Kitchen Cabinet Installation Cost by Cabinet Grade
Cabinets are priced by the linear foot of cabinet run, measured along the wall. A standard kitchen has roughly 20 to 30 linear feet of base and wall cabinets combined, so the grade you pick multiplies across every foot of that run. Installed prices below include the boxes, doors, basic hardware and professional installation.
| Cabinet grade | Installed cost per linear foot | Per cabinet box, installed | 25 linear ft kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock (incl. RTA) | $100–$300 | $220–$500 | $2,500–$7,500 |
| Semi-custom | $150–$650 | $250–$850 | $3,800–$16,000 |
| Custom | $500–$1,200 | $600–$1,600+ | $12,500–$30,000 |
Stock cabinets come in fixed widths (usually 3-inch increments), a limited set of door styles and finishes, and are often available off the shelf at home centers. Ready-to-assemble (RTA) boxes are the cheapest version, but someone has to assemble them, which adds labor if you hire it out.
Semi-custom cabinets start from standard boxes but let you change depths, add pull-outs, pick from many more finishes and order filler and trim to fit the room. This is the grade most mid-range remodels use. Custom cabinets are built to your exact measurements, often from solid hardwood or high-grade plywood, and take the longest to deliver.
Put together, most homeowners spend $4,500 to $15,000 to have kitchen cabinets installed, and a typical semi-custom job of about 25 linear feet lands near $7,600. Those numbers line up with the cabinet share of a full kitchen remodel cost, where cabinets usually eat 25% to 35% of the budget.
Cost by kitchen size
Room size matters less than the length of cabinet run, but it’s a useful shortcut when you don’t have a layout yet.
| Kitchen size | Typical cabinet run | Stock or semi-custom, installed | Custom, installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (70–100 sq ft) | 10–15 linear ft | $3,000–$12,000 | $12,000–$20,000 |
| Average (100–200 sq ft) | 20–30 linear ft | $4,500–$15,000 | $15,000–$30,000 |
| Large (200+ sq ft) | 35+ linear ft | $6,000–$20,000+ | $18,000–$36,000+ |
Cost Breakdown: Materials vs. Labor
For stock and semi-custom lines, the boxes themselves are the bulk of the bill. Labor is a smaller share, but it rises with custom work because those cabinets often need scribing, site finishing and more careful fitting.
| Grade | Cabinets and hardware (per linear ft) | Installation labor (per linear ft) | Total (per linear ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | $50–$280 | $50–$120 | $100–$400 |
| Semi-custom | $75–$550 | $75–$150 | $150–$700 |
| Custom | $300–$900 | $200–$300 | $500–$1,200 |
Labor-only installation
If you buy cabinets yourself from a home center, an online RTA seller or a liquidation outlet, you can hire an installer separately. Expect roughly $50 to $300 per linear foot for labor only, or about $40 to $100 per hour for a carpenter or handyman. On a 25-foot kitchen with stock boxes, that typically works out to $1,500 to $3,500. Assembling flat-pack RTA cabinets adds time, so ask whether the quote includes assembly. Our handyman cost per hour guide covers hourly rates in more detail.
Home center and big-box pricing
Many homeowners buy through a home center that bundles measuring, ordering and installation. Typical installed totals for a full kitchen run about $3,000 to $6,500 for IKEA systems, $5,000 to $20,000+ through Home Depot and $4,000 to $20,000+ through Lowe’s, with the spread driven by which cabinet line you choose. Big-box programs are convenient, but compare their per-linear-foot price with a local cabinet shop before signing.
What a professional installation includes
Knowing the standard sequence helps you spot a quote that leaves steps out:
- Confirming measurements and checking delivered boxes for damage before anything is unwrapped on site.
- Removing the old cabinets and capping or protecting plumbing and electrical lines.
- Finding the high point of the floor and snapping a level line for the base cabinets.
- Hanging wall cabinets first (usually), screwed into studs, then setting and shimming base cabinets.
- Fastening boxes together, adding filler strips and end panels, and cutting openings for pipes and outlets.
- Installing doors, drawers, shelves and hardware, then adjusting hinges so gaps are even.
- Adding toe kicks, crown molding and light rail, then cleaning up.
Line items you’ll see on a quote
- Tear-out of old cabinets: about $15–$20 per linear foot, or $300–$600 for a typical kitchen
- Crown molding and trim: about $210–$570 for a whole kitchen
- In-home measurement or design visit: $50–$150, sometimes credited toward the order
- Knobs and pulls: basic hardware is usually included; upgraded pulls are extra per piece
- Permit: often not needed for a like-for-like swap, but $50–$400 when electrical or plumbing work is part of the job
Other Factors That Affect the Price
Cabinet material and finish
Solid hardwood and furniture-grade plywood boxes cost more than particleboard or MDF, and painted or glazed finishes cost more than stained or laminate ones. Fully installed, laminate cabinet jobs commonly run $4,000 to $15,000, wood $5,000 to $25,000, and specialty finishes such as acrylic or metal go higher.
Layout and number of boxes
Two kitchens with the same linear footage can cost very different amounts. Tall pantry cabinets, corner units with lazy Susans, drawer bases, open shelving and an island all add boxes, filler strips and installation time compared with a straight run of standard base and wall cabinets.
Wall and floor condition
Installers have to level and shim every base cabinet and anchor wall cabinets into studs. Out-of-plumb walls, sagging floors or damaged drywall behind old cabinets add hours. Patching or replacing drywall after tear-out is common in older homes; see our drywall repair cost guide if the walls need work.
Plumbing and electrical changes
Keeping the sink, dishwasher and range where they are keeps cabinet installation simple. Moving them means a plumber or electrician has to reroute lines before the boxes go in, which adds both trade labor and possibly a permit. Under-cabinet lighting also needs wiring that’s easiest to run before wall cabinets are hung.
Countertops and the order of work
Cabinets go in first, then stone or quartz fabricators template the tops on the installed boxes, so countertops are a separate line and a separate visit. Budget for them alongside the cabinets; our countertop installation cost guide breaks down prices by material. Together, new cabinets and counters commonly run $6,000 to $21,000.
Region and lead time
Labor rates in large coastal metros run well above those in rural areas and much of the South and Midwest. Semi-custom and custom orders can take several weeks to arrive, and rush or expedited orders may carry a premium.
Before you hire: get at least three written, itemized quotes from licensed and insured local pros. Prices for the same job often differ by 30% or more, and comparing line items is the fastest way to spot padding or missing work.
Replace vs. Reface: Is Refacing Cheaper?
If your cabinet boxes are solid, square and laid out the way you like, refacing can give you a new look for less. Refacers replace the doors and drawer fronts, cover the visible box faces with new veneer or laminate, and swap the hinges and hardware. The boxes, plumbing and countertops stay in place.
| Option | Typical cost (average kitchen) | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Paint or refinish existing cabinets | $1,500–$6,500 | Boxes and doors are sound; you just want a new color |
| Replace doors and drawer fronts only | $2,200–$6,600 | Boxes are fine but door style is dated |
| Reface (laminate or thermofoil) | $2,000–$4,000 | Tight budget, modern flat look |
| Reface (wood veneer or solid wood) | $5,000–$13,000 | You want a wood look without tear-out |
| Replace cabinets | $4,500–$15,000+ | Boxes are damaged, or you want a new layout or more storage |
Refacing typically runs about $150 to $450 per linear foot with labor making up most of the bill. It stops making sense when water damage has swollen the boxes, when the layout doesn’t work, or when your price is already close to stock replacement. Stock cabinets installed can cost about the same as a premium wood-veneer reface while giving you new boxes, drawers and interiors.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing cabinets yourself is possible if you’re comfortable with a level, a stud finder and a drill, and it can save $1,500 or more on an average kitchen. The hard parts are getting a perfectly level base line for the countertops, hanging heavy wall cabinets safely (this is a two-person job) and scribing fillers to uneven walls. Mistakes show up later as gaps, doors that won’t align, or stone countertops that crack over an uneven base.
Hire a pro if your walls and floors are out of level, if the job includes an island or a lot of tall units, or if you’re installing expensive semi-custom or custom boxes. Any plumbing, gas or electrical changes should go to licensed trades, and some cabinet manufacturers tie warranty coverage to professional installation, so check the terms before you start.
How to Save Money on Kitchen Cabinet Installation
- Keep the same layout. Leaving the sink, dishwasher and range in place avoids plumbing and electrical rework, which is often the hidden cost in a cabinet project.
- Mix grades. Use stock boxes for base and wall runs and spend on one feature piece, such as an island or a pantry cabinet.
- Consider RTA or home-center stock lines with plywood boxes; they can cost far less than semi-custom, especially if you assemble them yourself.
- Do the tear-out yourself if you’re careful about shutting off water and capping lines, and ask the installer for a price without demolition.
- Get at least three itemized quotes that list price per linear foot, removal, trim, hardware and assembly separately so you can compare them fairly.
- Look at refacing or painting first if your boxes are in good shape; it can cut the bill by thousands.
- Shop showroom samples, scratch-and-dent or surplus cabinets when your layout is flexible enough to use standard sizes.
If new cabinets are part of a larger project, plan the appliances at the same time so the openings fit. Our dishwasher installation cost guide covers what it takes to hook up a new unit once the cabinets are in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install kitchen cabinets per linear foot?
Installed prices run about $100 to $300 per linear foot for stock cabinets, $150 to $650 for semi-custom and $500 to $1,200 for custom. Labor alone is typically $50 to $300 per linear foot if you supply the cabinets.
How much does labor cost to install kitchen cabinets?
Installers usually charge $50 to $300 per linear foot or about $40 to $100 per hour. For a typical 25-foot kitchen with stock or semi-custom boxes, labor generally lands between $1,500 and $3,500, more if the installer also assembles RTA cabinets or tears out the old ones.
How long does it take to install kitchen cabinets?
A professional crew can install cabinets in a small kitchen in about 2 to 5 days, while larger kitchens with an island and many tall units can take 10 to 14 days. Ordering lead times for semi-custom and custom cabinets add several weeks before work starts.
Is it cheaper to reface or replace kitchen cabinets?
Refacing usually costs less, about $5,000 to $13,000 for an average kitchen with wood veneer and less with laminate, because the boxes stay in place. It only makes sense when the boxes are solid and the layout works; stock replacement can cost about the same as a premium reface.
Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets?
A straight cabinet swap often doesn’t require a permit, but rules vary by city. If the job includes moving plumbing, adding circuits or outlets, or changing walls, expect a permit, typically $50 to $400.
Should cabinets or countertops be installed first?
Cabinets go in first. Stone and quartz fabricators measure (template) the installed, leveled cabinets, then cut and install the tops, usually one to two weeks later.
