Staring at your outdated kitchen and wondering, ‘How much do new kitchen cabinets cost?’ You’re not alone. The price tag on new cabinets can make or break your remodeling budget, with costs ranging from $15,000 to $80,000 depending on quality and customization. As the most visible feature in your kitchen, cabinets define both functionality and style—making this investment decision particularly important.
At Lamont Bros. Design & Construction, we’ve guided hundreds of Portland homeowners through kitchen remodeling projects since 2008. Our design-build experts have seen firsthand how cabinet choices impact both budgets and outcomes.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about kitchen cabinet pricing in 2025. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have clarity on what drives costs and how to make smart cabinet decisions for your specific budget. We’ll cover:
When trying to estimate the cost of kitchen cabinets, it’s important to recognize that the price tag is influenced by a variety of factors. From the quality of the cabinets to the materials used and customization options, each aspect contributes to the overall cost. Let’s break down the most influential factors to give you a clearer understanding of what you’re investing in.
The quality of your kitchen cabinets is a significant determinant of cost. Generally, cabinets are categorized into three levels: good, better, and best. Many people hear “good, better, best” and automatically think that “good” must mean the lowest quality. This simply isn’t the case – even cabinets we classify in the good category are still very well constructed, durable cabinets. The main difference between the different tiers isn’t so much in quality as it is in customizability. Here are a few things you should know about good-level cabinets:
Good: These are often stock cabinets that are pre-made and come in standard sizes. They are functional but offer limited customization options.
Better: These cabinets offer a balance between cost and customization. You’ll find more variety in terms of finishes, styles, and sizes.
Best: These are high-end cabinets, usually custom-made to fit your specific needs. They offer the most in terms of material quality, durability, and customization options.
Least expensive: A good-level cabinet system for the average small kitchen costs anywhere from $15,000 – $20,000.
Limited size options: In this category, cabinet sizes are sometimes customizable by depth. You’ll have to choose from standard-sized cabinets by width and height. So, if your kitchen requires some custom-built cabinets, you may need to step it up to the “better” tier.
Less attention to “fit and finish”: While the overall quality of construction is excellent in good-level cabinets, they may have some minor variations in finish quality. Face frame joints may show hairline cracks where the seams meet, there might be some slight paint imperfections or a door might be slightly bowed.
Fewer styles and finishes: Most good-level cabinets offer varying door styles and finish colors, but the selections are few. Usually, there are 5-7 door styles, the most common of which are shaker and colonial. There are also about 12 finish options including paints and stains.
When you choose to go with “better” cabinetry, you end up with a stronger balance between cost and customization. You’ll end up paying 20-30% more than the good level, but you’ll also have the opportunity to make your cabinets more your own. A few important qualities of better-level cabinetry include:
Mid-range cost: Though more expensive than good-level, better cabinetry is still more affordable than the best tier. At $20,000 – $30,000 for a full kitchen cabinet system, you’ll want to make sure it fits in your budget.
More size options: With better cabinets, you can also alter the width and the depth. This makes the better-level an ideal option for kitchens that simply need custom-sized cabinets due to their dimensions.
Custom insert options: You’ll also have access to more customization inside your cabinets with better-level options. There are utensil organizing trays, pull-out shelves, and specialized storage options to choose from.
Better fit and finish detail: For all intents and purposes, better-level cabinets should be free of any noticeable flaws. They still won’t be perfect, but manufacturers do pay more attention when it comes to these more expensive cabinet lines. The boxes should be essentially square and the face frames should have no surface flaws.
Wider range of styles and finishes: Better-level cabinets feature up to 30 door styles and over 100 different paint and stain options.
If you’re after top-tier kitchen cabinetry, the “best” category is where you’ll find it. With unparalleled customizability and near-perfect factory finish, these are for people who want a kitchen designed just for them. Once you get into this category, there isn’t much of an upper limit on what your cabinets could cost. Here’s what you need to know about best-level cabinets:
Highest price range: Most cabinets in this category cost between $35,000 and $50,000. That’s 2-3 times the cost of the “good” level. We’ve even seen homeowners spend upwards of $60,000 on cabinets alone.
Total size customizability: One of the greatest advantages of best-level cabinets is that the cabinet maker will make the boxes to any dimension you request. You can ask for any height, width, or depth changes, as well angled cabinets and even radius or cabinetry with curved doors.
Even more, custom inserts: Best-level cabinets offer an even wider array of customizable storage solutions to go into the cabinets. A skilled kitchen designer can help you decide which inserts will best benefit your kitchen experience.
White glove fit and finish: At the price you pay for this level of cabinetry, you can bet the manufacturer is going to give you the full treatment. Best-level cabinets are immaculate in finish quality and detail. If best-level cabinets arrive from the manufacturer less than perfect, you should have no issue getting them replaced.
Extensive style and finish options: Many best-level cabinetmakers offer custom milling for their cabinet doors, so the style options are essentially unlimited. The same goes for paint and stain finishes, which come in an endless variety for best-level cabinets.
The level of customization you want in terms of style, features, and finishes will also affect the cost of your new kitchen cabinets. Customization can range from the type of wood used to the finish and hardware.
Wood Species: Choices like cherry and oak tend to be more affordable, while hickory and maple could drive the cost of your cabinets up 20-25%.
Style & Finish: Cabinet manufacturers generally offer more door styles and finish color options on their higher-end lines. Entry-level cabinets might only have a handful of door styles and 5-10 available paint or stain options On the other hand, premium cabinets are usually fully customizable in terms of style and color.
Hardware & Inserts: While most standard cabinets come with shelves and drawers, these aren’t your only options. Although more expensive, there is a long list of available customized cabinet inserts, such as trash-can inserts, roll-out shelves, and even lifters for heavy kitchen appliances.
The type of material used in the construction of your cabinets can also affect the cost. The most common materials include:
Wood: A popular but expensive choice, wood cabinets offer durability and unparalleled visual style. Wood cabinets can be stained or painted in any color.
Laminate: Also a more budget-friendly material, laminate offers excellent durability and visual appeal. Laminate cabinets feature a styled veneer glued to a wood or MDF core board.
MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): Made from finely ground wood chips pressed into a particle board, MDF is a more affordable option that offers a smooth finish for paint. MDF is only a good option for flat colors as it has no wood grain and therefore should not be stained.
When it comes to the actual costs of new kitchen cabinets, the numbers vary widely depending on the factors discussed above. However, an approximate budget range can at least help you begin budgeting for your new kitchen.
Based on our experience in kitchen remodeling and our connections with locally based cabinet manufacturers, we’ve gathered some data to give you a clearer picture of what you might expect to spend.
When budgeting for new kitchen cabinets, it’s often helpful to consider your space in terms of cost per linear foot of cabinetry. This means that every linear foot of wall space occupied by a cabinet should be factored into the cost. For the ranges presented below, linear footage for upper cabinets and base cabinets are counted separately. An average kitchen in Oregon typically has 40-50 linear feet of cabinetry.
For cabinets that fall under the “good” quality category, you’re looking at stock cabinets with limited customization options. These cabinets are functional and come in standard sizes and colors.
According to information from previous projects our team has completed, the cost per linear foot in this category is about $300.
This means that for a complete kitchen cabinet package, you can expect to spend anywhere between $15,000 to $25,000.
The “better” quality cabinets offer a bit more in terms of customization and variety. These cabinets come in more colors, sizes, and even some minimal customization options. The average cost per linear foot in this category is about $500.
For a full kitchen of “better” cabinets, your budget should be in the range of $30,000 to $50,000.
The “best” quality cabinets are the high-end, custom-made options. These cabinets offer the most in terms of material quality, durability, and customization options. The cost per linear foot in best-level cabinetry can reach up to $1,200.
For a full custom kitchen cabinet package, you can expect to pay between $55,000 to $80,000.
When budgeting for your new kitchen cabinets, there are several strategies you can employ to achieve a beautiful and functional space without breaking the bank. Here are some budget-friendly tips.
One of the most straightforward ways to save money is to stick with standard sizes and colors for your cabinets. Custom sizes and unique colors can significantly increase the cost. Venturing into custom sizes and non-standard colors elevates your cabinet package from entry-level into custom or semi-custom, which can immediately double your cost.
Another strategy is to minimize the number of accessories you add to your cabinets. While drawer pullouts, lazy susans, and spice racks are nice to have, they also add to the overall cost. One of the first go-to strategies when trying to slim down your budget is to forego the more customized accessories for your cabinet inserts.
Working with a professional designer can help you avoid additional hidden costs. A designer can guide you in selecting standard sizes, minimizing accessories, and choosing budget-friendly materials. They can also creatively design a kitchen that adds more storage without necessarily adding more cabinets, thus saving you money.
Finally, it’s important to be mindful of the installation costs. Current cabinet installation labor costs run about $100 per hour. Larger, taller, and heavier cabinets will generally cost more to install. If you’re considering full-height cabinets, understand that they will be more expensive both in terms of the cabinet cost and the installation.
Now that you understand the true cost of kitchen cabinets—from budget-friendly options at $15,000 to luxury custom designs reaching $80,000—you’re better equipped to plan your remodeling budget. Remember that quality level, materials, customization, and size all significantly impact your final price.
For many homeowners, finding the sweet spot between cost and quality is the key to a successful kitchen renovation. Working with experienced designers can help you maximize value while creating a space that perfectly suits your needs and style preferences.
If you’re excited to start designing your dream kitchen, click the button below to schedule a complimentary design consultation with our expert team. We’ll help you navigate the complexities of kitchen remodeling and transform your current space into the kitchen you’ve always wanted.