How to Compare Kitchen Cabinet Prices

Co-authored by Eric Shipe

Last Updated: July 5, 2021

If you're looking for an exciting way to renovate your kitchen, new cabinets can spruce things up. All the options on the market can be overwhelming. To find the best price, identify your needs in terms of a kitchen cabinet. Shop at various locations and compare prices from one place to the next. With a little diligence, you can find the perfect cabinets for your needs.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:
Assessing Your Basic Needs

1
Look at budget cabinets if you're open to many styles. If you're on a tight budget, the cheapest type of cabinet is known as a budget cabinet. Budget cabinets are usually off-the-shelf cabinets you stack in your kitchen. While they're often made with materials like particle board over wood, some budget cabinets hold up over time. Prices tend to be around $70 per foot.^{[1]
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- Read reviews when purchasing budget cabinets. Some brands actually hold up very well for the price, so you can save money on a budget cabinet with great reviews.
- The major downside to budget cabinets is that they don't have a lot of variation in terms of style and design. If you're looking for a very specific look for your kitchen, budget cabinets are probably not for you.^{[2]
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  Eric Shipe
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  Expert Interview. 11 June 2021.}
2
Evaluate mid-level cabinets if you want a specific look. Mid-level cabinets are more customizable than budget cabinets and generally come in different colors and sizes. You can also find decorative finishes or handles on mid-level cabinets. They can be a good in-between if you want something nicer than budget cabinets, but don't want to break your budget on premium options.^{[3]
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Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Expert Interview. 11 June 2021.} They generally start at $170 per foot.^{[4]
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- Mid-level cabinets are sometimes made from very cheap materials, however. Look for cabinets made from plywood over particle board.
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3
Look into premium cabinets if you want custom designs. Premium cabinets are generally made to order, so you can specify the type of material you want.^{[5]
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Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Expert Interview. 11 June 2021.} You can also choose things like special features, colors, and designs. They start at around $500 per foot.^{[6]
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- If you're looking for the best price possible, you can get most of you what you need with a mid-level cabinet. Premium cabinets are usually only necessary if you have a very specific design in mind.
4
Make a ranked list of special features. When shopping around, you need to identify your basic needs and decide where you are and are not willing to compromise. Have a list of special features you would prefer in a cabinet. Rank the list in terms of importance.^{[7]
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- Special features may cost extra money, so look up general price ranges when looking at special features as well. For example, wood cabinets are generally going to cost more than cabinets made from particle board.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:
Shopping Around

1
Start your search at least a month in advance. The more time you have to shop around, the better. If you start your search right before you need to renovate, you're more likely to pay a higher price. Aim to start shopping around for cabinets a month or two before you need to have them installed.^{[8]
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2
Do as much online shopping as possible. Ideally, you want to minimize the amount of traveling you need to do while shopping around. You don't want to end up wasting your cabinet budget on things like gas and public transportation. See what local stores have prices listed online. Also, check to see if you can buy the cabinets themselves online.^{[9]
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3
Download price comparison tools on your phone. Price comparison apps can be an extremely handy tool to quickly compare prices. If you're able to look for cheaper alternatives on your phone, you won't need to go to different stores comparing prices. This saves on cost of transportation, in addition to the cabinets themselves.^{[10]
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- BuyVia and ScanLife are apps that let you scan barcodes to search for cheaper prices. They include both local options and national outlets and are easy to use in the store.
- Purchx works similar to BuyVia, but includes reviews. This can be great for choosing cabinets, especially budget varieties, as quality reviews are important.
4
Make a list of different prices. You can make a list on your computer or on a piece of scrap paper. List the various types and brands of cabinets and the prices they go for. This can help you get a general price range. In addition to noting cost, add any extra information you will need to know. For example, maybe one cabinet is a little more expensive, but had significantly better reviews than another brand.
5
Calculate any extra costs. When purchasing a cabinet, think about more than just the cost of the product itself. If you're ordering online, compare shipping costs. Keep the cost of installation in mind if you don't plan on installing the cabinets yourself. Some companies may offer cheaper deals on installation than others.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Expert Interview. 11 June 2021.}
6
Negotiate prices. If you're buying from a local supplier, you can always try to negotiate. See if you qualify for any discount, such as a military or student discount, and see if you can negotiate on things like shipping or installation costs. While big chains are usually unlikely to negotiate, local suppliers may be willing to strike deals with customers to make a sale.^{[12]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:
Making a Final Decision

1
Be willing to substitute non-essential features to save money. Remember the list you made earlier of features you are and are not willing to compromise on? When making your final decision, you may have to go without a non-essential feature to get the absolute best price. Be on the lookout for potential substitutions while making your final decision.^{[13]
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- For example, if a budget cabinet is made of particle board, and you wanted plywood, look at reviews. A cheaper cabinet with quality reviews may hold up well over time, even if it's made from lesser quality materials.
2
Do not compromise on quality. While you can compromise on special features, make sure the product you select is high quality. If you have to replace or repair a cabinet frequently, cost of repairs can add up fast. Do not purchase a cabinet with extremely poor reviews, even if it's very cheap.^{[14]
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Go to source}
3
Select the best price. After weighing in the final factors, look for the product with the best price. Choose a cabinet on the lower end of your list in terms of costs, but one that still meets your basic needs. Remember to account for any extra costs, like shipping and installation, when making your final purchase.^{[15]
X
Expert Source

Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Expert Interview. 11 June 2021.}

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Community Q&A

Question

What is the average price for cabinets?

Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Eric Shipe is a Kitchen and Bath Designer and the Owner of Bath + Kitchen based in Washington DC. Eric and his team specialize in cabinetry, design, and remodels. They serve homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors with a refined process, creative ideas, 4K photo-realistic renderings, and 360 Panoramic views. Bath + Kitchen was featured in Best of Houzz 2017-2020. Eric holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.

Eric Shipe

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

You can expect to pay between $65,000 and $90,000 if you're replacing all materials in a 200 sq ft (18.5 sq m), L-shaped kitchen with an island. A luxury kitchen will range from $110,000 to $150,000 or even higher.
Question

What options do I have for kitchen cabinets?

Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Eric Shipe is a Kitchen and Bath Designer and the Owner of Bath + Kitchen based in Washington DC. Eric and his team specialize in cabinetry, design, and remodels. They serve homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors with a refined process, creative ideas, 4K photo-realistic renderings, and 360 Panoramic views. Bath + Kitchen was featured in Best of Houzz 2017-2020. Eric holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.

Eric Shipe

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

Decide if you are in the "good," "better," or "best category. If your budget is tight, "good" options might include DIY or stock cabinetry from companies like Ikea. In the "better," category, you'll need to budget for a kitchen designer and general contractor, with cabinets in the semi-custom to custom range. In the "best" category, you'll be budgeting for features like Grade A lumber, walnut drawer boxes, and extra accessories.
Question

Are custom cabinets worth it?

Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Eric Shipe is a Kitchen and Bath Designer and the Owner of Bath + Kitchen based in Washington DC. Eric and his team specialize in cabinetry, design, and remodels. They serve homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors with a refined process, creative ideas, 4K photo-realistic renderings, and 360 Panoramic views. Bath + Kitchen was featured in Best of Houzz 2017-2020. Eric holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.

Eric Shipe

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

They can be if you'd like a bit more flexibility. Generally speaking, cabinetry can be stock, semi-custom, or custom. Stock is the cheapest option, but you'll need to compromise on design and quality in the process. Semi-custom and custom cabinetry will offer you a vast range of choices to help get you exactly what you need.
Question

Is it worth it to replace kitchen cabinets?

Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Eric Shipe is a Kitchen and Bath Designer and the Owner of Bath + Kitchen based in Washington DC. Eric and his team specialize in cabinetry, design, and remodels. They serve homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors with a refined process, creative ideas, 4K photo-realistic renderings, and 360 Panoramic views. Bath + Kitchen was featured in Best of Houzz 2017-2020. Eric holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.

Eric Shipe

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes, it can be. New cabinetry can be an investment; if you want to sell your home at some point, it can attract the right buyer while also boosting resale value.