🗄️ Cabinet Installation Cost Guide 2025

Complete pricing for new cabinets, refacing, refinishing, and professional installation

💰 Cabinet Cost Overview

New Cabinets

$2,000 – $30,000
Complete replacement

Cabinet Refacing

$4,200 – $10,200
New doors & veneer

Cabinet Refinishing

$1,800 – $4,200
Paint or stain existing

Per Linear Foot

$100 – $1,200
Installed price range
🏷️

Cabinet Prices by Type and Style

Comprehensive breakdown of cabinet costs by quality level, materials, and installation

New Cabinet Installation Costs

Cabinet Type Cost per Linear Foot Average Kitchen (24 ft) Best For
Stock Cabinets $100 – $300 $2,400 – $7,200 Budget renovations, rentals
Semi-Custom $150 – $650 $3,600 – $15,600 Balance of quality & cost
Custom Cabinets $500 – $1,200 $12,000 – $28,800 Unique spaces, luxury homes
Ultra High-End $1,200 – $2,500 $28,800 – $60,000 Luxury custom homes

Cabinet Update Options Comparison

⚠️

Important Distinction

Refacing keeps your cabinet boxes but replaces doors, drawer fronts, and adds veneer. Refinishing simply paints or stains what you have. Both save 30-70% versus new cabinets.

Update Type Cost Range Time Frame What’s Included
Full Replacement $6,400 – $30,000 2-6 weeks All new boxes, doors, hardware
Cabinet Refacing $4,200 – $10,200 3-5 days New doors, veneer, hardware
Cabinet Refinishing $1,800 – $4,200 2-4 days Sand, prime, paint/stain
Hardware Only $200 – $1,000 4-8 hours New pulls, knobs, hinges
📏

Kitchen Size and Cabinet Requirements

How kitchen dimensions impact your cabinet budget

Kitchen Size Linear Feet Stock Cabinet Cost Custom Cabinet Cost
Small (10×10) 20 feet $2,000 – $6,000 $10,000 – $24,000
Average (12×12) 24 feet $2,400 – $7,200 $12,000 – $28,800
Large (12×15) 30 feet $3,000 – $9,000 $15,000 – $36,000
L-Shaped w/Island 35 feet $3,500 – $10,500 $17,500 – $42,000
U-Shaped Luxury 40+ feet $4,000 – $12,000 $20,000 – $48,000+
🔧

Installation and Labor Costs

Professional installation ensures cabinets are level, secure, and properly aligned

Labor and Additional Services

Service Cost Range Time Required Details
Cabinet Removal $350 – $1,000 4-8 hours Includes disposal
Installation Labor $50 – $450/linear ft 2-5 days Varies by cabinet type
Wall Repair/Prep $300 – $900 1-2 days Drywall, painting
Electrical Updates $500 – $1,500 1 day Under-cabinet lighting
Plumbing Adjustments $300 – $1,200 4-8 hours If sink relocated
Crown Molding $700 – $2,100 4-8 hours $2-3 per linear foot
💡 Total Labor: Expect labor to represent 25-35% of your total cabinet project cost, or $50-$450 per linear foot depending on cabinet type and complexity.
🎨

Cabinet Materials and Finishes

Material choices significantly impact both cost and durability

🪵

Wood Options

Solid Wood: $5,000-$25,000+

Plywood Box: $4,000-$20,000

Wood Veneer: $2,000-$15,000

Particle Board: $1,500-$8,000

Solid wood lasts longest

🎨

Door Styles

Flat Panel: Most affordable

Raised Panel: +15-25% cost

Shaker: Mid-range popular

Glass Front: +$100-300/door

Style impacts price significantly

🔧

Hardware & Accessories

Basic Knobs: $2-$5 each

Designer Pulls: $10-$50 each

Soft-Close Hinges: +$50-100/door

Pull-Out Drawers: $100-300 each

Small details add up fast

📈

Real Estate Investment Analysis

Cabinet strategy for maximum ROI across property types

🏠

Single-Family Rental

Target Budget: $3,000-$8,000

Focus: Stock cabinets, durable finish

ROI Impact: $75-150/month rent increase

Best Option: Refacing if boxes solid

🔄

Fix & Flip

Target Budget: $5,000-$15,000

Focus: Shaker style, soft-close

ROI Impact: $15,000-30,000 value add

Sweet Spot: Semi-custom white/gray

🏖️

Short-Term Rental

Target Budget: $8,000-$20,000

Focus: Instagram-worthy style

ROI Impact: 15-25% nightly rate boost

Features: Two-tone, open shelving

📊 Market Insight: Updated cabinets return 75-85% at resale when part of a full kitchen remodel. Refacing returns 70-80% while costing 40% less than replacement.
💡

Money-Saving Strategies

Professional tips to maximize your cabinet budget

🎨

Reface Instead of Replace

Save 40-60% by keeping cabinet boxes if they’re structurally sound. New doors and veneer create a completely fresh look.

🏪

Mix Cabinet Grades

Use custom cabinets only where needed (like corner units). Fill in with quality stock cabinets to save thousands.

📦

Buy RTA Cabinets

Ready-to-assemble cabinets cost 20-30% less. Many brands now offer quality comparable to pre-assembled.

🛒

Shop Warehouse Sales

Big box stores clear cabinet displays at 40-70% off. Perfect for smaller kitchens or rental properties.

🔨

DIY the Demo

Remove old cabinets yourself to save $350-$1,000. Just be careful with plumbing and electrical connections.

⏰

Time Your Purchase

Cabinet prices drop 20-40% during holiday sales. Black Friday and President’s Day offer deepest discounts.

❓

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert answers to common cabinet installation questions

Should I reface or replace my cabinets?
If your cabinet boxes are in good structural condition (no water damage, sagging, or broken components), refacing saves 40-60% compared to replacement. However, if you want to change the layout, add more cabinets, or the boxes are damaged, replacement is the better option.
How long do different cabinet types last?
Solid wood cabinets can last 50+ years with proper care. Plywood cabinets typically last 20-30 years. Particle board cabinets may need replacement after 10-15 years, especially in high-moisture environments. Quality construction matters more than material alone.
What’s included in professional cabinet installation?
Professional installation includes: precise measurements, wall preparation, cabinet leveling and securing, door/drawer adjustment, crown molding installation, and cleanup. Most pros also handle minor wall repairs and coordinate with plumbers/electricians if needed.
Can I install cabinets over existing flooring?
It’s generally better to install cabinets before flooring for a cleaner look and to avoid height issues with appliances. However, cabinets can go over existing flooring if necessary. Just ensure proper height calculations for dishwashers and ranges.
What cabinet features add the most value?
Soft-close hinges and drawer slides ($50-100 extra per cabinet) offer the best ROI. Full-extension drawer slides, pull-out shelves, and built-in organizers also add value. Avoid trendy colors; white, gray, and natural wood have the broadest appeal.
How can I make stock cabinets look custom?
Add crown molding, upgrade to soft-close hardware, install under-cabinet lighting, add decorative end panels, and choose quality handles/pulls. These upgrades cost $500-2,000 total but create a high-end appearance.

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Last updated: July 2025

Sources: National Kitchen & Bath Association, cabinet manufacturer data, contractor surveys, Builds and Buys research team