How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost? The Top Factors to Consider

The kitchen is the heart of any home. Naturally, you want this space to be both functional and inviting. This is the best way to encourage family members to spend more time here, whether it’s gathering to eat a family meal, making a healthy snack, or cooking up a family feast.

Most homeowners tend to invest a good amount of money on the look and feel of their kitchen for these very reasons. So if your kitchen needs a little TLC, a good place to start is with your kitchen cabinets. They are one of the simplest and most cost-effective things to replace

So, how much do kitchen cabinets cost? Learn more about the average cost breakdown in this blog.

How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost? A Price Breakdown

Replacing your kitchen cabinets can overhaul the aesthetic of your kitchen like nothing else. This is great news if the space needs a little lift, rather than a full makeover. But how much can you expect to budget for new kitchen cabinets?

When it comes to a kitchen cabinet revamp you have three options: full replacement, repainting, or refacing. Ultimately, your budget will determine which option you go with.

If your cabinet integrity is shot, i.e. they are run down and falling apart, no amount of paint can cover that up. That’s why it’s best to go for a full replacement. If you’re on a tight budget, you do have options that can save you money. Some of these include a visit to a kitchen cabinets outlet, purchasing sale items, and DIYing your cabinet removal or installation.

The Average Cost of a Full Replacement

When completely replacing your kitchen cabinets there are numerous factors that play into the total cost. But on average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3,200-$8,500 for new cabinets, including the installation.

Bear in mind that kitchen cabinet installation takes up at least 40% of a full kitchen remodel cost. If you were replacing an entire kitchen that is a rough estimate of what you can budget for cabinets. This says a lot about how important they are to the aesthetic and function of a kitchen.

Ultimately, your kitchen cabinets are an investment. Considering how much space they take up with both upper and lower cabinetry, plus drawer space, the cost is understandable.

Factors That Affect Kitchen Cabinet Costs

No kitchen cabinet installation project is exactly the same in terms of costs. The price will always vary based on the type of cabinetry you choose, labor costs based on the region you live in, and more. But here’s a breakdown of how the overall cost can be affected:

1. Price Per Linear Foot

Costs are calculated by linear foot when it comes to full cabinet replacement. If you go with stock-standard kitchen cabinets, this ranges from $100-$280 per linear foot. For more high-end cabinetry, such as semi-custom cabinets it’s about $200-$550 per linear foot.

For customized cabinets, you can expect to pay an average of $500-$1,200 per linear foot. The final installation cost also depends on the material of the cabinets and the overall size of your kitchen.

2. Labor Costs

If you go with professional installation, you’re paying for the labor of physically installing your cabinetry. Labor includes cabinet preparation, installation, and cleanup. Generally, you pay an average of $80-$190 per cabinet. However, this is based on basic cabinetry installation.

You could always save money by hiring a handyman to help you with the installation. But if it’s not done correctly, this could cost you more in the long-run.

3. The Removal of Existing Cabinets

In order to make room for your new cabinetry, the old cabinets must go first. Now, you can remove old cabinetry yourself, but it’s an arduous task that usually requires the effort of more than one person. If you’re short on time or energy, you may want to go with a professional for this job. You also want to avoid the risk of damaging your surrounding walls, countertops, and electric outlets if you don’t know what you’re doing!

Keep in mind that cabinet removal is usually included in the overall project cost. Contractors understand that old cabinets have to be removed first, so this price is not exorbitant. You can expect to pay an average of $300 for full cabinetry removal. However, this amount varies depending on the size of your kitchen and your cabinet setup.

4. Cabinet Customization

Another factor that could majorly influence the overall costs of a full replacement project is the level of customization to your cabinets. Most homeowners on a budget tend to opt for ready-made or stock-standard cabinetry in a bid to save money.

It’s a no-brainer that choosing custom cabinetry will cost you more in terms of materials, structure, specialized installation, and more. As mentioned, customized cabinets cost an average of $500-$1,200 per linear foot to install. The average cost tends to land at approximately $800 per cabinet unit.

In comparison, ready-made kitchen cabinets cost an average of $100-$280 per linear foot. Another benefit is that there is a huge range of stock-standard cabinets on the market today. This means you have plenty of options to choose from to suit your kitchen aesthetics, style, and size.

5. Kitchen Cabinet Material

Finally, the material you choose for your cabinetry also affects the overall cost. Most kitchen cabinets are crafted from particleboard, MDF, acrylic, wood, laminate, or stainless steel. Most wood cabinetry is pre-stained, finished, and treated. You can save money by purchasing unfinished cabinetry, and you can either finish them yourselves or have your installer apply a finish. At the end of the day, it may not be much of a saving given the money spent on finishing products and the labor.

For wood veneer cabinets you can expect to pay $4,000-$9,000 for the material. Laminate cabinets range from $5,000-$12,000, while acrylic material is in the same price range. Authentic wood cabinetry costs an average of $6,000-$12,000, while stainless steel ranges from $22,000-$36,000.

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So, how much do kitchen cabinets cost? The average price varies depending on all the above-mentioned factors so it’s difficult to apply an exact figure to this question. Just remember, kitchen cabinets are an investment, so do yourself a favor and invest wisely!

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