Average Kitchen Cabinet Costs
Kitchen cabinets range widely from $100 to $1,200 per linear foot. A typical 10 by 10-foot kitchen would run anywhere from $2,000 to $24,000 though most fall in the range of $4,000 to $13,000. You can expect to get anywhere from 65% to 80% return on your cabinet and kitchen remodel investment when you sell your home.
Cabinets help define the looks and usability of your kitchen. If you have a dated or difficult-to-use design, your kitchen could be falling short of its full potential as the entertainment and meal-prepping focal point of your home. Installing a new design will improve its looks and usability – and boost the appeal of your home. Here’s a comprehensive guide on design, cost, and materials.
Kitchen Cabinet Prices Per Linear Foot
The linear foot pricing of $100 to $1,200 includes everything from off-the-shelf to high-end custom options. The construction breaks down into these three categories, each with its own price point and specific set of pros and cons:
| Linear Foot | Per Unit | |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | $100-$300 | $200-$650+ |
| Semi-Custom | $150-$650 | $250-$800+ |
| Custom | $500-$1,200 | $500+ |
Stock Cabinets
Stock cabinets are the most affordable option available to homeowners at $100 to $300 per linear foot installed, or $50 to $100 per linear foot for materials alone. Stock or builder’s-grade construction comes with fewer design options, but costs considerably less than semi-custom and custom alternatives.
Quality and measurement issues are sometimes a problem with prefab types. Be sure to carefully measure the location of your new install before making any purchases. If you’re unsure, have a cabinet professional measure your space.
- Advantage: Affordable price.
- Disadvantage: Lack of design options, occasional measurement and quality issues.
Semi-Custom Cabinets Cost
If you have a larger budget or need custom sizing or aesthetics, semi-custom designs offer a wider variety of options at $150 to $650 per linear foot installed. The materials alone cost $75 to $400 per linear foot, or $150 or more per unit. Semi-stock is perfect for homeowners looking for unique, long-lasting types without the hefty price of custom designs.
- Advantage: Reasonable price, more design and measurement options.
- Disadvantage: Lack of exotic designs and materials.
Custom Cabinets
Custom cabinets cost $500 to $1,200 per linear foot installed. Materials make up between $300 and $750 per linear foot. They’re perfect for oddly-shaped kitchens or specific design and functionality needs. While custom installs meet your exact specifications, you can expect a substantial cost increase.
- Advantage: Endless design possibilities.
- Disadvantage: Price.
Plywood vs. MDF vs. Solid Wood
MDF: Most stock and some lower end semi-custom varieties use medium density fiberboard (MDF), also called particle board, with a thin plastic veneer applied to the top.
Plywood with Solid Wood: Most high-end semi-custom and many custom installations use a combination of plywood and solid wood. The cabinet boxes use plywood with real wood veneers for the boxes and solid wood or plywood with veneers for doors and drawers. They’ll use real wood for any structural supports and sometimes the cabinet faces.
Solid Wood: It is rare to find any custom installation that is 100% solid wood. High-end plywood tends to hold up better to use, doesn’t warp in moist environments, and has a higher mechanical strength than solid woods. Once applied, real wood veneer looks, feels and functions as good or better than solid wood.
New Kitchen Cabinet Cost Calculator by Material
It’s important to also consider the mass appeal of your materials. Exotic designs and materials can hurt the resale value of your home. The materials you choose depends on your budget and design. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular materials:
| Wood Veneer | $2,000-$15,000+ |
| Laminate | $4,000-$15,000 |
| Wood | $5,000-$25,000+ |
| Acrylic | $5,000-$20,000 |
| Stainless Steel | $25,000-$38,000 |
Cabinet Wood Types Price Comparison
Wood ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 or more. You’ll only pay an average of $5 per linear foot difference between varieties, so choose the one that best compliments your home design. Here’s a quick look at a variety of sought-after wood types:
- Maple has a straight, tight grain that makes it a perfect candidate for both traditional and contemporary designs. It’s durable nature also allows it to handle both paint and stain.
- Cherry is a heavier wood, characterized by its straight, close grain. Many homeowners choose it for its elegance and natural durability. You can use it in both traditional and contemporary designs.
- Oak is a highly textured wood that’s defined by a straight grain and natural elegance. It’s porous nature makes it extremely absorbent. Darker stains bring out its grain pattern, although light stains also work well with this wood. Like cherry, oak is extremely durable and long lasting.
- Pine‘s long grains and visible knots give it a rugged-yet-sophisticated look. If you’re considering it, opt for the more durable yellow pine. Its lighter nature makes it a popular choice for contemporary kitchens.
- Bamboo isn’t a wood but a type of fast-growing grass. It has excellent anti-microbial properties and is quickly becoming and ecologically friendly choice. It is a renewable and sustainable choice used mostly as a laminate material.
Wood Veneer
Wood veneers cost anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000. They are strips of wood applied to plywood or particle board. They offer the same look and feel of wood without the higher price tag. Also, some veneers are more resistant to humidity and moisture than traditional wood. You can stain them to match other decorative features of your kitchen.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Cabinets Cost
Stainless steel runs $25,000 to $38,000. Because of the price and aesthetic, it’s a less common material than wood, laminate or veneer. Regardless, many homeowners are opting for stainless because of its durability, look and extremely long lifespan.
It’s recyclable and non-toxic, which means it’s perfect for the environmentally-friendly kitchen. However, it’s susceptible to scratches, finger prints and dents.
You’ll find stainless steel in commercial, modern and contemporary kitchens. When paired with darker woods, like cherry or oak, these cabinets fit in with transitional and eclectic décor.
Laminate
Laminates run $4,000 to $15,000. Like wood veneers, it’s a cost-friendly alternative to wood. It’s a synthetic material that’s placed on particle board in both high-pressure and low-pressure procedures. High-pressure laminate is a higher quality product sold under brand names like Formica and Pionite.
It is highly durable and stands up to the wear and tear of a busy kitchen. Also, they don’t warp or fade like some wooden alternatives. Laminate is especially at home in affordable, modern or contemporary kitchens.
Acrylic Cabinets Prices
Acrylics range anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more depending on the base material used. Acrylic is a very hard, high gloss finish applied similarly to varnish. It comes in various colors typically on flat panels for an ultra-modern look. Cost differences are due to the underlying material used which can be anything from MDF to real wood to metal.
Kitchen Cabinetry Estimates by Design
Cabinet design falls into two camps: Framed and frameless. On average, you’ll end up spending 15% more on frameless styles. The cost of framed and frameless vary based on the wood, construction and size of your project. The most important decision when considering design is whether it will fit your existing décor. Here’s a quick breakdown of each: