Cost of Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Custom kitchen cabinets range anywhere from $500 to $1,200 or higher. The only limiting factors are the size of your home and your budget. You can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $750 or more on materials with an additional $200 to $450 or more on labor for most installs.

Your new kitchen cabinets are either made entirely from scratch on-site, with labor running up to 75% or more of the cost, or measured and designed on-site but built in a specialized factory and delivered to your installer. Either way, you end up paying top dollar for a completely unique kitchen.

Custom Cabinet Prices Per Linear Foot

The average linear foot price runs $700. This includes the cost of materials, labor, hardware and accessories. The main factors that affect your installation are the type of materials you use, the complexity of the installation and any upgrades you choose.

Average Cost of Custom Millwork

Though medium density fiberboard (MDF) is an excellent option in cabinets, you’ll usually find it in the off-the-shelf types at a range of $2,000 to $7,000 for a complete kitchen. Most semi-custom and custom in the $9,000 to $30,000 range use a combination of real wood and plywood with veneers, which we discuss in more detail below.

Quality plywood is the superior choice in most circumstances because of its laminated construction that resists warping with better mechanical strength than solid wood. Both plywood and MDF, or particle board, come in a wide quality selection. Typically, the higher the cost, the better-quality materials you’ll have and the longer your new kitchen will last.

Steel

Steel cabinets cost $1,000 to $1,500 per linear foot. The average kitchen of 25 linear feet would run $25,000 to $38,000. All are personally designed and manufactured for each project. Styles include solid steel, metal and glass, and stainless with wood accents.

Laminate Veneer & Custom-Made Cabinet Door Pricing

Most people tend to think that premium made-to-order work is always solid wood, but this isn’t the case. High-end plywood – a laminated wood – resists warping and shrinking with a higher mechanical ability than solid woods. Therefore, furniture-grade plywood with real wood veneers make up the boxes of almost all designer work.

The wood veneers are laminated onto the boxes and are typically the same type used for the solid wood portions of the build, typically the frames, face frames, door frames and drawers. This means the veneer portions and the solid wood portions seamlessly match.

When you order specially designed boxes, veneers are already applied and ready for installation. Most homeowners wouldn’t buy laminate veneers by themselves unless redoing cabinets as a DIY. Refacing custom cabinets costs $4,500 to $9,500. MDF boxes also have veneers attached, though more often of a cheaper variety like Thermofoil.

Single doors can range anywhere from $50 to $150 or more for exotic woods with installation costs adding another $100 to $250 each.

Cabinet Installation Cost Estimator

Custom cabinets cost 2 to 5 times as much as stock or even semi-custom. For a 10 by 10 kitchen with 20 linear feet, customized work runs $10,000 to $24,000. Semi and stock cabinet installation costs range anywhere from $2,000 to $13,000 for the same size. Consider this list of prices before beginning your construction.

Premium pricing tends towards the higher end due to additions like molding, trim and other finishing work.

Other factors that can impact your costs include the location of the job site, delivery and accessibility. Compare tailored installation with the average stock kitchen cabinet cost if these factors significantly increase your project budget.

Custom Kitchen Features and Add-Ons

These cabinets offer complete flexibility. Additional features and design options will add to the overall cost. Here are some features to consider:

You can buy many of these features after your installation, but it may cost more. To ensure a uniform look, it’s best to include additional features in your initial build.

Cost of Custom vs. Semi-Custom vs. Prefabricated

• Stock:$60 to $100 per linear foot. Standard models. Prefabricated and offer no customization.
• Semi-custom:$100 to $650 per linear foot. Adaptable from a list of pre-built options. Perfect for homeowners looking for unique cabinets without the hefty designer price.
• Custom: $500 to $1,200 per linear foot. Crafted to your exact specifications.

Cost to Build Cabinets

About 75% of a custom build is labor, though it varies by location and material. The labor alone runs anywhere from $7,000 to $20,000 or more. A professional installation, including materials and labor, would run anywhere from $15,000 to $36,000 for 30 linear feet.

While doing it yourself saves most of the project costs, you’ll need specialized woodworking equipment, experience and the time to do it.

Pitfalls of Building your Own Kitchen Cabinets

If you’re a skilled woodworker with a woodshop, building your own makes for an excellent DIY project. Without the tools or experience you’re better off leaving this project to a professional. You could risk damage in future from improper materials, installation or finishing.

Designing Cabinets for Storage Needs

Cabinets serve as an important focal point in many kitchens. But the primary function is storage. Here are some important storage-related features to consider when choosing cabinets:

• Additional drawers for your pots and pans increase your design’s organization and ease of use. Built-in spice racks also keep hard-to-reach seasonings handy.
• If you like to entertain, opt for glass-fronts to show off beautiful stemware or decorative china. Include additional drawer suites for silverware and napkins.
• Ease of access is important for homeowners with limited mobility. Sliding drawers are available with most designs. Slide-out drawers help homeowners with wheelchairs or problems reaching into low cabinets.
• An unusually shaped kitchen will demand tailored work. Have your kitchen outfitted with these to avoid difficult storage and problematic cleaning.

FAQs

How Much Do Custom Garage Cabinets Cost?

Specially designed garage cabinets can range anywhere from $3,000 to $25,000+ depending on the size and customization options.

What’s the Cost of Custom Bathroom Cabinet or Vanity?

Personalized bathroom cabinets run about the same as kitchen varieties at $500 to $1,200 per linear foot or about $3,000 to $10,000 per bathroom.

How Much Are Built in Shelves or a Bookcase?

Built-in bookshelves cost from $1,200 to $4,000 or more. Installing them yourself runs only $200 to $500. They are much less complex than cabinetry.

In Conclusion

Custom cabinetry will help define the look and functionality of your kitchen. It’s important to consider your budget, usage and space before you decide which style and material to use. Use this guide to help you narrow your options and choose the design that works best for your home.