Cabinet Installation Costs 2025

How Much Does Cabinet Installation Cost in 2025? A Homeowner’s Guide

When you’re planning a kitchen remodel or adding built-ins, one of the big questions is: How much will cabinet installation cost in 2025? It’s one of those line items that can surprise you if you don’t dig into the details. Let’s break it down in a friendly way—what to expect, what influences price, and tips to make your budget stretch farther.

Typical Cost Ranges (2025 Data)

There’s no single “correct” number, because cost depends heavily on your kitchen size, cabinet style, finish, local labor rates, and how much prep work is required. But these ranges give you a reasonable ballpark.

• According to Modernize, kitchen cabinet installation in 2025 (labor + materials) typically falls between $4,000 and $13,000, with a national average around $7,500. Modernize

• HomeGuide reports labor for cabinet installation running from $40 to $80 per hour, or $50 to $300 per linear foot, depending on layout complexity and quality. HomeGuide

• HomeLight notes installed cabinet costs (stock or semi-custom) often range from $100 to $650 per linear foot. HomeLight

• HomeWyse gives a per-cabinet baseline: roughly $257 to $395 per cabinet (for general cabinet installation) in April 2025. Homewyse

• In more custom or luxury jobs, Casta Cabinetry suggests cabinet build + installation can run $500 to $1,200+ per linear foot for top-tier custom designs. Casta Cabinetry

Put simply: for an average mid-sized kitchen (say 20 to 30 linear feet of cabinetry), you might see total installed cost somewhere between $5,000 and $18,000, depending on how “custom” the job is.

What Drives the Cost (What You Should Ask)

To understand your specific quote, these are the key levers that cause big swings in price:

1. Cabinet Type & Quality

   • Stock (off-the-shelf) is cheapest; semi-custom adds features; fully custom is the highest cost. Angi+2Casta Cabinetry+2

   • Materials (solid wood, plywood, MDF, exotic species) can shift costs dramatically.

   • Decorative details, inset doors, custom moldings, built-ins, and specialty storage features (e.g. deep drawers, vertical dividers) push costs up.

2. Finish / Paint / Veneer Work
   A high-end finish, multi-step painting or staining, distressing, or specialty veneers will add labor, materials, and time.

3. Layout & Complexity

   • Number of corners, wall angles, juts or bumps, windows, obstacles (plumbing, gas lines) all add complexity.

   • Tall ceilings, two-story walls, or island work increase extra rigging or scaffolding.

4. Removal / Demolition / Prep Work
   Removing old cabinets, patching walls, relocating plumbing or electrical, reinforcing walls or floor, or leveling floors can add a lot of “hidden” cost.

5. Hardware, Accessories & Interior Fit-Out
   Soft-close hinges, specialty drawer glides, organizers, pull-outs, lazy Susans, inserts, glass doors, lighting—all these are add-ons.

6. Local Labor / Contractor Overhead
   Labor rates vary by region (urban vs rural) and by the skill level or reputation of the installer. Some estimate 30–50% markup from pure materials to installed price. Casta Cabinetry+1

7. Coordination with Other Trades & Timing
   If your cabinet install must wait on plumbing, electrical or drywall, delays can inflate cost. Also, staging, transport, and access logistics matter.

Example Scenarios

Here are a few hypothetical scenarios to help ground expectations:

These align with national data (e.g. from Modernize, HomeLight). HomeLight+3Modernize+3Angi+3

Tips to Control Cost & Get Better Value

• Stick to standard sizes where possible — that avoids custom fabrication cost.

• Limit decorative extras (crown moldings, valances, etc.) or add them selectively.

• Bundle jobs (install multiple cabinets in one run) to reduce mobilization overhead.

• Get detailed, itemized quotes so you can see slab vs installation vs extras.

• Use local cabinet makers / installers to reduce shipping or long-distance labor markups.

• Do preparatory work yourself if feasible — like demoing old cabinets or leveling walls, if you’re comfortable.

• Be realistic about features vs budget — focus your custom dollars on visible or high-use areas; compromise elsewhere.