How Much Do Custom Cabinets Cost?
The quick answer (2026)
In the Portland area, fully custom cabinets typically run $80–$300+ per linear foot installed, depending on materials, finish, and complexity. Semi-custom lines run $80–150 per linear foot and stock/big-box cabinets $50–80 — see our custom vs. IKEA and big-box comparison for what you actually get at each tier. The fastest way to a real number: send your layout or plans to scott@foundrycabinets.com or call (360) 606-1106 for a free quote.
One of the first questions homeowners ask about custom cabinets is: “How much will it cost?” The answer: it depends. Let’s break down what affects custom cabinet pricing and help you budget for your project.
How Much Do Custom Cabinets Cost? Pricing Guide & Budget Planning
The Simple Answer
A typical 10-foot kitchen cabinet run might range from $800–$3,000+, depending on your selections ($80–$300+ per linear foot).
But this simple answer doesn’t capture the full picture. Let’s dive deeper into what drives these costs.
Budget Kitchen Cabinets: $50-80 per linear foot
Mid-Range Custom Cabinets: $80-150 per linear foot
Premium Custom Cabinets: $80–$300+ per linear foot
What Affects Custom Cabinet Costs?
1. Material Selection (20-30% of cost)
Wood Species:
- Budget: Birch plywood with veneer – $40-60/sq ft
- Mid-range: Maple, oak – $60-100/sq ft
- Premium: Walnut, cherry, white oak – $100-200+/sq ft
Different woods have different costs based on availability, durability, and aesthetics. Exotic woods cost more than domestic species.
2. Cabinet Size & Scope (30-40% of cost)
Larger kitchen cabinets obviously cost more. But there’s more to it:
- Linear footage: Each additional foot of cabinetry increases cost
- Height: Taller cabinets (floor to ceiling) cost more than standard 36″ cabinets
- Depth: Standard is 24″ deep. Shallower or deeper cabinets adjust costs
- Number of drawers vs. doors: Drawers are more expensive than doors (more hardware, more complex mechanism)
- Internal complexity: Pull-out shelving, organizers, and specialty storage increase costs
3. Finish & Color (15-20% of cost)
Finishes and color choices have a major impact on both the look and cost of your cabinetry.
- Paint finish: $3-8 per linear foot premium
- Stain finish: $2-6 per linear foot premium
- Natural finish: $1-3 per linear foot premium
- Specialty finishes (glaze, distressed, faux finishes): $5-15 per linear foot premium
- Number of finish coats: Premium finishes require more coats, increasing cost
4. Hardware (5-10% of cost)
Hardware costs vary dramatically. A kitchen with 20 cabinet doors and 5 drawers might have 25 hinges + 25 handles. Budget hardware: $125-150. Premium hardware: $500-1,500+. That’s a huge difference!
- Budget hinges: $3-5 per hinge
- Quality soft-close hinges: $15-25 per hinge
- Premium architectural hardware: $30-100+ per piece
- Handles and knobs: $2-50+ per piece
5. Installation & Labor (20-30% of installation cost)
Installation costs depend heavily on the complexity of the job and the conditions on site.
- Standard installation: Included in custom cabinet cost
- Complex installation (multiple trades, difficult access): Additional labor cost
- Removal of existing cabinets: Usually included but varies
- Countertop integration: Usually separate
6. Timeline & Customization Complexity (5-15% of cost)
Project timelines and design complexity can influence both pricing and scheduling requirements.
- Standard designs: Lower cost
- Complex custom designs: Premium for design time
- Urgent timeline: Rush fees may apply
- Extensive customization: Design complexity increases cost
Real-World Cabinet Cost Examples
Example 1: Basic Kitchen (10 linear feet)
- Materials: Maple with simple stain
- Standard hardware: Basic soft-close hinges and pulls
- Simple installation
- Estimated Cost: $800-1,500 (mid-range custom)
Example 2: Premium Kitchen (12 linear feet)
- Materials: Walnut with premium stain + glaze finish
- Premium hardware: Brass pulls, soft-close hinges
- Custom interior organization (pull-out shelves, specialty organizer
- Complex installation
- Estimated Cost: $2,500-4,500 (premium custom)
Example 3: Luxury Kitchen (15 linear feet)
- Materials: White oak + premium finish
- Luxury hardware: Designer architectural pulls, premium soft-close
- Extensive interior organization
- Built-in lighting and additional custom features
- Estimated Cost: $4,000-8,000+ (luxury custom)
Comparing Stock vs. Semi-Custom vs. Fully Custom
Stock cabinets are cheaper but rarely fit perfectly. Fully custom costs more but is designed specifically for your space.
| Stock | Semi-Custom | Fully Custom | |
| Price per linear foot | $30-60 | $60-100 | $80–$300+ |
| Customization | Limited | Moderate | Unlimited |
| Quality | Good | Very Good | Excellent |
| Timeline | 2-4 weeks | 4-8 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Perfect fit | Often | Usually | Always |
How to Budget Smart
Step 1: Determine Your Total Budget
What can you realistically spend on cabinetry? This is your starting point.
Step 2: Prioritize
Where can you splurge? Where can you save? Splurge on quality hardware. Splurge on beautiful wood species. Save on interior organization Consider painting rather than staining
Step 3: Get Multiple Quotes
Step 4: Plan for 10-15% Contingency
Unexpected issues happen (walls aren’t square, existing damage, electrical issues). Plan for 10-15% over budget.
Step 5: Think Long-Term
Premium cabinets cost more now but last decades. Cheaper cabinets might need replacing in 10-15 years. Do the math on cost per year of use.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
When budgeting for custom cabinetry, don’t forget:
- Countertops: Typically separate from cabinet cost ($50-300/linear foot)
- Backsplash: Usually separate ($25-100/linear foot)
- Electrical and plumbing: New locations might require additional work
- Flooring: You may want new flooring around new cabinets
- Hardware installation hardware: Usually included but verify
- Painting adjacent walls: Often desired after new cabinets installed
- Taxes: Sales tax on materials typically applies
Questions to Ask When Getting Quotes
- What’s included in the price (installation, removal, hardware)?
- What are the material and finish options?
- What’s your warranty and what does it cover?
- What’s the timeline from order to installation?
- What happens if the space has problems (walls not square, plumbing issues)?
- Do you offer payment plans or financing?
- Can you provide references?
ROI: What’s Your Return on Cabinet Investment?
According to the National Association of Home Builders, a mid-range kitchen remodel returns approximately 60-70% of its cost when you sell. High-quality cabinetry significantly impacts this ROI—buyers notice quality cabinetry.
But the real return is daily. Open a drawer with smooth soft-close operation. Enjoy perfectly organized storage. Appreciate beautiful craftsmanship. That’s priceless.
Custom cabinet cost FAQs
How much do custom cabinets cost per linear foot?
Fully custom cabinets typically cost $80–$300+ per linear foot installed in the Portland area. Semi-custom runs $80–150 and stock cabinets $50–80. Where you land in the range depends mostly on materials, door style, and finish.
What drives the price most?
Size and scope are the biggest factor (30–40% of cost), followed by material selection (20–30%), finish and color (15–20%), installation (20–30% of install cost), and hardware (5–10%). Painted finishes and inset doors sit at the higher end; stained slab or shaker doors keep budgets down.
Are custom cabinets worth it over IKEA or big-box?
For rentals and simple layouts, big-box can be the right call. For old-house walls, tall ceilings, islands, and long-term kitchens, custom usually wins: plywood boxes, exact fit, any finish, and installation included. Once you add big-box upgrades, assembly, and install labor, the gap is smaller than most people expect — the details are in our honest comparison.
How do I get an exact price?
Send a rough layout, plans, or even photos with dimensions to scott@foundrycabinets.com or call (360) 606-1106. Quotes are free, and you approve detailed shop drawings before anything is cut. See what’s included on our custom kitchen cabinets in Portland page.