Cabinetry Costs: What You Really Pay for Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets

When you think about cabinetry costs, the total price of custom or stock cabinets for kitchens and bathrooms, including materials, hardware, and installation. Also known as kitchen cabinet pricing, it’s one of the biggest budget items in any home upgrade—not because it’s flashy, but because it’s everywhere. You’re not just paying for wood or laminate. You’re paying for precision, durability, and the labor that turns raw materials into something that lasts decades.

Kitchen cabinets, the storage units installed along walls and around appliances in a kitchen, often custom-built to fit exact dimensions make up the bulk of cabinetry spending. Solid wood doors, soft-close hinges, and full-extension drawers add up fast. A basic set of stock cabinets might start around $3,000, but if you want framed, plywood boxes with dovetail joints and premium finishes? That jumps to $10,000–$20,000. Bathroom cabinets, smaller storage units designed for moisture resistance and compact spaces cost less overall, but the per-square-foot price is often higher because of specialized finishes and waterproofing. A single vanity with a solid surface top can run $1,500–$5,000 depending on materials.

What really drives the cost? It’s not the cabinets alone. Cabinet installation, the process of mounting, leveling, and securing cabinets to walls and floors, often done by licensed carpenters can add 30–50% to the total. DIY might save money, but if your cabinets aren’t level or the wall studs aren’t properly located, you’re risking warping, misaligned doors, or even structural damage. And don’t forget hardware—pulls, knobs, and hinges aren’t optional extras. A set of brass pulls can cost $500 more than basic chrome, and soft-close mechanisms aren’t cheap either.

Material choice makes a huge difference. Particleboard is the cheapest, but it swells if it gets wet. Plywood is stronger and holds screws better. Solid wood lasts the longest but costs the most. Thermofoil and laminate offer good looks at lower prices, but they can peel over time if poorly applied. And then there’s the hidden cost: removal of old cabinets, disposal fees, and any electrical or plumbing changes needed to fit new ones.

If you’re planning a remodel, you’ll find posts here that break down real prices from 2025—what Wren cabinets cost versus IKEA, why custom cabinetry isn’t always worth it, and how to spot a contractor who’s overcharging. You’ll see what’s actually included in a quote, how to avoid common mistakes, and which upgrades give you real value. This isn’t about guessing. It’s about knowing exactly what you’re paying for—and why.