New Kitchen Cabinets Cost: Budget by Size and Style

How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in an average-sized kitchen?

Replacing cabinets in an average kitchen costs $2,500–$36,000 for the cabinets and installation, with the range driven mainly by cabinet type and kitchen size. Fixr estimates an average kitchen at 150–250 square feet, with 25–30 linear feet of cabinetry, and reports a national installation average of $7,000; most projects fall between $4,000 and $14,000.

Those figures are useful benchmarks, not a complete promise of an all-in renovation price. HomeAdvisor reports an average project cost of $6,191, with a stated range of $1,935–$10,769. Its figures and Fixr’s differ, so treat an online average as a starting point and use the written scope of your own estimate to make the comparison.

For a direct replacement—same layout and appliances—the useful move is to separate the cabinet-and-installation figure from work around it. Fixr estimates old-cabinet removal and haul-away at $350–$1,000. Hardware, trim, countertops, backsplash, and possible utility relocation should also be clarified separately rather than assumed to be included.

A small-kitchen all-in total cannot be calculated reliably from the supplied sources because they do not publish a complete small-kitchen cabinet, installation, and add-on package. For a larger kitchen, HomeAdvisor says high-end custom projects may reach $30,000 or more. Get a size-specific quote and list each included task before treating either figure as your budget.

What is the new kitchen cabinets cost per linear foot, including installation?

Installed new kitchen cabinets cost $100–$1,200 per linear foot, depending on construction: stock is $100–$300, semi-custom is $150–$650, and custom is $500–$1,200, according to Fixr. The per-foot figure gives you a quick way to compare cabinet types, but it does not guarantee that removal, disposal, countertop work, or every finish detail is included.

For scale, Fixr models a 12-by-12 kitchen with 25 linear feet of cabinets at $3,750–$16,250. It estimates labor at 30%–50% of the total project cost; installers may instead quote $50–$200 per linear foot or $40–$100 per hour. HomeAdvisor lists installation labor at $50–$450 per linear foot, a wider range that reinforces why a quote should state both the work and the charging basis.

Use linear-foot pricing as a screening tool, then ask for a fixed scope: cabinet count or measured run, cabinet type, installation labor, and finish pieces. If two estimates use different measurements or one folds labor into the cabinet rate while another lists it separately, their headline totals are not directly comparable.

How much do stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets cost for the same kitchen?

For the same average kitchen, Fixr’s installed price ranges are $2,500–$9,000 for stock, $3,750–$19,500 for semi-custom, and $12,500–$36,000 for custom cabinets. The biggest budget shift is the cabinet category; the source ranges overlap at their edges, so ask what each contractor means by the category and which installation tasks the total includes.

The table uses Fixr’s average-kitchen ranges, not a separate cabinet-only purchase price. The supplied sources do not provide comparable purchase-only totals or explain which households each construction type suits, so those details should come from the actual product specification and quote—not assumptions based on the label.

When the layout stays put, compare the three options against the same measured kitchen and the same list of included work. To keep renovation spending organized, review countertop scope alongside the cabinet estimate; this guide to new kitchen worktops, materials, and fitting costs can help frame that separate part of the project.

Does a cabinet quote include removing and disposing of the old cabinets?

A cabinet quote may exclude removal and disposal, so confirm both explicitly before accepting it. Fixr estimates removal and haul-away at $350–$1,000, while HomeAdvisor puts removal at $350–$800, potentially reaching $1,000 for a large kitchen; Angi estimates about $500 on average.

These estimates are not identical, but they point to a meaningful separate line item. Angi’s removal ranges are $180–$400 for a small kitchen, $400–$600 for a 20–30-linear-foot kitchen, and $600–$1,000 for a larger kitchen. It lists $15–$20 per linear foot, while some contractors charge around $50–$100 per hour.

Removal is not always the whole demolition scope. Angi advises budgeting separately for debris removal and plumber or electrician disconnection when cabinets contain built-in appliances or utilities. It lists plumber rates of $45–$200 per hour and electrician rates of $50–$200 per hour; HomeAdvisor gives $45–$200 per hour for plumbing and $50–$100 per hour for electrical work.

Use a direct question when you request a revision: “Please show cabinet removal, haul-away, cleanup, and any utility disconnection as separate line items. Which of those are included in this total?” If the layout changes, also ask about possible plumbing, electrical, and drywall work; HomeAdvisor lists drywall patching at $300–$900. Keeping the layout and appliances in place avoids treating those changes as automatic, but the quote should still state its assumptions.