Why Are Cabinets So Expensive?

If you’ve been looking into getting your kitchen or bathroom remodeled, you’ve likely already looked at installing new cabinets.

Many people are blown away by the price of installing brand new cabinets, so they opt to do nothing and keep the same outdated cabinets.

In this blog post, we’re going to discuss the main reasons that cabinets are so expensive, then we’ll give you a few options to upgrade your cabinets without going through costly replacement.

Materials

Wood is not cheap and its price can fluctuate drastically based on the market supply/demand as well as the type of wood you want.

Oak, pine, maple, cherry & hickory are the most common types of wood used for cabinets. If you’re looking for the cheapest cabinet option, you’ll want to go with pine or plywood. Mahogany is the most expensive option because of its durability and beauty.

Cabinets also need special material designed just for them like hinges, rails, latches & handles. Pop-up latches and soft closing doors are extra features that you’ll want for your cabinets but will cost a little extra.

Installation

According to Homewyse, the average cost to install a cabinet starts at ​​ starts at $207 – $325 per cabinet but can vary depending on the style of cabinet and if they’re custom or not.

Cabinets are also big, which can create a shipping bottleneck. However, since we’re on the topic of installation let’s talk about the forgotten cost of removing cabinets.

You see, removing cabinets is not difficult, however, their size makes disposing of them an extra cost to keep in mind. Depending on the number of cabinets you’re getting rid of, you may need to rent a dumpster, which can cost around $350-$500 for the day. You can also load them in the back of a truck and take them to the dump yourself, but you’ll still be paying for the dump fees.

Manufacturing/Shipping

Like we eluded to, shipping cabinets can be a delicate process, especially if they’re premade. Along the lines of manufacturing, having custom cabinetry made will cost you extra. If you want the cheapest option, go for frameless pre-fabbed cabinets commonly found at Home Depot and Lowes.

Closing Thoughts

If you’ve decided that the cost to install new cabinets doesn’t fit your budget, we recommend you opt to repaint your cabinets in a new modern color. Let’s face it, if it’s anything you don’t like about your cabinets, it’s probably just the way they look rather than the functionality.