Most cabinet pricing is quoted per linear foot — one foot of cabinetry measured along the wall, counting both upper and lower boxes. A typical kitchen has 25 to 30 linear feet. Knowing your linear footage and your tier is the fastest way to ballpark the cabinet portion of your budget. As always, get three written bids before you commit.
The three cabinet tiers
- Stock ($100–$300 per linear foot): Pre-built in fixed sizes and a limited set of finishes. Available fast, often off the shelf. Best for budget remodels and rentals, or any kitchen where the layout fits standard widths.
- Semi-custom ($150–$650 per linear foot): Built from standard boxes but with flexibility on sizes, door styles, finishes and accessories. This is the sweet spot for most Washington homeowners — real customization without a fully custom price.
- Custom ($500–$1,200+ per linear foot): Built to your exact dimensions, wood species and details by a cabinetmaker. The most design freedom, the best fit for odd layouts, and the longest lead times.
What that means for a whole kitchen
Multiply by your linear footage. For a 28-foot kitchen:
- Stock: roughly $2,800–$8,400
- Semi-custom: roughly $4,200–$18,000
- Custom: roughly $14,000–$34,000+
What drives cabinet cost up
- Material and box construction. Plywood boxes and solid-wood doors cost more than particleboard and thermofoil, and last longer.
- Door style and finish. Painted finishes cost more than stained; specialty colors and glazes add more still.
- Hardware and inserts. Soft-close hinges, pull-out drawers, lazy Susans and trash pull-outs add up across a kitchen.
- Specialty sizes. Tall pantries, oversized islands and custom heights push you toward semi-custom or custom.
A money-saving alternative: refacing
If your existing cabinet boxes are structurally sound, refacing — new doors, drawer fronts and veneer over the existing frames — can cut the cost dramatically versus full replacement while still transforming the look. It only makes sense when the boxes are in good shape and the layout works.
How cabinets fit the bigger budget
Because cabinets are the largest single cost, the tier you choose sets the tone for the whole project. See our full kitchen remodel cost guide for how cabinets stack against counters, labor and appliances, and our kitchen cabinets guide for choosing styles and finishes. Pairing cabinets with the right counter matters too — compare quartz vs granite.
Cabinet pricing varies a lot between suppliers and installers, so the best way to find your real number is to compare bids. Get free quotes from vetted Washington kitchen pros near you.