If you’re wondering, “How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets?”, the answer generally ranges from \$1,500 to \$20,000 or more. This wide variation depends heavily on the materials chosen, the size of your kitchen, the complexity of the design, and whether you opt for stock, semi-custom, or custom options. This post dives deep into the factors influencing your kitchen cabinet replacement cost and helps you budget effectively for your kitchen remodel.
Image Source: thepickypainters.com
Deciphering Kitchen Cabinet Replacement Costs
Replacing your kitchen cabinets is a significant investment, often forming the largest portion of a kitchen remodel budget. Several key elements contribute to the overall kitchen cabinet remodel cost:
Factors Influencing Cabinet Prices
- Cabinet Type: The fundamental choice between stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets dramatically impacts pricing.
- Stock Cabinets: These are pre-manufactured in standard sizes and styles. They are the most affordable option.
- Semi-Custom Cabinets: These offer more variety in sizes, styles, and finishes. You can often choose from a wider range of door styles, drawer options, and storage solutions. They sit in the middle price-wise.
- Custom Cabinets: Built to your exact specifications, these offer the ultimate in design flexibility, material choices, and unique features. They are the most expensive.
- Material: The wood species, veneers, laminates, or thermofoils used for your cabinets play a big role.
- Plywood vs. Particleboard/MDF: Plywood is generally stronger and more durable, leading to a higher cost. Particleboard and MDF are less expensive but can be less resistant to moisture and wear over time.
- Wood Species: Common options include oak, maple, cherry, birch, and hickory. Each has its own price point and aesthetic. For example, cherry and maple are typically more expensive than oak or birch.
- Finishes: Stains, paints, glazes, and specialty finishes can add to the cost.
- Size and Layout of Your Kitchen: More cabinets mean higher material and labor costs. Complex layouts with many corners or specialized cabinets (e.g., pantry units, appliance garages) will also increase the price.
- Hardware: Cabinet door handles, drawer pulls, hinges, and drawer slides are small details that can add up. High-end or designer hardware will increase the overall cost.
- Features and Accessories: Think about pull-out shelves, lazy Susans, soft-close drawers and doors, spice racks, and trash can pull-outs. These convenience features add to the price but enhance functionality.
- Installation: The cabinet installation cost is a separate but crucial component. This includes the labor for removing old cabinets, preparing the space, installing new cabinets, and ensuring they are level and plumb.
New Kitchen Cabinets Price: A Breakdown by Type
The new kitchen cabinets price varies significantly based on your chosen cabinet type. Here’s a look at typical ranges:
Stock Cabinets
- Price Range: \$1,500 – \$5,000+ for a standard kitchen.
- What to Expect: These cabinets come in fixed sizes and limited styles and finishes. You might need to work around their standard dimensions, potentially leaving small gaps or using filler pieces. They are readily available and can offer a quick turnaround.
Semi-Custom Cabinets
- Price Range: \$3,000 – \$10,000+ for a standard kitchen.
- What to Expect: Offer a good balance of customization and affordability. You can select from a wider array of door styles, colors, finishes, and cabinet sizes. Many offer options for pull-out shelves, specialized drawers, and decorative elements.
Custom Cabinets
- Price Range: \$6,000 – \$20,000+ for a standard kitchen.
- What to Expect: These are built specifically for your kitchen space and design preferences. You have complete control over materials, finishes, sizes, and features. This is the most expensive option but provides unparalleled quality and personalization. The custom kitchen cabinets cost reflects this bespoke nature.
Cost to Reface Kitchen Cabinets vs. Full Replacement
Many homeowners consider cost to reface kitchen cabinets as an alternative to a full replacement. Refacing involves keeping your existing cabinet boxes and replacing only the doors and drawer fronts. Sometimes, a thin veneer is applied to the exposed cabinet frames to match the new doors.
Refacing vs. Replacing: Key Differences
| Feature | Refacing Kitchen Cabinets | Replacing Kitchen Cabinets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Generally 40-60% of replacement cost | Higher, but offers more design flexibility |
| Scope | New doors, drawer fronts, veneer on frames | New cabinet boxes, doors, drawer fronts, shelves |
| Cabinets Boxes | Existing boxes are kept (may be older, less durable) | New, updated boxes are installed |
| Design Options | Limited to door/drawer styles and finishes; frame appearance depends on veneer | Full design freedom with new materials, styles, layouts |
| Durability | Dependent on the condition of existing boxes | Generally higher with new, quality materials and construction |
| Time | Often quicker than full replacement | Can be longer due to demolition and installation |
Cost of Refacing
The cost of kitchen cabinet makeover through refacing typically falls between \$3,000 and \$7,000 for an average-sized kitchen. This can be a significant saving compared to full replacement, especially if your existing cabinet boxes are in good condition and structurally sound.
Cabinet Refinishing Cost: A Budget-Friendly Option
If your cabinet boxes and doors are in good condition but just need a visual update, cabinet refinishing cost is the most budget-friendly route. This involves sanding, staining, painting, or applying a new finish to your existing cabinets.
Refinishing Process and Costs
- DIY Refinishing: If you have the time and patience, you can do this yourself. Costs are typically limited to supplies like sandpaper, primer, paint, stain, brushes, and protective gear, ranging from \$100 to \$500.
- Professional Refinishing: Hiring a professional can cost anywhere from \$1,000 to \$4,000 or more, depending on the kitchen size, complexity, and the type of finish desired. This includes the labor and expertise to achieve a smooth, durable, and attractive finish.
While refinishing can update the look of your kitchen, it doesn’t address structural issues or offer the design flexibility of refacing or replacement.
Cabinet Installation Cost: The Price of Labor
The cabinet installation cost is a significant factor in the overall average cost kitchen cabinet replacement. This fee covers the skilled labor required to install your new cabinets correctly, ensuring they are level, plumb, and securely attached.
What’s Included in Installation Costs?
- Removal and Disposal of Old Cabinets: If you’re replacing existing cabinets, this service is often included.
- Preparation of the Space: This might involve minor wall repairs or cleaning.
- Unpacking and Inspecting New Cabinets: Ensuring no damage occurred during transit.
- Measuring and Marking Placement: Precise layout is critical for a good final look.
- Securing Cabinets: Attaching cabinets to wall studs and to each other.
- Installing Shelves and Doors: Adjusting hinges for proper alignment.
- Basic Cleanup: Removing debris from the installation area.
Typical Installation Costs
- Hourly Rate: Some installers charge by the hour, which can range from \$50 to \$150 per hour, per person.
- Per Cabinet: A common method is charging a per-cabinet fee, which can be \$100 to \$300 per cabinet, depending on size and complexity.
- Percentage of Cabinet Cost: Some contractors may charge 10-20% of the total cabinet material cost for installation.
For a standard kitchen, expect the cabinet installation cost to range from \$1,000 to \$4,000.
Understanding the Cost of Kitchen Cabinet Makeover
A cost of kitchen cabinet makeover can encompass various levels of change, from a simple paint job to a full cabinet overhaul.
Levels of Makeover and Their Costs
-
Surface Level Update (Painting/Staining):
- Cost: \$100 – \$500 (DIY) or \$1,000 – \$4,000 (Professional)
- What it does: Freshens the look of existing cabinets without changing their structure or hardware.
-
Refacing:
- Cost: \$3,000 – \$7,000
- What it does: Replaces doors and drawer fronts, applies veneer to frames. Updates the style and finish.
-
Hardware & Organization Upgrades:
- Cost: \$500 – \$2,000+
- What it does: Adds new knobs, pulls, hinges, and internal organization solutions like pull-out shelves or dividers to existing cabinets.
-
Full Cabinet Replacement:
- Cost: \$1,500 – \$20,000+
- What it does: Replaces the entire cabinet system for a complete transformation.
Cabinet Refinishing Cost: Detailed Look
When considering cabinet refinishing cost, it’s important to differentiate between painting and staining, as well as the quality of the finish.
Painting Cabinets
- DIY: \$100 – \$500 for supplies. Requires significant prep work (cleaning, sanding, priming).
- Professional: \$2,000 – \$6,000 for a standard kitchen. Professionals use high-quality paints, sprayers for a smooth finish, and often add protective topcoats.
Staining Cabinets
- DIY: \$150 – \$600 for supplies. Similar prep work as painting, but requires stain application and multiple topcoats of varnish or polyurethane.
- Professional: \$2,500 – \$7,000 for a standard kitchen. Professional staining can achieve deep, even colors and durable, glossy finishes.
The cost of kitchen cabinet makeover through refinishing is generally the lowest, but it doesn’t offer the structural or design changes of other options.
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Cost: Investing in Bespoke Design
The custom kitchen cabinets cost is at the higher end of the spectrum because you’re paying for personalized design, premium materials, and expert craftsmanship.
Factors Driving Custom Cabinet Costs
- Material Selection: Exotic woods, premium veneers, or specialized finishes will increase the price.
- Design Complexity: Intricate door profiles, custom moldings, hand-carved details, or unique cabinet shapes contribute to higher costs.
- Hardware Choices: High-end custom hardware can add a substantial amount.
- Specialty Features: Integrated lighting, built-in appliance surrounds, and unique storage solutions are priced separately.
- Craftsmanship: The skill and experience of the cabinet maker directly impact the price.
Typical Custom Cabinet Pricing
For a moderately sized kitchen, expect custom kitchen cabinets cost to start around \$6,000 and easily reach \$20,000 or more. This includes the cabinets themselves, but not necessarily installation if you source them from a separate company.
Average Cost Kitchen Cabinet Replacement: A Summary
The average cost kitchen cabinet replacement for a standard-sized kitchen (approximately 10×10 feet) typically falls within the following ranges:
- Stock Cabinets: \$1,500 – \$5,000
- Semi-Custom Cabinets: \$3,000 – \$10,000
- Custom Cabinets: \$6,000 – \$20,000+
- Refacing: \$3,000 – \$7,000
- Refinishing (Professional): \$1,000 – \$4,000
These figures are for the cabinets alone. Remember to factor in the cabinet installation cost, which can add another \$1,000 – \$4,000.
Case Studies: Real Kitchens, Real Costs
To give you a better idea of actual expenses, let’s look at a couple of hypothetical case studies:
Case Study 1: The Budget-Conscious Update
- Kitchen Size: Small (approx. 8×10 feet)
- Goal: Update the look without a major structural change.
- Choice: Stock cabinets with a popular Shaker style in white.
- Cabinet Cost: \$2,500 (Stock cabinets)
- Hardware: \$200 (Standard brushed nickel knobs and pulls)
- Installation Cost: \$1,200 (Professional installation)
- Total Kitchen Cabinet Replacement Cost: \$3,900
Case Study 2: The Mid-Range Modernization
- Kitchen Size: Medium (approx. 10×12 feet)
- Goal: Improve functionality and aesthetics with more design flexibility.
- Choice: Semi-custom cabinets in a dark grey painted finish, with soft-close drawers and a few pull-out accessories.
- Cabinet Cost: \$6,000 (Semi-custom cabinets)
- Hardware: \$400 (Modern bar pulls)
- Installation Cost: \$2,500 (Professional installation, including minor adjustments)
- Total Kitchen Cabinet Replacement Cost: \$8,900
Case Study 3: The High-End Custom Transformation
- Kitchen Size: Large (approx. 15×18 feet)
- Goal: Create a bespoke, high-quality kitchen with unique features.
- Choice: Custom cabinets made from solid cherry wood with a rich stain, intricate door details, built-in pantry unit, and high-end hardware.
- Cabinet Cost: \$15,000 (Custom cabinets)
- Hardware: \$1,000 (Designer cabinet hardware)
- Installation Cost: \$3,500 (Specialized professional installation)
- Total Kitchen Cabinet Replacement Cost: \$19,500
Tips for Managing Your Cabinet Budget
- Get Multiple Quotes: Always get detailed quotes from at least three different contractors or cabinet suppliers.
- Prioritize: Decide what features are most important to you. If budget is tight, you might opt for stock cabinets but invest in higher-quality hardware.
- Consider Refacing or Refinishing: If your existing boxes are in good shape, these can offer significant savings.
- Look for Sales and Promotions: Cabinet suppliers often have seasonal sales or special offers.
- Factor in the Unexpected: It’s wise to add a 10-20% contingency to your budget for unforeseen issues.
- DIY Where Possible: If you’re handy, consider doing some of the demolition or even painting yourself to save on labor costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the cheapest way to update kitchen cabinets?
The cheapest way is often DIY cabinet refinishing (painting or staining). If you need new doors, refacing is typically cheaper than a full replacement.
Q2: Can I replace just the cabinet doors?
Yes, you can replace just the doors and drawer fronts, which is essentially cabinet refacing. Make sure to match the door style and finish to your existing cabinet boxes for a cohesive look.
Q3: How long does it take to replace kitchen cabinets?
A full cabinet replacement typically takes 1-2 weeks, depending on the size of the kitchen and the complexity of the installation. Refacing might take slightly less time.
Q4: What is the average cost of kitchen cabinet replacement?
The average cost kitchen cabinet replacement for a standard kitchen can range from \$3,000 to \$10,000, including installation, but custom options can push this much higher.
Q5: Are custom kitchen cabinets worth the cost?
Custom kitchen cabinets cost more, but they offer unparalleled design flexibility, precise fitting to your space, and often higher quality materials and construction. If you have unique needs or desire a truly bespoke kitchen, they can be worth the investment.
Q6: What’s the difference between refacing and refinishing?
Refacing means replacing the doors and drawer fronts, often with a veneer applied to the cabinet frames. Refinishing involves sanding, painting, or staining your existing doors, drawer fronts, and frames.
Replacing kitchen cabinets is a major project, but with careful planning and research into the various options, you can achieve a beautiful and functional kitchen that fits your budget.