The beauty of a fresh new kitchen is unbeatable. To home owners, the kitchen is not just where meals are prepared—it's the heart of the home where friends and family congregate and there's party time. But once initial price estimates for the first round of remodeling begin to arrive, excitement has a tendency to give way to shock. Of all that can be put on the line to go in for a kitchen renovation, cabinets cost the most and will usually average out 30% to 35% of the amount of re-doing.
If you're currently out there shopping for new cabinets to purchase, then you're wondering the same thing as most homeowners left wondering: How much will it cost me to install kitchen cabinets? Here in this complete guide, we're laying it all out, from national average and by-kitchen-size costs to variation by material, labor, and cheaper alternatives.
Average Cost of Kitchen Cabinet Installation
As of 2025, kitchen cabinet installations range from $4,000 to $13,000 nationwide, or approximately $7,500 on average. That is for a semi-custom mid-level kitchen.
Or, if you prefer to estimate in terms of linear footage, the linear foot cost averages:
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Stock cabinets: $100 to $300 installed
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Semi-custom cabinets: $150 to $650 installed
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Custom cabinets: $500 to $1,200 installed
To put it in context, the average 10×10 kitchen with 20 linear feet of base cabinetry varies from $2,000 stock cabinets to $24,000 custom-made.
A Real-Life Example
Numbers are reduced to a component level when used in reality. Pantry, Lazy Susan, and fridge cabinet U-shaped kitchen remodel in Arizona is utilized in this example. Semi-customs with soft-close hinges and Nordic laminate finish was the component needed by the owner. The cost was an estimated $11,800 that was broken down into these components:
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Labor $950
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Materials $10,150 (hardware and trim)
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Delivery and trip charge $300
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Total $11,800
This makes sense because most of the cost falls in materials and not labor, similar to most cabinet installations.
Cost by Kitchen Size
The bigger the kitchen, the bigger the cost will likely be. The bigger kitchen, of course, will require more cabinets and thus more material and labor.
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10Ft kitchen (10 linear feet of cabinets): $1,000 to $5,000
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12×12 kitchen (25 lineal feet of cabinetry): $2,400 - $28,800
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200 sq. ft. kitchen with 20 lineal feet of cabinetry: $3,000 to $10,000 semi-custom, $10,000 to $24,000 custom
In all these estimates, however, design considerations like installing glass-front doors, lazy Susans, or drawer depth will add to the cost.
Cabinet Types and Cost Differentiation
Not all are created equal. Your choice between stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinetry will not only affect the cost, but also your level of design freedom.
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Stock Cabinets:
Least costly, usually manufactured in mass quantities to set sizes and finishes. Ranging in cost from $100 to $300 per linear foot. Best suited for low-end remodels but with few style and size choices.
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Semi-Custom Cabinets:
Standard price range most homeowners will be willing to pay, $150 to $650 linear foot. These start small in frame but also come with other custom options such as pull-out trays, molding trim, and other finish options. Shipping will usually be 4–8 weeks.
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Custom Cabinets
The premium line, $500 to $1,200 linear foot-or better for high-end woods. All customized to your requirements, from materials and finish to hand-sketch floor plans for maximum storage capacity. Expensive, maybe, but custom cabinets can build a kitchen that's a room of elegance.
Materials and Their Price Influence
Cabinet wood determines appearance and longevity as well as 25% to 50% of project expense. Here are general substitutes:
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Solid Wood: $100 to $600 linear foot for stock, $2,000 top for custom. Genuine, solid, and the best, but at least priced by wood type.
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Wood Veneer: $60 to $300 linear foot, less expensive way of achieving wood look.
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Laminate: $60 to $300 per linear foot. Not expensive, but flexible, and not so much anymore after a while.
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Metal: $400 to $2,000 per linear foot. Modern and sleek, but scratching is the issue.
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Acrylic: $400 to $2,000 per linear foot. High-gloss and modern, but fingerprints are easily seen.
Your material choice is usually your one largest cost factor besides kitchen size overall.
Labor and Installation Costs
Labor will range from 20% to 30% of your overall cabinet installation price. Though materials receive the majority of the bread, professional installation helps to achieve longevity and use.
This is what the average labor price is:
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Old cabinet demolition and removal: $300 to $500
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Wall preparation and leveling: $200 to $500
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Installation of cabinetry: $50 to $200/linear foot
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Installation of hardware: $300 to $1,900 depending on fashion and quantity
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Drywall, plumbing, electrical (other building trades): $50 to $200 an hour depending on trade
A competent fitter for cabinets will be more expensive than a handyman, though quality and efficiency usually will be well worth the premium.
Other Charges to Be Aware Of
Aside from labor and cabinets, there is a string of other charges that can get their way onto your invoice:
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Trim and molding: $4 to $23 per linear foot
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Hardware: $2 to $50 per handle or knob
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Plumbing or moving an electric outlet: $45 to $200 per hour
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Disposal fees: $300 to $500 if you don't do the work yourself of getting rid of the old cabinets
They don't cost much on their own, but as a package, they might set you back thousands in the end.
Alternatives to Full Replacement
Not everyone will need new cabinets. If frames are still in good shape, you can cut costs and look at the following options:
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Refacing Cabinets: $4,000 to $9,500. New drawer fronts and doors but veneering on existing frames. Provides a new look at without having to spend the entire replacement cost.
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Refinishing Cabinets: $2,000 to $5,000. Sanding and staining or painting current cabinets to entirely transform their appearance. From $30 to $60 per linear foot.
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Painting Cabinets: Less than $2,000 for typical kitchens. An affordable way of exchanging dull-looking cabinets with new paint and updated hardware.
They can be as much as 50% cheaper than complete cabinet replacement without compromising the aesthetic of your home.
Money-Saving Tips for Cabinet Installation
Although cabinets are a cost, you can save on them by following these ways:
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Choose RTA Cabinets over custom hoping to get the best of both worlds when it comes to budget and flexibility. RTA cabinets allow you to save labor fees to the tune of several thousand dollars. Homeowners can install and assemble them without any hassle using assembly instructions, so RTA cabinets are one of the cheapest without sacrificing style.
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Eliminate frills like glass doors or excessive use of trim, which end up being expense-account features.
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Replace some of the wall cabinets with open shelving hoping for a contemporary appearance at half the cost.
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Stain rather than paint in an attempt to gain a 10–15% discount on the cost.
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Demo yourself and save $300 to $500.
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Comparison shop on hardware, where prices might be radically different.
Savvy planning can simply save thousands on your project without ever compromising quality.
Is It Worth the Investment?
New cabinetry is an investment that will reward you many times over. The average well-maintained cabinet lasts about 50 years, says the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. More to the point, new kitchen cabinetry can recover up to 96% of its cost when you sell your home.
For others not yet ready for a whole replacement, refacing or refinishing is a cost-effective way of updating an antique kitchen. Where expense is no issue, new cabinets are one of the best ways of increasing function and resale value.
As one of the best real estate agents so poetically put it: "The kitchen is where people wind up spending most of their time. If you're spending money on new cabinets, you're spending money on the heart of the home."
Last Thoughts
How much will it cost to put in kitchen cabinets, then? That will depend entirely on how large your kitchen is, what you desire, and how bespoke you are. Stock cabinets provide others with an affordable make-over. Semi-custom is most economical for others. And for others who have picture-perfect aspirations, custom cabinets deliver like anything else—of course, at an outrageously prohibitive cost.
Regardless of how you manage, being aware of the whole range of expenses, from hardware to labor, is putting you in a position to budget and make wise choices. With wise planning, your kitchen remodel experience can be extravagant yet affordable.
And if you’re not sure where to begin, our team offers a free design service to help you plan your kitchen layout, explore cabinet styles, and find the most cost-effective solution tailored to your space. It’s a no-cost way to turn inspiration into a clear plan before you invest.