How to Estimate the Cost of Cabinet Installation

Determine if you want to use pre-fabricated modular cabinets sold in local home improvement stores, or if you want to use custom-fabricated cabinets handcrafted by a carpenter. The prices between the two can range drastically, and your budget will help you determine which is the most affordable. While you can sometimes find a set of kitchen cabinets in a store for $10,000, you could pay upwards of $50,000 for custom cabinets from a master craftsman.

Understand that labor costs will vary dramatically between pre-fabricated cabinets and custom cabinets. While pre-fabricated units are manufactured to be quickly and easily installed, snapping together like pieces of a puzzle, custom cabinets are built to the contours of your house, and thus require more time and effort to install. Basic pre-fab installation costs range from 10 to 15 percent of the cost of the cabinets, while custom installations can be upwards of 25 percent of the cost, although it varies by the contractor and your region.

Determine if you are dealing with a remodel or a new installation. The costs for new installations are far less than remodels because of the fact there are no people living in the house, no concerns over dust and dirt, no concerns about working plumbing or moving appliances and so on and so forth. Remodeling projects always cost more, with most contractors charging the same amount of money to remove old cabinets as they will charge to install the new ones due to the extra time and hassle.

Research your contractors. Some contractors charge by the foot, some charge by the project, others charge by the inch, and still others charge by the piece. Your region will influence the actual numbers. For example, low-end carpenters may be willing to work for as low as $15 or $20 per hour, but master craftsmen with years of experience will usually require upwards of $75 per hour or more to install cabinets.