How Much Do New Kitchen Cabinets Cost?

By Elizabeth Smith

February 28, 2026

When you're remodeling a kitchen, cabinets are often the biggest expense. On average, the kitchen cabinet cost accounts for up to 40% of the total budget. Of course, costs can vary dramatically based on the materials, design, and installation type.

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Whether you have a tiny galley kitchen or a chef's dream kitchen, it's important to understand how your selections could affect your bottom line.

How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost On Average?

Kitchen cabinets can cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 (CAD 6,860 to CAD 20,580) for an average kitchen. Your actual price might be higher or lower.

The size of your kitchen has a big impact on price. If you have a small kitchen with just a few cabinets (up to 100 square feet), you might only pay $3,000 (CAD 4,116). For a space that's more than 200 square feet, your costs could be $20,000 (CAD 27,439) or more.

To estimate how much you can expect to pay, measure the total length of your cabinets (also called linear feet). Most cabinets run between $150 and $500 (CAD 206 to CAD 686) per linear foot. If you need 20 feet of cabinets, for example, you could spend anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 (CAD 4,116 to CAD 13,720).

What Factors Affect the Cost to Replace Kitchen Cabinets?

The numbers above are just average estimates. The price you pay to replace your kitchen cabinets depends on factors including:

Material choice
Hardware selection
Kitchen size
Number of cabinets
Design complexity
Local labor costs
Delivery fees

Because these factors can vary considerably from home to home and city to city, kitchen cabinet costs can swing widely.

How Much Do Different Types Of Cabinets Cost?

When you're choosing kitchen cabinets, you can typically choose from three different options:

Stock. Stock cabinets are mass produced using standard measurements and designs. As a result, they tend to be the most affordable option. They usually cost about $100 to $400 (CAD 137 to CAD 549) per linear foot.
Semi-custom. These cabinets are pre-manufactured, but they can be customized and modified to fit your kitchen. You'll need to wait a little longer to get them, and you can expect to pay an average of $150 to $700 (CAD 206 to CAD 960) per linear foot.
Custom. Custom cabinets are built to your exact specifications. You have complete control over the design, finish, style, and material. In return, you'll pay between $500 and $1,200 (CAD 686 to CAD 1646) per linear foot on average. However, high-end custom cabinets for a large kitchen can cost well over $100,000 (CAD 137,197).

Stock cabinets are almost always the most affordable option. They can also be a convenient choice when you're on a tight remodeling timeline. The cost of custom cabinets might be worth it if you have a specific vision for your home.

How Much Do Cabinets Cost by Material?

The material you choose for your kitchen cabinets can affect the final price. Common options include:

Medium-density fiberboard (MDF): These engineered-wood cabinets are affordable, ranging from $1,500 to $15,000 (CAD 2,056 to CAD 20,535) in an average kitchen.
Laminate: These cabinets are usually made from MDF or particleboard laminated with plastic resin for extra durability. They can range from $1,500 to $12,000 (CAD 2,056 to CAD 16,428).
Plywood: Cabinets made from plywood are strong and resistant to sagging and moisture damage. They're usually paired with wood doors. Expect to spend between $2,000 and $25,000 (CAD 2,744 to CAD 34,299).
Wood: The most expensive cabinet material is solid wood, which can cost $5,000 to $30,000 (6,860 CAD to CAD 41,159) or more. Although the price is higher, these cabinets tend to be the most durable and long-lasting.

When choosing materials, it's helpful to consider how the cabinets will be used. If you're building a forever home, wood might be a good option. For a rental property or vacation rental, you might go with less expensive laminate or MDF cabinets.

How Much Does Kitchen Cabinet Installation Cost?

Once you buy your kitchen cabinets, you'll need to get them installed. If you're not doing it yourself, plan to pay an average of $50 to $450 (CAD 68 to CAD 617) per linear foot for professional installation.

However, prices can vary widely based on where you live; kitchen cabinet installation labor costs are different from city to city. The complexity of the design — and how many installers you need — can also affect your price.

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What Is Kitchen Cabinet Refacing?

Kitchen cabinet refacing is the process of updating your cabinets by:

Replacing cabinet doors
Replacing drawer fronts
Adding hardware
Covering boxes in veneers or laminate

This process can transform the look and style of your kitchen without requiring a complete renovation. If you can't justify the average cost of new cabinets, refacing might be a reasonable alternative. And in many cases, you can handle a refacing project on your own without the help of professional installers.

How Much Does It Cost to Reface Kitchen Cabinets?

Refacing kitchen cabinets is often cheaper than replacing the cabinets completely, but it depends on who's doing the work. On average, refacing materials cost between $1,500 and $6,500 (CAD 2,056 to CAD 8,918).

If you're doing the project yourself, that's all you'll need to pay; if you need someone to do the work for you, it could add another $3,500 to $6,500 (CAD 4,802 to CAD 8,918). At that point, however, the total project costs increase to $5,000 to $15,000 (CAD 6,860 to CAD 20,580) — close to the cost of replacing the cabinets.

Can You Install Kitchen Cabinets Yourself?

You can install kitchen cabinets yourself if you have basic carpentry skills, or you're willing to learn. Here's an overview of what's involved:

Assemble the cabinets. If you're buying stock cabinets, you may need to put them together. Models you buy from big-box stores typically come with all the hardware you need, but you might want to have a drill or a screwdriver on hand.
Determine where the cabinets will go. Mark their locations on the wall in pencil, and make sure they'll fit in the space.
Hang the cabinet boxes. Install hanging hardware (such as French cleats) on the wall and the back of the cabinets, and set the cabinet boxes in place. Using long screws, attach the cabinets to the walls at the studs. Some cabinets use screws alone.
Attach doors, drawers, and hardware. Hang the doors using hinges, mount the drawers, and install pulls.

This process seems simple at first glance, but it requires you to measure carefully, locate studs, and ensure that the cabinets are level. You'll need at least one additional person to help you. If you work gradually, however, you can certainly save a great deal of money by installing cabinets on your own.

When is it better to call in a professional? Hire an installer if you're short on time, you're doing the remodel on your own, or you're uncomfortable with power tools. A professional can also be helpful if you're planning to sell the property and it needs to be finished to a high standard.

What Are Some Ways to Reduce Kitchen Cabinet Costs?

If your initial cabinet estimates don't fit into your kitchen remodel budget, there are a few things you can do to cut kitchen cabinet costs. By getting creative or making sacrifices in terms of materials, you might be able to bring the price down to an acceptable level. Here are some ways to lower the price of kitchen cabinets.

Refinish Instead of Refacing

Refinishing is the best way to give your kitchen cabinets a new look without spending a lot of money. After all, cabinet door replacement costs can add up quickly. Instead of replacing doors and drawers and worrying about veneers, you can simply treat the surface and add a new finish. Solid wood cabinets are the easiest to refinish — you can sand down the finish and add a new stain or paint. You can also refinish MDF and laminate cabinets, but it's a little trickier because you have to degrease, sand, and prime the cabinets first. Then, you can paint them.

This option is labor-intensive, but it can save you a great deal of money. As long as you can do the work yourself, your only costs will be supplies.

Choose MDF or Laminate

Cabinetry material costs make up a good portion of the total price. If you want new cabinets, you can save 30% or more by choosing MDF or laminate models instead of solid wood. These materials are a lot cheaper, and you can find a variety of colors, styles, and finishes. There are trade-offs in terms of durability and longevity, but the upfront cost savings may be worth it.

Buy Stock Cabinets Instead of Custom

If possible, renovate your kitchen using stock cabinets. Because these units are pre-manufactured, they're much cheaper than paying a professional to design custom units for your kitchen. And unless your kitchen is an unusual shape or size, or you have specific, unique design needs, stock cabinets can still create a high-end look that adds to the value of your home.

Opt for Wood Doors and Plywood Boxes

Solid-wood cabinets are beautiful and long-lasting, but they're also the most expensive kitchen cabinetry price per foot. If you want the same look and a more reasonable price tag, choose plywood boxes and solid wood doors. You'll save some money, and you likely won't notice the difference.

Select Frameless Doors

Whether you opt for stock or custom cabinets, choose frameless cabinets. These models are made without a front face frame, which reduces material and manufacturing costs. Instead, the doors mount to the side of the cabinet boxes, creating a sleek, updated look.

That doesn't mean your design choices are limited; you can buy frameless versions of most standard cabinet styles. This simple switch can reduce the average slab, raised panel, or Shaker-style cabinet cost by 10% to 20%.

Planning for Kitchen Cabinet Costs

Cabinets are the most visible part of any kitchen, so they're worth investing in. As you plan a budget for your remodeling or construction project, it's important to consider how you'll use the space and your future plans for the home. By comparing your options carefully, you can keep kitchen cabinet costs in check while finding the right balance between style, quality, and price.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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