A Cost Breakdown of Cabinet Installation

Whether you want to add more value to your home or want to change the look of a room, new cabinets can work wonders. Finding cabinets you like is relatively simple. The challenge comes from trying to accurately budget the work that needs to be done.

Determining your cabinet installation cost can be a little tricky. Aside from the fact that different companies and individual contractors will have their own unique price, there’s a lot of other costs that come along with the work.

We may not be able to tell you exactly how much cabinets will cost, but we can let you know about the costs you’ll have to account for and how much you can expect them to be. Consider this your guide on the average cost to install cabinets!

Cabinet Cost

The cost of the cabinets themselves can cost anywhere from 25%-50% of the total costs. An average kitchen cabinet will cost you anywhere from $100-$250 per linear foot.

Semi-custom cabinets are built after you order them, and they’re often the best choice for people that have very specific measurements or want a different style cabinet. These tend to be a bit more expensive and can cost $200-$500 per linear foot.

The sky’s the limit when you decide to have fully custom cabinets. They can be made to your exact specifications and can include extra features like special drawers. These tend to be the most expensive option and can cost anywhere from $500 to over $1,000 per linear foot.

Molding is another cost to consider when you’re budgeting for new cabinets. It may not be necessary, and it can easily cost anywhere from $15-$150 per foot. You can see here how some people have used molding to create unique looks.

Labor

The cost of labor is going to depend on a variety factors. The size of your kitchen, the simplicity of installation, custom features that need to be installed, and the skill of the laborers you’re hiring will all affect the price.

We recommend taking measurements of your current cabinets as well as the room you plan on installing new ones in. Giving exact measurements during the shopping/consultation stage can help you get a more accurate price.

You can expect labor to range from $35-$70 per hour. If you have a more complicated project the hourly cost of labor will be a bit higher.

Cabinet Removal

Most people don’t think about how they plan on disposing of their old cabinets until a potential installer brings it up. Some people try to save money on remodeling costs by removing cabinets themselves. Unless you’re a skilled craftsman, we don’t recommend trying to uninstall and dispose of cabinets on your own.

Getting rid of a cabinet isn’t as simple as throwing out a table or other kinds of furniture. Cabinets are installed carefully by using support beams, heavy-duty screws, nails, and bolts. Removing these on your own could lead to you accidentally damaging paint or the walls themselves.

Removal won’t take nearly as long as installation, but you should still expect that to take an hour or two depending on how much needs to be taken out. Expect to pay anywhere from $50-$150 per hour.

Honesty in Cabinet Installation Cost

There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re determining cabinet installation cost. Regardless of what you choose, you should expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 to $8,000 for your new cabinets.

Do you have other home improvement projects you need to budget? We have plenty of posts for savvy DIYers. Browse our posts to get some help on your next project.

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David Jackson

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