November 14, 2022 | Read time: 6
As kitchen styles, trends and technology change, you might find yourself with a kitchen that no longer suits your needs. One of the prime areas for updating is the kitchen cabinets, and there are lots of options to consider!
From simply repainting your cabinets to removing and replacing them entirely, there is an option for every budget.
Not all kitchen cabinets are created equal, and there can be variations depending on materials and build quality. You should expect to spend between $4,000 and $13,000 on kitchen cabinets, and the average cost for kitchen cabinets is $11,000.1
The price of kitchen cabinets is hugely variable and is influenced by many factors, including:
One of the first decisions you'll have to make when replacing your kitchen cabinets is choosing stock cabinets from a big box store like the Home Depot or IKEA or having them custom-made by a local cabinet maker.
Stock cabinets are less expensive because they are made in standard sizes in a factory. Unfortunately, if you have a special request, you might not find a cabinet to suit your needs and there is no option to customize a stock cabinet.
On the other hand, custom cabinets are designed and handmade to fit your kitchen. So anything you can dream up, your custom cabinet maker can make—but it will cost you.
The size of your kitchen will significantly impact the number of cabinets you need, which will impact the final price you will pay. While many home renovation projects can be estimated by square footage, it's not as easy with a kitchen.
For example, the cost of a 10 x 10 kitchen with only base cabinets and open shelving will be much less expensive than the same square footage with base cabinets, uppers and full-length pantry-style cabinets. For this reason, cabinet projects are usually priced by the total number of cabinets. The more cabinets, the higher the cost.
There is a wide variety in the quality of materials you can choose for your kitchen cabinets, each with its look, degree of functionality and durability. The difference in the quality of the materials you choose can be dramatic, from simple particle board with a lifespan of 3 to 5 years without damage and the inability to stand intense modifications to durable wood and even stainless steel.5
|
Type of kitchen cabinet |
Cost range1 |
|
Wood veneer |
$2,000 to $15,000 |
|
Laminate |
$4,000 to $15,000 |
|
Wood |
$5,000 to $25,000 |
|
Acrylic |
$5,000 to $20,000 |
|
Stainless steel |
$25,000 to $38,000 |
Source: BobVila.com1
Installing your kitchen cabinets involves two major components: demolition and installation labor. Demolition consists in removing the old cabinets and any other kitchen components to be replaced, like the sink, faucet and dishwasher. This part of the process can be messy and takes a bit of technical know-how, but it can be done either by the pros or as a DIY project. The cost for removal is typically around $300 to $500.1
After the kitchen is demolished, you must install the new kitchen. While the cabinets are a big chunk of the cost of a cabinet installation project, another considerable portion is the cost to install the cabinets. You can expect the labor costs to be roughly half the cost of kitchen cabinets, averaging between $130 and $200 per cabinet.1
What makes kitchen cabinets such a vital part of your home is how customizable they are. Cabinets are available in nearly every possible color, grain and style, so there will always be an option to suit your taste. That said, some finishes are more expensive than others.1 For example, painting your cabinets a custom color will cost more than a standard white or grey, and choosing a rare wood veneer might be more expensive than opting for more common options, such as walnut or maple.1
Kitchen cabinets aren't just wooden boxes. These days, kitchen cabinets can be loaded with gadgets like built-in waste bins, cooking pot storage and even a built-in spice rack.2 These additions can make your kitchen much more functional but add to the final bill. Some examples of accessories and their costs include:
|
Accessory |
Cost4 |
|
Customizable pegboard drawer organization |
$14 |
|
Pull-out recycling bins |
$45 |
|
Pull-out pantry organizer |
$480 |
|
Wall-corner cabinet carousel |
$80 |
|
Pull-out wire basket |
$29 |
Source: IKEA4
First, decide on the number of cabinets you'll want in your kitchen. For example, a small kitchen might have 17 cabinets.
Then, choose the material you'd like for your cabinet. For example, wood veneer kitchen cabinets cost between $2,000 and $15,000.1 For a small kitchen, you'll need fewer cabinets, so it's safe to assume you can estimate a cost that is on the lower end of this estimate, for example, $5,000. For a medium kitchen, you would estimate a cost midway between the high and low estimates, and for a large kitchen, use the high end of the estimate. You can obtain more accurate pricing by visiting hardware stores with cabinet prices indicated, but for this estimation, we'll assume $5,000.
After that, estimate the demolition cost, typically between $300 and $500 for an average-sized kitchen.1
Finally, estimate the installation cost, which is between $130 to $200 per cabinet if you're hiring a pro.1 Using this information, we can estimate a range of costs:
Low range: $5,000 materials cost + $300 demolition cost + ($130 x 17) installation cost: $5,000 + $300 + $2,210 = $7,510
Perhaps you want to update your cabinets, but they are in good condition. In this case, the state of the cabinets might not warrant total replacement. Instead, you can opt to repaint or reface them.
Repainting kitchen cabinets involves removing and painting the doors and cabinet boxes with fresh paint. Because cabinets experience a lot of wear and tear, the paint you use must be exceptionally resilient and hardwearing. You'll need to use specialty cabinet paint. You can DIY repainting your kitchen cabinets or hire a professional who will provide a near-perfect finish. The cost to paint kitchen cabinets for a pro is generally around $3,320 for a small kitchen, $5,250 for a medium kitchen and $8,895 for a large kitchen.3
If your kitchen cabinet doors have been damaged from everyday use or have an unattractive, dated profile, you can opt to install new cabinet doors but keep the existing cabinet boxes. This strategy lets you completely update the look of your cabinets without the hassle of demolishing your entire kitchen. You can expect kitchen cabinet refacing to ring in at 50% of the cost of installing new cabinets, with an average price of $7,500 for a medium-sized kitchen.3
Kitchen cabinets are the workhorse of your kitchen, so as they age, you may want to consider replacing them. If you aren't sure whether you should replace your kitchen cabinets, here are some signs it might be time:
Replacing your kitchen cabinets comes with a slew of decisions to make, one of which is how you'll pay for them. You have many options when it comes to financing, including the Synchrony HOMETM Credit Card. This credit card is accepted at home improvement retailers across the country and offers promotional financing options from 12-60 months at select participating Synchrony HOME locations or 6 months promotional financing on purchases of $299 or more anywhere your card is accepted.*
* Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Promotional financing offers available at the time of purchase may vary by location. See store for details.