Quick Answer
Start with installed linear footage, then add construction and accessory modifiers. Stock/RTA can screen around $120–$300 per linear foot installed, semi-custom around $350–$750, and fully custom around $800–$1,800+ before unusual finishes, specialty interiors and elaborate trim.
1. Compare Cabinet Tiers on the Same Installed Basis
| Cabinet Tier | Broad Installed Range / Linear Foot | Typical Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Stock / RTA | $120–$300 | Best cost control and fast availability, fewer size and finish options. |
| Semi-custom | $350–$750 | More sizes, modifications, finishes and accessories. |
| Fully custom | $800–$1,800+ | Made to exact dimensions with broad material and design freedom. |
2. Construction Upgrades Change the Base Price
Moving from furniture-board boxes to all-plywood construction can add roughly 15%–20% in some lines. Dovetail drawers, thicker backs, upgraded hinges and inset construction can move pricing further.
3. Finish Is a Cost Modifier
Factory-painted finishes may add roughly 10%–15% compared with selected stained finishes in some programs. Custom color matching, glazing, distressing and specialty sheens should be separate line items.
4. Internal Accessories Need Their Own Budget
| Accessory | Broad Planning Range |
|---|---|
| Soft-close dovetail drawer slide / upgrade | $30–$60 per drawer |
| Trash pull-out | $200–$400 |
| Lazy Susan / corner mechanism | $300–$600 |
Add spice pull-outs, tray dividers, appliance lifts, rollout trays and pantry organizers individually. Ten “small” upgrades can easily become a four-figure change.
5. Crown, Light Rail and Fillers Are Labor Items Too
Decorative molding and filler strips require measuring, cutting, scribing and finishing. Ask the quote to separate material and installation labor where possible.
6. Worked Example: 24 Linear Feet
| Tier | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Stock / RTA | $2,880 | $7,200 |
| Semi-custom | $8,400 | $18,000 |
| Fully custom | $19,200 | $43,200+ |
Now add, for example, a plywood-box modifier, a finish modifier, $1,500 of accessories and $2,000 of crown/fillers/detail labor. That is why cabinetry quotes should be compared at component level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do stock cabinets cost per linear foot installed?
A broad planning range around $120 to $300 per linear foot can be useful for stock or RTA cabinetry, depending on product quality, assembly and installation.
How much do semi-custom cabinets cost per linear foot?
A broad planning range around $350 to $750 per linear foot installed can be useful, depending on brand, door style, modifications and finish.
How much do fully custom cabinets cost?
A broad range around $800 to $1,800 or more per linear foot installed can be useful for early planning, with premium woods, inset construction and complex finishes pushing higher.
Does all-plywood construction add much to cabinet cost?
A broad planning modifier of roughly 15% to 20% above furniture-board box construction can be useful for some product lines, but manufacturer pricing varies.
Why do cabinet accessories add so much to the total?
Each pull-out, tray, drawer upgrade and organizer adds hardware, fabrication and installation. A kitchen with many specialty interiors can add thousands beyond the base boxes.