How Much do Custom Kitchen Cabinets Cost?

When planning a kitchen remodel, one of the biggest decisions and expenses will be the cabinetry. Kitchens have evolved in purpose and design over the years.

Custom kitchen cabinets now offer the highest level of kitchen design freedom, quality, design, and functionality, but they come with a price tag to match. Let’s explore what custom cabinets cost, and how Cabinet Coatings can help you achieve the same custom look through cabinet refacing, refinishing or remodeling, often for a fraction of the price.

What Are Custom Cabinets?

Unlike stock cabinets or semi-custom cabinets, custom kitchen cabinets are built to order. They will be made to your exact dimensions, style preferences, and storage needs for your kitchen remodel. They’re ideal for homeowners looking to maximize every inch of space or wanting unique features that off-the-shelf kitchen cabinet options can’t offer.

Average Cost of Custom Cabinets

The cost range of custom kitchen cabinets are typically between $500 and $1,200+ per linear foot, depending on materials, finishes, hardware, and construction complexity.  The overall price for homeowners will also be influenced by the region you live in and your choice of custom cabinet maker. Here is a general estimate based on what type of custom cabinetry you choose.

There are different options available when choosing custom cabinets. A low-end choice with simple design and basic materials on average will be $500+ per linear foot. A mid-range option includes higher quality materials and more customization averages $850+ per linear foot. High-end custom cabinets use premium materials and intricate designs with an average of  $1,200+ per linear foot.

 For an average-sized kitchen, custom kitchen cabinet prices are $20,000 to $40,000+ and larger kitchens can oftentimes be $50,000 – $100,000.These are average costs, and the total cost for your custom cabinetry in Arizona may vary depending on your specific needs, kitchen design, custom cabinetry preferences, finishes, labor costs, high-end materials, etc.

Graph by Homeguide

Key Cost Factors

Numerous factors within your cabinetry project will impact the project cost depending on kitchen cabinet size and width, craftsmanship, additional features, and custom options that you choose.

Materials

Lower-cost wood cabinet materials include MDF (medium-density fiberboard), particleboard with laminate or thermofoil. Mid-range wood cabinet materials include plywood boxes with hardwood doors. High-end custom cabinetry includes solid woods like cherry, walnut, maple, exotic woods, and custom veneers.

Cabinet Construction

Dovetail joints (seen below), soft-close hardware, and full-extension slides cost more, but offer superior durability. Frameless (Euro-style which gives a sleeker look and more interior space) vs. framed cabinets (adds strength and a visible face frame) can also impact cabinet prices.

Finish Options

Custom paint colors, stains, glazing, and hand-applied finishes add both visual appeal and cost. Specialty techniques like distressing or high-gloss lacquer are priced as upgrades.

Cabinet Door Styles

Slab (flat) doors are generally cheaper than raised panels or intricate shaker styles. Glass inserts or custom woodwork increase the overall cabinet cost.

Size and Layout Complexity

Irregular layouts, sloped ceilings, or floor to ceiling cabinetry can significantly increase material and labor costs for your cabinet prices so careful measurements are needed. Islands, peninsulas, and specialty units like range hoods or appliance garages also count as upgrades.

Extra Features that Add to the Total Cost

Custom doesn’t just mean size and configuration in a kitchen design. It can include a host of functional and aesthetic upgrade custom options for storage solution, such as pull-out spice racks, trash bins, and tray dividers.

Lazy Susans or corner swing-outs.

Built-in wine racks, charging stations, toe kicks, or corbels are custom options. Premium finishes, high-end hardwoods, appliance garages, under-cabinet or in-cabinet lighting, soft-close, custom hardware, or push-to-open systems, and decorative moldings are also extra.

These extras can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your total cost depending on quantity and complexity.

Don’t Forget Installation Costs

Labor cost with cabinet installation will add to your total cost, typically accounting for 10% to 25% of your total cabinet budget. For a medium kitchen, that’s $2000-$5,000+ on average. Factors that affect installation pricing include: project complexity, wall conditions (old plaster vs. drywall), custom fitting or filler panel needs, electrical or plumbing adjustments, tall or ceiling-hung cabinets, kitchen size, and whether demolition or prep work is needed.

Sometimes, custom cabinet makers include installation costs in their price, so always ask to confirm.

Custom Cabinets, Semi-Custom Cabinets, Stock Cabinets–A Quick Comparison

Stock cabinets are generally the most affordable option, but that cost savings comes with tradeoffs in quality, durability, and design flexibility compared to semi-custom or custom cabinets. Stock cabinets use lower quality materials, have a limited lifespan (10-15 years), and minimal flexibility. These are decent for budget remodels or rental properties.

Semi-Custom cabinets are great if you want a balance of quality, style, and price. There is some flexibility, but you’re still working within a catalog. Semi-custom cabinets use better materials, have more size/style choices, but they are still limited compared to full custom cabinets. Depending on the chosen materials, the expected lifespan is 15-25 years.

Custom cabinetry is ideal for high-end renovations or tricky spaces where exact fit, maximum design, control, or unique features are required. With custom cabinets you can expect high-quality solid wood, carpentry and construction, fully personalized, and perfect fit. Custom cabinetry will have a longer lead time to make and a higher price tag. These cabinets are however, designed to last 25-50+ years.

Want the Look Without the Full Custom Price?

This is where Cabinet Coatings comes in. We specialize in helping homeowners get a custom-designed kitchen using cabinet refacing, refinishing, and remodeling all while saving you money.

What can be included with cabinet refacing, cabinet remodeling, or cabinet refinishing? New cabinet doors in your chosen style (shaker, slab, etc.) with custom painted finishes. New drawer fronts and soft-close hardware. Matching trim toe kicks, and crown molding. Glass inserts, pull-outs, and storage upgrades can be added to your kitchen design.

Final Thoughts

Custom kitchen cabinets and pantry cabinets are a worthwhile investment if you value high quality, design control, high-end craftsmanship, and smart use of space for your kitchen renovation. While custom cabinetry has a higher price than other options, they can add serious value to your home–both in function and resale appeal.

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, build a clear wish list of must-haves vs. nice to have features and work with a custom cabinet maker to stay within your budget without sacrificing what matters most.

Custom cabinets are a beautiful, long-term investment. But remember, custom cabinets are not the only way to upgrade your kitchen. If your cabinet layout is functional and your boxes are in good shape, cabinet refacing, refinishing, and remodeling can give you the style and function of custom cabinets without the high cost or long wait.

So if you’d love those custom cabinets, but your budget won’t cover it, the options of cabinet refinishing, refacing, or remodeling of your existing cabinets are available to you-allowing a cost-effective way of kitchen remodeling.

Cabinet Coatings can assist with updating the look and feel of your kitchen cabinets. We also  do other types of cabinet work including pantry cabinets and laundry room cabinets. We can help you choose your countertops while providing options that are good quality and more budget-friendly than custom cabinets.

Let Cabinet Coatings help you with your kitchen design. Call us for a free consultation to see how we can help create the kitchen of your dreams. Check out our service area today.