How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost?

What is the average cost of kitchen cabinets in America today?

The average cost of kitchen cabinets can range widely from $81 to $1,200 per linear foot. For example, your typical 10×10-foot kitchen can have an average cost that ranges from $2,000 to $26,000 with a median average of full kitchen setups but can vary based on a number of factors, including brand name, design specifications, and premium options. Bottom line, you can expect to pay somewhere between $2,000 to $35,000 depending on the size and linear feet involved.

On This Page

1. Price Comparison For The Type Of Cabinets
   • Ready To Assemble (RTA) Cabinets Cost
   • Semi Custom Cabinets Cost
   • Custom Cabinets Cost
2. The Cost Of New Kitchen Cabinets By Style
   • Price Comparison For The Style Of Cabinets
   • Cost of White Kitchen Cabinets
   • Cost of Framed Kitchen Cabinets
   • Cost of Frameless Kitchen Cabinets
   • Cost of Inset Kitchen Cabinets
   • Cost of Shaker Kitchen Cabinets
3. How Long Do Kitchen Cabinets Last?
4. How To Buy Kitchen Cabinets Cheap

PRICE COMPARISON FOR THE TYPE OF CABINETS

*Pricing statistics and estimates as of 2018 Q1 mean averages ℅ The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)

Ready To Assemble (RTA) Cabinets Cost

Ready to assemble, or RTA kitchen cabinets have quickly become the most affordable option for consumers due to the fact that installation costs are very minimal. In the past, RTA cabinets were found in limited inventory and with fewer design options than semi-custom or fully customizable kitchen cabinets, which led many people to consider cabinet refacing or refinishing their solid wood cabinets based on kitchen cabinets price ranges which seemed too lofty for entry-level home cabinet projects or install.

However, in recent years kitchen designers have made today’s modern RTA cabinets far more accessible and (in most cases) far more diverse when it comes to sourcing builder’s-grade features and materials, but at a price point that is fractionally less than semi-custom and custom alternatives.

Quality and measurement issues were sometimes a challenge decades ago with prefabricated types that did not lend themselves well to the true RTA nature of today’s well-manufactured cabinets. But now, careful measurement beforehand in the exact location you want to install your new RTA cabinets usually eliminates the need for swapping cabinet boxes after a hurried return of your initial purchase. And with the expanded accessibility to professional installers, may people do a double-check and have a professional measure their space for a quick and affordable consult.

Semi Custom Cabinets Cost

Thinking of going semi-custom for your next kitchen cabinet job? On the surface, it seems like a good option, but REALLY, what is the average cost of semi-custom kitchen cabinets? Semi-custom kitchen cabinets may seem to be a viable option at first but will eat into your wallet to the tune of $150 to $650 per linear foot after all the hidden costs are in and they’re finally installed.

The parts required often exceed $100 to $400 per foot for this type of cabinet, and, though once thought to be the perfect solution for homeowners looking for niche styles and high-end brand feel, the truth is that RTA has come a long way and even contractors that have been in the business for decades have some challenges discerning between quality levels when head-to-head comparisons are made between semi-custom jobs and the more affordable RTA alternatives.

Custom Cabinets Cost

So what is the average cost of custom kitchen cabinets? If you’re trying to find a definitive answer to this, you’re not alone. It’s true that depending on the market and the chosen contractor, this last piece of the kitchen-cabinet-pie-chart in your kitchen remodel budget may vary quite a bit in price. At the opposite end of the spectrum from stock cabinets, custom kitchen cabinets often cost somewhere between $600 and $1,200, and while there may be a few uniquely-shaped kitchen spaces out there where a custom solution might come in handy, this is also where you can expect to see some significant increases in costs per linear foot.

The Cost Of New Kitchen Cabinets By Style

So what is the average cost of new kitchen cabinets when you’re going RTA? The average kitchen sports a fair amount of fixtures, areas to measure, and opportunities for matching up your perfect style and color to your existing kitchen motif. Keeping that in mind, some kitchen cabinet styles can contribute slightly more cost and effort than others, so while you’re planning, make sure to keep these costs variables in mind.

PRICE COMPARISON FOR THE STYLE OF CABINETS

*Pricing statistics and estimates as of 2018 Q1 mean averages ℅ The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)

Cost of White RTA Kitchen Cabinets

While white kitchen cabinets might not have an additional associated cost, it’s worthwhile noting that this color (which is ubiquitously sold across all styles and models) may have a distinct upkeep cost with periodic kitchen cleaning, etc. But mostly, this cost is marginal after initial purchase, which is comparable to any other color selected.

Cost of Framed Kitchen Cabinets

Framed cabinets cost roughly $9,500 to $18,000 or more. A framed kitchen cabinet means that the rails and stiles are visible at the front and form a flat frame that the door is then attached to. They are best for homeowners seeking a traditional design with a classic feel.

Cost of Frameless Kitchen Cabinets

Frameless cabinets cost $12,500 to $36,000 or more. Custom designs lead to higher cost when taking into account the quality of the materials, customization and size of the kitchen install. These cabinets are used mainly in modern designs. Frameless construction features a heavier box to hide the frame and hang the doors upon.

Cost of Inset Kitchen Cabinets

Inset kitchen cabinets have the same ranges as most other semi-custom or custom cabinets, running about $225 to $1,200 per linear foot. Expect a cost that’s roughly 20% more for flush mounts than a more classic design with the same quality of base material. This type of kitchen cabinet has a unique design where the drawers and doors are flush with a face frame opening.

Return to Table of Contents

How Long Do Kitchen Cabinets Last?

How long do kitchen cabinets last? It’s a question asked time and time again by homeowners both young and old, and usually around the time that you’re wandering through a new, potential dwelling with your realtor and everything about this ‘dream’ house is PERFECT, except (you guessed it) that kitchen – which is so dated (or downright dinged) that you automatically go into the cost-calculation mode to try and put together counter-offers and custom comebacks for when the seller wants too much.

Return to Table of Contents

How To Buy Kitchen Cabinets Cheap?

Image Source: by Drobotdean

Buying kitchen cabinets locally is a sure way to make sure you pay retail for what you can (almost certainly) purchase online for quite a bit less. This is something that contractors have now known for years and something that people should take better advantage of in order to save their budget for other decorative options, love marks, and kitchen niceties that would otherwise be out of reach if you blew your entire remodeling budget simply on the cabinet purchase. Keeping this at the forefront of your planning, you should always, always, always…

1. Research beforehand – Trust your taste. The kitchen should be an extension of your home, so choose what you love.
2. Consider Your Budget – Style options and configurations may dictate a lot of this, but make sure you get the features you want the first time, because you don’t want to get stuck with a kitchen cabinet setup that you only half love!
3. Pick a Style – Framed or frameless? If you want a more European look but also a framed cabinet style, then you want a full-overlay door which covers all or most of the frame.
4. Inspect the Construction – At Cabinet Select, our kitchen cabinets are well built, but we ALWAYS recommend that consumers thoroughly inspect their chosen cabinets, whether they buy from us or from someone else.