Your cabinet brand is very important because cabinets are the kitchen’s defining feature. Cabinet brands run the spectrum from economy to high end, and here we will break down what you can expect to get for your budget. Each supplier is also typically defined by a certain style.

Kitchen cabinets take up almost 30% of the average renovation budget - likely your biggest investment. Use this as a general rule of thumb to figure out your cabinet budget. If you want a more specific number, you can do a linear footage calculation to come up with a range. Price estimates are usually measured in linear feet. Please view our linear footage calculation video to learn more about this.

Decide on your preferred style by looking through kitchen photos for inspiration. You can search online for pictures which you find are appealing to your taste. You can then delve deeper into the brands you like to narrow your choices down.

Cabinet Price Groups

Cabinet brands can be sorted into categories based on a general budget guideline. The following can help you determine which type of cabinet supplier you should be looking for. Remember these measurements refer to upper and lower cabinets separately.

Under $250 per linear foot

Cabinets that cost less than $250 per linear foot are the most inexpensive brands. They are usually made in China. In order to maintain such affordable pricing, the cabinet materials are cheaper, so you may find the panels and drawer glides are of low quality. There are also very limited, if any customization features. If you go with this option, do your research to determine the brand is safe by American standards. Low cost imported cabinets sometimes contain chemicals like formaldehyde in higher levels than what is considered safe.

$250-$500 per linear foot

This price range encompasses stock cabinets and Ikea. You may find these value priced stock cabinets at furniture stores and some home improvement warehouses. Often you may take home these cabinets the same day or within a few days, making this a quick solution. With stock cabinets, keep in mind you won’t have much flexibility to choose dimensions, cabinet material, colors, or storage hardware. Think of it as a “one size fits all” solution.

You can also begin exploring semi-custom cabinets at this range, such as Ikea. With this option, expect limited design assistance and customer support and you will likely need to assemble cabinets yourself.

$500-$800 per linear foot

This range covers high quality semi-stock cabinetry available in furniture warehouse stores and some smaller kitchen showrooms. Expect to find mostly American cabinet brands. You will likely need the help of a design professional for this option. Semi-custom cabinets require an understanding of the manufacturing parameters like the cabinet dimensions and extra detailing options available to you.

The depth of cabinets can be adjusted to some degree according to your kitchen space, and often a number of drawer configurations are available to you. You will also have a larger choice of door style and finish options, giving you greater input as the designer. The price increase results from this extra custom work.

Installation of semi-stock cabinets also costs more than stock cabinets. Essentially the more customized your cabinets are, the more work goes into measuring and assembly tailored to your kitchen.

$800-$1200 per linear foot

In this price bracket you can find high end custom cabinetry shown in larger kitchen showrooms, including some European brands. This budget allows for fully custom cabinetry, which opens up a new realm of design possibilities. You will have a great degree of control with the cabinet height, width and depth. More finish options are available too - your kitchen can have a number of diverse looks with wood veneers, matte and high gloss lacquers in many colors.

Whereas stock cabinets tend to follow more traditional design patterns, custom cabinets allow for some extra creative shapes arrangements. Anything from wall to wall pantries to an L-shaped kitchen island with storage shelving is possible here. The kitchen design can also incorporate open and closed cabinets together which lets you incorporate shelving within your cabinets. You will likely need lots of input from a design professional, so look for a company that offers this service.

Another luxury afforded at this price point is the ability to tailor your cabinets to fit your appliances. The refrigerator, oven and other appliances can be fully integrated and become part of your cabinets with the help of expert measurements. This makes for a really coherent system where everything works together in the kitchen.

Custom cabinets are either assembled off-site or upon arrival. The amount of labor in terms of design work and assembly is reflected in the price - these aren’t just products sold off the shelf, but a custom installation unique to every kitchen.

$1200 + per linear foot

Cabinetry priced at over $1200 per linear foot is reserved for premium brands found at high end kitchen showrooms. Luxury European brands are available in this niche, largely from Germany and Italy. This cabinetry may be highly customized specially for the consumer’s taste and kitchen layout. High end cabinet finishes are also available at this price point, such as exotic wood, back lacquered glass, and textured concrete.

Within this budget you can also purchase many custom storage enhancements. For super convenient pantry access for example, pullout pantries let you actually slide out the pantry shelves so that you can reach the back, engineered to move seamlessly even under heavy weight. Some other options include pull down cabinet racks for hard to reach areas, electric cabinet doors, and inner cabinet lighting - sometimes remote controlled.

Finally, you can expect the highest quality construction at this price point. Cabinetry at this level is likely produced in a fully staffed factory with stringent standards. These brands are likely long established and widely respected leaders in their field, using advanced engineering when it comes to the craftsmanship of their kitchens. Cabinets at this level not only look and feel more upscale, they tend to last much longer under routine kitchen use than their inexpensive counterparts.

Final Selection Factors

Your Design: Once you have narrowed down the kitchen styles you like, it’s time to make a plan. Envision the way you want your new kitchen to look and create a sketch. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just a basic idea you can show to designers to get the ball rolling. Next, take some photos of your kitchen and make sure to get all angles.

Compare Estimates: Now start contacting some cabinet suppliers in your niche based on the research you have done. Most kitchen suppliers will provide a proposed design and price, so look at it like an estimate on home repair work. Compare several estimates and settle on the one which is most attractive for your needs.

Customer Support: While price is certainly a main factor, pay attention their customer service approach as well. You need to find a designer you can build a relationship with. This person will be guiding you through all the challenges throughout the process. Make sure you understand what’s involved in the renovation and how much support you will be getting - your supplier should be transparent about that.

Warranty: Remember to ask about followup service, especially the warranty. If anything breaks or needs adjustment, such as a drawer glide, will you be covered? Many companies will perform service tune-ups and repairs as part of the renovation, at no additional cost to you.

Bottom Line

If you feel that your supplier will provide good quality, nice design, a good price, reliable service, and a designer who you can work with, you should purchase the cabinets from this supplier. If you are not sure about one or more of the above, then you should get proposals from other suppliers.