How Much Does It Cost to Install Kitchen Cabinets in 2024?
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Max Efrein Contributing AuthorClose
Max Efrein Contributing AuthorMax Efrein is a journalist who has covered a wide array of topics, including tracking real estate trends, for both traditional newspapers and online media. He also picked up some firsthand home building experience while significantly expanding and renovating his house to accommodate his growing family.
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Joseph Gordon Associate EditorClose
Joseph Gordon Associate EditorJoseph Gordon is an Associate Editor with HomeLight. He has seven years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of San Francisco.
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.
When considering renovations to your home, the kitchen may not be high on your list as due for an upgrade, but renovating your kitchen cabinetry can be a worthwhile investment, says Larry Chun, a top-selling agent in Oahu, Hawaii who sells properties 38% faster than the average area agent. Is it worth the cost of having kitchen cabinets installed?
“If you have money to do new kitchen cabinets, it definitely boosts the value of the home because people spend a lot of time in the kitchen,” Chun said.
“That’s where people entertain, that’s where families come together,” he says.
For an idea of what you’re getting into, an average kitchen cabinet installation costs between $150 and $500 per linear foot for stock or semi-custom styles.
This translates to a total of between $3,200 and $8,500. For custom cabinets, homeowners can expect to pay between $500 and $1,200 per linear foot, costing between $12,500 and $18,100.
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Kitchen cabinet installation 2024 cost overview
| Source | Average cost to install new cabinets | Low and high-end cost range | Average price per linear foot | Methodology |
| HomeAdvisor | $6,006 | $225 – $28,000 | $100 – $1,200 | Based on survey of 6,856 members |
| HomeGuide | $4,500-$15,000 | $1,800 – $18,100 | $150 – $500 | Based on millions of estimates from local companies |
| Fixr | $7,500 | $2,090 – $40,650 | $170 – $382 | Based on Fixr’s cost data and supporting sources |
Kitchen cabinet installation: A real-life example
Add More Custom Cabinets in Prescott, Arizona, installed new semi-custom kitchen cabinets for a homeowner. The project was for a U-shaped kitchen with a pantry, Lazy Susan, and fridge cabinet. The homeowner made the following design selections:
- Door Style: Arcadia
- Wood: 3-D laminate
- Finish: Nordic
- Crown molding: Square-edge
- Drawer boxes: Standard PBC
- Interiors: 1⁄2” thick, natural birch woodgrain laminate.
- Finished Ends: sides are 1⁄2” thick veneer core, with matching wood grain to match the face frame & doors.
- Door hinges & Drawer Guides: Soft Close
- Sheen: Semi-gloss
Source: (Courtesy of Add More Custom Cabinets)
Source: (Courtesy of Add More Custom Cabinets)
The project was quoted as follows:
| Semi-Custom Kitchen Project | Labor | Materials | Cost |
| 13 cabinets (9 standard upper/base, 1 pantry, 1 Lazy Susan and 1 fridge) | $950 | $10,150 ($600 trim package included) | $11,100 |
| Hardware (handles) | $250 | $150 | $400 |
| Trip charge (delivery) | $300 | – | $300 |
| Total | $11,800 |
Inflation premium: 2024 kitchen cabinet installation
Like most businesses, cabinetmakers have experienced increased labor and material costs due to inflation.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of custom wood cabinets is still the same as in 2022. Costs have stabilized as demand for new cabinets for newly-built homes declines alongside a reduction in housing starts or the number of homes that builders have begun constructing.
Costs by size of kitchen
One way to price cabinets is by linear foot, the length of space they occupy along a wall. Cabinet depth isn’t usually a factor, for the industry standards for both base and wall cabinets are almost always the same: 24 inches for a base and 12 inches for a wall.
So if cabinets stretch along 10 feet of wall without interruption, that’s 10 linear feet. But if there are gaps in the cabinetry to make room for a window or appliance, you deduct that length. To get an overall linear footage for your layout, measure the base and wall cabinets separately and add them together.
Here are examples of how much it costs to install cabinets in two standard-sized kitchens:
- 10×10: This is considered the quintessential kitchen size, with a total of 20 feet of wall space for cabinets. Kitchen cabinet retailers commonly use 10×10 pricing to help customers compare cabinet costs. On average, replacing cabinets in a kitchen of this size costs $3,000 to $11,000.
- 12×12: This is another widespread kitchen measurement in the U.S., sporting 25 linear feet of cabinetry. On average, replacing cabinets in a kitchen of this size costs $3,800 to $15,000.
Differences between stock and custom
Many variables go into the overall cost of kitchen cabinetry installation.
One factor that will impact the price is the difference between a stock or custom design — or somewhere in the middle. Before delving into the pros and cons of each, here is a quick look at the average costs:
- Stock: an average of $100 to $400 per linear foot installed
- Semi-custom: an average of $150 to $700 per linear foot, installed
- Custom: an average of $500 to $1,200 per linear foot, installed
Stock
Stock cabinets are the least expensive option, but the days when the word “stock” means cheap and poorly made are over. The craftsmanship is up to par in most cases, but you might run into frustration when it comes to flexibility and variety.
Stock cabinets come in limited sizes, colors, and styles. Like playing a game of Tetris, you must use the few shapes available to fit your space. If you choose this path, it’s best to go into it knowing you may need to make some compromises.
To ensure you’re at least getting higher quality stock cabinets, look for ones that carry the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) Quality Certification Seal. This means the KCMA has rigorously tested and approved the durability and functionality of the cabinets. If the cabinets also carry the KCMA’s Environmental Stewardship Program Seal, they were constructed using sustainable and responsible practices.
Semi-custom
As it sounds, semi-custom cabinets are an excellent middle ground in price and versatility.
They’re essentially stock cabinets with more options and add-ons available regarding style, size, color, and design. This includes rollout shelves, cabinet lighting, and decorative molding.
Aside from the higher price tag, the primary downside of semi-custom cabinets is the time it takes between ordering and delivery. Whereas stock cabinets can be ready for installation the same day or soon after, semi-custom cabinets usually take four to eight weeks.
Custom
For those who are less concerned about the price of their kitchen cabinets and more concerned about the design, a completely custom job may be the way to go.
Starting with a blank slate, you work with a cabinetry specialist to create your dream kitchen. Where pricing tends to vary substantially is the type of material you choose. Domestic oak is one of the most popular wood species due to its low cost, durability, and availability. On the pricier side would be something exotic like mahogany.
Average labor cost
Including preparation and cleanup, the typical labor cost to install kitchen cabinets can range between $40 and $80 per hour or $50 to $300 per linear foot.
The installation price mainly varies depending on the type of cabinets involved and the professional you hire to do the job.
If it’s semi- or completely custom cabinetry, then there may be some specialty items like a Lazy Susan or farmhouse sink cabinet that require some additional time to secure and ensure all of the mechanics work properly.
Choosing a professional to do the job usually comes down to deciding between a handyman and a cabinet installer. You may charge the job by the hour or per cabinet installed.
On average, cabinet installers will charge between $67 and $125 per hour or between $2,000 and $50,000 tota, depending on the extent of work.
For handymen, the averages are $60 to $90 per hour and $55 to $85 per cabinet.
That said, the actual installation price between stock and custom cabinetry is not much different in most cases, Chris Gloyd, a cabinet specialist with Add More Custom Cabinets, said.
“What you’re really paying for is the time to build the cabinets,” he said. “The install process of it is so close it’s honestly negligible.”
Other costs to consider
Cabinet material: Materials typically comprise between 25% and 50% of a project’s pricing. Natural wood is the most common material for cabinetry, but alternatives like laminate or thermofoil are viable alternatives that cost much less.
Add-ons: Includes hardware such as pulls and handles, which run between $67 and $197 per item.
Total number of cabinets: Each cabinet can cost between $100 and $600 (or more if it’s a custom piece), so figuring out exactly how many cabinets you want can be worthwhile.
Removal and disposal of old cabinets: The number of cabinets needing removal determines this cost, but most homeowners can expect to pay between $300 and $500. If you’re looking to save on your project, doing the removal yourself is an excellent place to start, given its relative simplicity.
Trim and molding: These are the finer details added to cabinets to give them finishing touches and flair. Crown molding alone can add an average of $4 to $23 per linear foot to the project’s price tag.
Relocation of plumbing and electrical: If you decide to shift the placement of your appliances to better suit your new cabinets, just know it will likely require moving electrical outlets and plumbing. Depending on the project’s complexity, the electrical can cost $580 or more. To reroute, a single water line can run between $650 and $800.
Installing new kitchen cabinets: Worth the cost?
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, most newly installed kitchen cabinets will last around 50 years.
In most cases, kitchen renovations will garner a 70%-80% return on investment if you decide to sell your home.
However, if you already have a kitchen cabinet set you think you can live with, or you’re just trying to freshen up your home before selling, you may want to consider refacing or painting over replacing. This can cost 50% less than a new installation and still give your kitchen the fresh look you’re looking for.
“If you repaint your cabinets and add hardware onto them, you can freshen up a really old kitchen and spend less than $2,000,” Chun said.
A fresh coat of paint in particular, can help a kitchen look great in photos, which is essential when selling.
“That’s what you want,” Chun said.
“Nice photos generate demand. The more demand you have, the more offers you have, the more options you have as a seller.”
Header Image Source: (Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. / Unsplash)