How much does it cost to remodel kitchen cabinets?
How much does it cost to remodel kitchen cabinets?
$1,500 – $4,500 cost to refinish or stain cabinets
$2,000 – $6,500 cost to paint cabinets
$5,000 – $13,000 cost to reface cabinets
$2,200 – $6,600 cost to replace cabinet doors
Kitchen cabinet remodel costs
A kitchen cabinet remodel costs $1,500 to $13,000 on average, depending on the renovation method. The cost to redo kitchen cabinets by refinishing or staining is the cheapest at $1,500 to $4,500. Cabinet refacing costs $5,000 to $13,000 and includes new cabinet doors and cabinet box veneers.
| Remodel | Small kitchen (< 100 SF) | Average kitchen (100 – 200 SF) | Large kitchen (> 200 SF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware replacement | $60 – $1,200 | $120 – $2,400 | $240 – $3,600 |
| Refinishing or staining | $900 – $2,500 | $1,500 – $4,500 | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Painting | $1,000 – $3,500 | $2,000 – $6,500 | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Refacing | $4,000 – $10,000 | $5,000 – $13,000 | $9,000 – $22,000+ |
| Replace all doors | $1,800 – $4,000 | $2,200 – $6,600 | $3,600 – $7,900 |
| Full cabinet replacement (stock or semi-custom cabinets) | $3,000 – $12,000 | $4,500 – $15,000 | $6,000 – $20,000+ |
| Full cabinet replacement (custom cabinets) | $12,000 – $20,000 | $15,000 – $30,000 | $18,000 – $36,000+ |
*Costs include materials and labor.
Kitchen cabinet renovation costs by service
Kitchen cabinet hardware replacement
The cost to install cabinet hardware is $6 to $60 per piece, including labor and materials. New cabinet hardware costs $1 to $30 per piece for most materials and up to $200 each for handles made of high-end metals like copper and zinc alloy.
Tip: Choose new handles that match the existing hole spacing to minimize labor costs.
Kitchen cabinet refinishing or staining
Cabinet refinishing costs $1,500 to $4,500 for an average kitchen, depending on the number of cabinets, wood type, stain type, and color. Cabinet refinishing involves sanding and stripping the stain or paint from the cabinets, doors, and drawer fronts before staining the cabinets a new color.
The cost to stain kitchen cabinets is $4 to $15 per square foot. Staining is the most common type of cabinet refinishing.
Kitchen cabinet painting
The cost to paint kitchen cabinets is $30 to $70 per linear foot or $2,000 to $6,500 total, depending on the material, number of doors and drawers, and painting method. Professional cabinet painters charge $25 to $75 per hour.
Kitchen cabinet refacing
Kitchen cabinet refacing costs $150 to $450 per linear foot or $5,000 to $13,000 total, depending on the material.
Cabinet refacing includes replacing the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware before covering the exterior with a new veneer or laminate. Refacing is also called “resurfacing” or a "cabinet makeover."
Cost to remodel kitchen cabinets by project
Kitchen cabinet door replacement
Replacing cabinet doors costs $180 to $330 each with installation or $2,200 to $6,600 total for an average kitchen. New cabinet doors and drawer fronts cost $30 to $300 each for the materials alone, depending on the size, type, style, and finish.
Full kitchen cabinets replacement
Stock or semi-custom kitchen cabinets cost $100 to $700 per linear foot installed or $4,500 to $15,000 total on average, depending on the style and material.
Custom cabinets cost $500 to $1,200 per linear foot installed or $15,000 to $30,000 total for an average-sized kitchen (100 to 200 SF).
| Type | Cost per cabinet* | Cost per linear foot* | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock cabinets | $220 – $500 | $100 – $400 | Low to good |
| Semi-custom cabinets | $250 – $850 | $150 – $700 | Low to great |
| Custom cabinets | $600 – $1,600+ | $500 – $1,200 | Good to great |
*Including materials and installation.
Cost factors to remodel kitchen cabinets
The following factors affect the total remodeling cost:
Kitchen size – Larger kitchens with more cabinets have higher renovation costs. However, the cost per square foot may be higher for small kitchens due to minimum project fees.
Cabinet height – Refinishers and painters typically charge up to 10% more for cabinets taller than 8 feet. Costs are highest for large kitchens with ceiling-height cabinets.
Cabinet material – Some materials are more difficult to refinish, reface, or paint, increasing labor costs and time. Adding new solid wood doors costs
25% to 150% more than MDF, laminate, or Thermofoil doors.
Cabinet detail – Cabinets with complex carvings or extensive detail take longer to sand, stain, or paint, increasing labor costs.
Stock vs. custom cabinets – Custom cabinets and doors cost 2 to 3 times more than stock or semi-custom options.
Cabinet overlay – The overlay is the door part resting on top of or "overlapping" the cabinet frame when closed. Doors that completely cover the cabinet frame are more modern but may cost more than partial overlay doors.
Labor – Labor is 60% to 80% of the total cost. Labor costs increase for cabinets with complex layouts or tight angles with limited access.
Preparation & repairs – Kitchen cabinet repair costs $120 to $600 on average, depending on the amount of damage.
Trim & molding – Crown molding costs $210 to $570 with installation in a kitchen.
Add-ons & accessories:
Under-cabinet lighting costs $200 to $350 per fixture, including labor and materials.
A custom kitchen pantry costs $1,000 to $5,000.
New pull-out shelves and in-cabinet organizers increase the project cost but improve the kitchen’s usability.
Appliances – New kitchen appliances cost $250 to $1,300 each, on average.
Permits – Kitchen remodeling permits cost $500 to $1,500, depending on the project size.
Cost to redo kitchen cabinets on a budget
Consider these options to redo or update kitchen cabinets on a budget:
Refinish the existing cabinets instead of refacing or replacing them. Refinishing costs 60% to 70% less than refacing or a full cabinet replacement.
Replace the cabinet hardware yourself to quickly update the kitchen's look. Replacing handles is an easy DIY job if the new hardware has the same hole spacing as the previous hardware.
Select budget-grade cabinet hardware instead of more costly materials like copper.
If replacing the cabinets, choose stock cabinets instead of semi-custom or custom cabinetry.
Handle the demo and cleanup yourself to reduce labor costs.
Consider painting the cabinets yourself. DIY cabinet painting costs $200 to $600 for paint and supplies.
Getting estimates from kitchen cabinet contractors
When hiring a kitchen cabinet company near you, be sure to:
Get at least three estimates with comparable materials.
Select licensed, bonded, and insured companies with 5+ years of experience.
Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Get a detailed contract and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Avoid selecting the lowest quote as it may indicate low-quality work.
Never pay in full before the project starts.
Questions to ask
How many cabinet remodeling projects have you worked on?
Can you provide references with contact information?
Do you have a portfolio of before-and-after photos?
Should I refinish, reface, or replace my cabinets, and why?
Does the estimate include new hardware and cleanup?
How long will the project take?
Do you offer a warranty, and if so, what does it include?