How much does cabinet making & installation cost in United States?
Free, no obligation. Sign in with Google to send your request.
Key takeaways
- Most cabinet making & installation jobs in United States land between $1,500–$70,000 — known locally as cabinet maker / installer.
- Cabinet making and installation are unlicensed in most US states, though contractor licensing may apply to larger renovation work. Quality is governed by materials and hardware, not regulation; verify carcass material and hinge brand to compare quotes fairly.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Cabinet Making & Installation prices by job size in United States
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in wardrobe / single unit One fitted unit built and installed | $1,500 | $3,500 | $7,000 |
| Fitted kitchen cabinetry (small–mid) Semi-custom or custom kitchen cabinets, supplied and fitted | $6,000 | $14,000 | $28,000 |
| Full custom joinery (large kitchen + built-ins) Bespoke cabinetry across kitchen and living spaces | $18,000 | $35,000 | $70,000 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per linear foot installed | $300 | $600 | $1,200 |
| per hour (cabinetmaker/fitter) | $50 | $85 | $150 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in United States typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a cabinet making & installation pro in United States
- Decide stock vs semi-custom vs custom and get each quoted per linear foot
- Confirm carcass material (plywood vs particleboard) and door construction
- Check hardware brand (soft-close hinges, runners)
- Confirm templating, delivery and installation are included
- Ask about lead time for custom work
- Get a workmanship warranty in writing
Red flags
- Cheap particleboard boxes sold as premium
- Vague on hardware brand/quality
- No lead-time commitment for custom
- Fitting not included in the quote
- No workmanship warranty
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to USD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: US cabinetry cost guides 2025 (per linear foot); custom cabinet maker rates.
Frequently asked questions
How long does custom cabinetry take?
Bespoke joinery is made to order, so allow several weeks lead time before fitting even begins; a single built-in might be a day or two to install, a full kitchen a week. The making, not the fitting, is where the timeline sits — confirm lead times up front.
What should a cabinetry quote include?
Carcass material and thickness, door/front material and finish, hardware (hinges, runners, handles) and their brand, worktop if included, delivery, installation, and any templating or making-good. Vague per-unit prices hide big quality differences in materials and hinges.
Should I hire a cabinet maker or a kitchen company?
A cabinet maker/joiner builds to order and suits unusual spaces, one-off pieces and custom finishes. A kitchen company offers a designed package, showroom samples and project management. For a straightforward kitchen the company route is smoother; for character properties a joiner often wins.
What's the difference between flat-pack, semi-custom and bespoke cabinets?
Flat-pack (IKEA-style) is cheapest and modular; semi-custom uses standard carcasses with a wider choice of doors and sizes; bespoke is built to your exact space and spec. Bespoke costs the most but handles odd dimensions and features a modular range can't.
How much does custom cabinetry cost?
A single built-in unit like a wardrobe is the entry point; fitted kitchen cabinetry is a mid-range project; full bespoke joinery across a home is the big job. Cost is driven by linear metres/feet of run, the material and finish, and whether it's flat-pack, semi-custom or truly bespoke.
What materials are cabinets made from?
Carcasses are usually MDF, plywood or melamine-faced chipboard; fronts range from laminate and vinyl-wrapped MDF to solid timber and painted MDF. Plywood carcasses and solid or painted-MDF doors last longest; the cheapest chipboard swells if it gets wet.
What do custom kitchen cabinets cost in the US?
Custom cabinetry commonly runs $300-1,200 per linear foot supplied and installed, with semi-custom cheaper and stock/flat-pack cheapest. A full custom kitchen plus built-ins can reach $15,000-60,000 depending on size and finish.
Free, no obligation. Sign in with Google to send your request.