How long does kitchen cabinet installation take?

Cabinet installation itself typically takes 1–3 days for a standard kitchen once all cabinets are on-site. The longer lead time is in ordering: stock cabinets can be picked up immediately, semi-custom takes 2–6 weeks, and custom cabinets require 6–16 weeks. Plan your kitchen renovation timeline around the cabinet lead time, as countertop templates can only be done after cabinets are fully installed.

Kitchen Cabinet Cost Guide 2026: Stock, Semi-Custom & Custom Prices

Q: How much do kitchen cabinets cost?

Kitchen cabinet costs depend heavily on type: stock/RTA cabinets cost $60–$200 per linear foot installed; semi-custom run $150–$650/lf; fully custom cabinets start at $500/lf and can exceed $1,200/lf. For a typical 10×10 kitchen (roughly 20 linear feet of cabinetry), expect $1,200–$4,000 for stock, $3,000–$13,000 for semi-custom, and $10,000–$24,000+ for custom.

Q: What is the difference between stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets?

Stock cabinets come in fixed sizes (typically 3-inch width increments) and are available off the shelf at big-box stores. Semi-custom cabinets are ordered from a manufacturer with more size and finish options — lead time 2–6 weeks. Custom cabinets are built to the exact dimensions of your kitchen by a local cabinet maker — full flexibility, 6–16 week lead time, highest cost.

Q: Is it worth paying for semi-custom over stock cabinets?

For most mid-range renovations, yes. Semi-custom cabinets offer significantly better construction (typically plywood boxes vs. particleboard in budget stock), soft-close hinges and drawer slides as standard, and a much wider range of door styles and finishes. The jump in price from stock to semi-custom is roughly $2,000–$5,000 for a typical kitchen — and the result looks and functions noticeably better.

Q: Can I save money by installing cabinets myself?

Technically yes — cabinet installation labor typically costs $50–$120 per linear foot, so a 20-LF kitchen means $1,000–$2,400 in potential savings. However, cabinet installation requires precision leveling, cutting around corners and appliances, and mounting into studs. Mistakes are expensive to fix. IKEA SEKTION cabinets are specifically designed for DIY installation and have a large online support community. For semi-custom or custom cabinets, professional installation is strongly recommended.

Q: What is cabinet refacing and when does it make sense?

Cabinet refacing replaces the door fronts, drawer fronts, and applies new veneer to the cabinet boxes, while keeping the existing box structure in place. Cost: $4,000–$10,000 for a typical kitchen versus $10,000–$25,000 for full replacement. Refacing makes sense when your cabinet boxes are structurally sound (no water damage, no warping) and the layout works for you. It will not fix an inefficient layout or fix damaged boxes.

Cabinets consume 30–40% of a kitchen renovation budget — more than any other single category. This guide breaks down exactly what each tier costs, what you're actually paying for, and how to make the choice that fits your budget and timeline.

2026 Cabinet Cost Overview

Stock / RTA

$60–$200/lf

Installed. Off-the-shelf, fixed sizes. Big-box stores and online retailers.

Semi-Custom

$150–$650/lf

Installed. More sizes and finishes. 2–6 week lead time. Most popular tier.

Custom

$500–$1,200+/lf

Installed. Built to exact dimensions. 6–16 week lead time.

Prices include labor. National averages; regional multipliers apply (California +30–55%, Southeast −10–15%).

Full price breakdown by cabinet type

The table below shows typical installed costs for a standard 10×10 kitchen (the industry benchmark, with 20 linear feet of upper and lower cabinets). Prices include cabinets, hardware, and professional installation but not countertops.

Cabinet Type	Per Linear Foot	10×10 Kitchen (20 lf)	Lead Time
RTA (Ready-to-Assemble)	$60–$150/lf	$1,200–$3,000	In stock
Stock (installed)	$80–$200/lf	$1,600–$4,000	In stock / 1–2 days
Semi-custom (entry)	$150–$300/lf	$3,000–$6,000	2–4 weeks
Semi-custom (mid)	$300–$450/lf	$6,000–$9,000	3–6 weeks
Semi-custom (premium)	$450–$650/lf	$9,000–$13,000	4–8 weeks
Custom (local maker)	$500–$800/lf	$10,000–$16,000	6–12 weeks
Custom (luxury)	$800–$1,200+/lf	$16,000–$24,000+	10–16 weeks

What you actually get for each dollar

The price difference between cabinet tiers is not just aesthetics — it reflects genuine differences in material quality, joinery, and hardware that affect daily usability and longevity.

Stock & RTA — where corners are cut

Box construction is typically particleboard or MDF (moisture-sensitive and heavier than plywood). Drawer slides are often epoxy-coated steel with no soft-close. Hinges are basic — they work, but won't feel premium after five years. Sizes come in 3-inch increments, so fillers are needed to close gaps. IKEA SEKTION (a popular RTA option) is an exception — SEKTION uses steel frames and is notably more durable than typical particleboard RTA.

Semi-Custom — the sweet spot for most renovations

Plywood box construction (stronger, lighter, moisture-resistant vs. particleboard). Soft-close hinges and full-extension drawer slides as standard at mid-tier and above. Hundreds of door styles, dozens of finish colors. Interior options include pull-out shelves, lazy Susans, spice drawers, and drawer organizers. Sized in 1.5-inch increments, dramatically reducing filler gaps. Brands like KraftMaid, Merillat, Aristokraft, and Fabuwood dominate this space.

Custom — when nothing else fits

Built to the millimeter for awkward spaces — sloped ceilings, odd angles, shallow alcoves. Every interior detail is specified: drawer depths, pull-out heights, inset vs. overlay door styles. Dovetail drawer joints as standard. The best custom shops use European hardware (Blum, Hettich) and thick solid-wood doors. The ROI over semi-custom is debatable for standard kitchens — the real value is in solving genuinely difficult spaces.

Popular cabinet brands by tier

Tier	Brands	Box material	Where sold
RTA / Budget	IKEA SEKTION, Lily Ann, Forevermark	Steel / particleboard / plywood	Online, IKEA stores
Stock	Hampton Bay, Thomasville (HD), Diamond, Schuler	Particleboard / MDF	Home Depot, Lowes
Semi-custom entry	Aristokraft, Fabuwood, Kraftmaid Vantage	Plywood	Kitchen dealers, HD
Semi-custom mid	KraftMaid, Merillat, Medallion, Waypoint	Plywood	Kitchen dealers
Semi-custom premium	Plain & Fancy, Dura Supreme, Omega	Plywood	Designer showrooms
Custom	Local cabinetmakers, Christopher Peters, Henrybuilt	Solid wood / plywood	Direct from maker

Cabinet refacing: a budget-friendly alternative

If your cabinet boxes are structurally sound but the style is dated, refacing is worth considering. A professional refacing job replaces the door and drawer fronts, applies new wood veneer or RTF (rigid thermofoil) to the box faces, and installs new hinges and hardware.

Option	Typical cost (10×10 kitchen)	Time	Best for
Cabinet painting	$1,000–$3,500	2–4 days	Changing color only; boxes must be clean
RTF/vinyl refacing	$3,500–$7,000	3–5 days	Budget refresh; limited door styles
Wood veneer refacing	$6,000–$10,000	4–7 days	More premium look; closer to new cabinets
Cabinet replacement (stock)	$1,600–$4,000	1–2 weeks	Layout change needed or boxes damaged
Cabinet replacement (semi-custom)	$6,000–$13,000	3–8 weeks	Best long-term investment for most renovations

What drives cabinet costs up

Door style

Shaker doors (a simple recessed-panel frame) are the most affordable in any tier. Inset doors — where the door sits flush inside the frame rather than overlaying it — add 15–25% to cabinet cost and require more precise installation. Raised-panel and beaded-inset styles sit in between.

Finish type

Paint finishes cost more than stained finishes because they require more preparation. Glazed or distressed finishes add another 10–20%. Two-tone kitchens (island in a different color from perimeter) add roughly $800–$2,500 for the additional finish color setup.

Interior accessories

Pull-out shelves ($150–$300 each), lazy Susans ($200–$500), deep drawer inserts ($100–$250), magic corner units ($400–$900), pull-out spice racks ($150–$350). A fully accessorized kitchen can add $3,000–$8,000 to the cabinet budget — but these features dramatically improve daily usability.

Tall cabinets & pantries

Tall pantry cabinets (84"–96") cost 2–3× a standard base cabinet per unit. A kitchen with a full-height pantry wall adds $2,000–$6,000 over a standard upper/lower layout. Tall cabinets also require more structural backing during installation.

Frequently asked questions

How much do kitchen cabinets cost?↓

Stock and RTA cabinets run $60–$200 per linear foot installed for a typical kitchen. Semi-custom is $150–$650/lf. Custom starts at $500/lf. For a standard 10×10 kitchen: stock $1,600–$4,000, semi-custom $3,000–$13,000, custom $10,000–$24,000+.

What is the difference between stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets?↓

Stock cabinets come in fixed sizes off the shelf. Semi-custom are ordered with more options (sizes, finishes, interior accessories) and a 2–6 week lead time. Custom are built to your exact dimensions by a local cabinetmaker with a 6–16 week lead time.

Is it worth paying for semi-custom over stock cabinets?↓

For most mid-range renovations, yes. Semi-custom offers plywood box construction, soft-close hardware, more size flexibility (reducing unsightly fillers), and far more design options. The premium over stock is typically $2,000–$5,000 for a standard kitchen — usually worth it for a room you use daily.

How long does cabinet installation take?↓

Installation itself takes 1–3 days for a standard kitchen. The critical path is lead time: stock cabinets are immediate, semi-custom takes 2–6 weeks, and custom 6–16 weeks. Countertops cannot be templated until cabinets are installed, so this timeline determines the overall kitchen renovation schedule.

Can I save money by installing cabinets myself?↓

You can save $1,000–$2,400 in labor for a typical kitchen, but precision matters enormously. IKEA SEKTION is designed for DIY and has good support resources. For semi-custom and custom cabinets, professional installation is strongly recommended — mistakes are expensive to fix and can void warranties.

What is cabinet refacing and when does it make sense?↓

Refacing replaces door fronts and applies new veneer to the existing box structure. Cost: $3,500–$10,000 vs. $6,000–$25,000 for replacement. It makes sense when boxes are structurally solid and you are happy with the layout. It will not fix a bad layout or damaged boxes.

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