quality without breaking the budget.
• Use elegant door styles and hardware to elevate a cost-effective box construction.
• Shop sales and overstock outlets for significant discounts.
• Consider ready-to-assemble cabinets to save on labor.
• Install the cabinets yourself if you have the DIY skills.
• Reface existing cabinet boxes rather than replacing entirely.
• Mix some high-end accents like accent doors with more affordable standard cabinets.
• Modify layouts and reduce corners to avoid fillers that drive up material costs.

There's no single answer to "how much do new kitchen cabinets cost?", but we hope this overview helps you understand what goes into pricing those lovely new cabinets. Setting a total budget between $10-$25 per square foot of kitchen space is realistic for a nice quality semi-custom project.

Focus on maximizing storage, durability, and visual appeal. Compromise on size, accessories, and unnecessary complexities. With smart planning and design choices, you can get the fresh new kitchen of your dreams while minding your budget.