The total average cost of installing cabinets is $5,050, while installing countertops costs $3,300. The material is the greatest cost factor, averaging less than $1,200 for laminate countertops and less than $3,250 for solid surfaces. Refinishing costs almost $2,800 while refacing averages nearly $6,900.
Updated February 22, 2022
Written by HomeAdvisor.The average cost of installing or replacing cabinets is $5,050. The average cost of refacing cabinets is $6,700 while refinishing them costs $2,850. The standard height for kitchen cabinets is 34.5 inches, upper cabinets are 30 inches high, and those over refrigerators are usually 12 to 15 inches. Standard sizes almost always cost less, as the prices jump when you move to custom installations.
Replacing cabinets costs an average of $5,050, resulting in a complete replacement that should result in cabinets that are a perfect marriage between form and function. These projects can be a good investment by making your kitchen and bathroom more efficient and attractive.
The first step in estimating the cost of replacing cabinets is prioritizing your preferences. You may want to focus on granite countertops, in which case you might want to cut your expenses on the cabinets. In this case, you could resurface or reface the cabinets instead of replacing them. On the other hand, you might want to buy sturdy, custom cabinets while settling for tasteful but less expensive laminate countertops. These are the trade-offs you might need to make when working within a smaller budget.
The average cost of refacing cabinets is $6,950. Refacing is actually more expensive than installing completely new cabinets due to the labor involved. However, you might consider refacing your cabinets rather than replacing them if you like their location, size and shape.
Refacing usually involves replacing the doors and drawer fronts. You'll cover the cabinets' exposed face frames with new wood or plastic veneer, but you won't replace the cabinet boxes themselves. The cabinets' layout and structure stay the same, but they get a new look.
The most significant cost factors for a refacing project are the materials used to cover your cabinet boxes' front and sides. Low-cost options on this aspect of the project include refacing with a wood veneer or laminating over the solid wood face.
The average cost of refinishing cabinets is $2,900. This process includes removing the old paint or stain, sanding the surface down and repairing it as needed. The final step is to apply new paint, stain or varnish to the bare wood. Refinishing cabinets can completely change the look and feel of your entire kitchen. However, it requires experience to achieve a professional finish.
Refinishing cabinets is more affordable than replacing them, but it still allows for color changes to match your new design. The repairs you make to the old surfaces, such as removing scuffs and scratches, also make the cabinets look new. The existing construction and materials determine the best method of refinishing cabinets. In the case of veneers, you would strip off the existing varnish and apply a new coat.
| Material | Cost Per Square Foot |
| Laminate | $10 - $40 |
| Ceramic | $5 - $7 |
| Granite | $40 - $60 |
| Marble | $12 - $180 |
| Corian | $45 - $65 |
| Quartz | $50 - $150 |
The cost of a laminate countertop is between $10 and $40 per square foot, while providing the best selection of colors and patterns. It also offers more choices for edging than other materials. Another advantage of laminate is that you can form it into a seamless backsplash that keeps spills from seeping behind the cabinets. Laminate countertops also are quicker and easier to install.
Ceramic countertops cost between $5 and $7 per square foot and provide a classic, elegant look. They're also available in a variety of styles and colors. However, the installation cost is higher since you need to lay each tile individually. The cost of ceramic tiles is highly dependent on their durability, as this determines how easy they are to scratch.
The cost of granite countertops starts in the $40 to $60 per square foot range, but they can cost more depending on the granite's specific colors and patterns. Granite is available in nearly every color, including white and blue hues. The mottling, streaks and swirls in each block of granite are unique. Rare colors and patterns like Blue Louise and Typhoon Bordeaux cost between $65 and $100 per square foot.
The cost of marble countertops is highly variable, ranging from $12 per square foot for Makrana to $180 per square foot for Calacatta. Marble is very porous, so it's easy to stain and scratch. Preparation and care are therefore more critical for marble countertops than other types of materials.
An Acadia counter costs $20 per square foot, while an Abalone counter costs $30 per square foot. The cost of Corian countertops largely depends on the demand for that color, as the manufacturing costs are the same. The main advantage of Corian countertops is their high durability to heat and acid.
The cost of quartz countertops is usually between $50 and $150 per square foot, depending on the brand and manufacturer. Engineered quartz is one of the most beautiful and durable home design options, especially for kitchens and bathrooms. It also combines many of the advantages of both laminate and stone materials.
Additional material options for countertops include butcher block, recycled glass and Meganite. Butcher block is a handy, attractive surface, while recycled glass is pretty and environmentally friendly. Meganite is a type of acrylic that simulates the look of stone and is available in various pre-made shapes.
The average cost of remodeling a kitchen is $150 per square foot, with a typical range between $75 and $250 per square foot. The most important cost variables include the total size of the remodeling space, the quality of materials, and whether you change the room's layout.
A smaller project's total cost is usually between $10,000 and $15,000, which should include painting walls, refacing cabinets, upgrading the sink, and installing a tile backsplash. Assuming a cost of about $7,000 to reface the cabinets, about 46 percent of the cost of this project would go towards the cabinets. The cabinet work is therefore a major part of a small kitchen remodeling project.
A larger project costing at least $30,000 renovation should include installing custom cabinets, hardwood floors, granite counters and high-end appliances. Installing custom cabinets for a kitchen costs an average of $5,250, while granite countertops cost about $3,250. The total cost of the cabinets and countertops would be $8,500, which would be about 28 percent of a major kitchen renovation cost.
The total cost of installing a stock cabinet as part of a kitchen remodeling project is between $75 and $150 per linear foot. This type of cabinet is pre-made with a standard shape and size, so the options are more limited than other types. Stock cabinets are the most affordable option and are readily available at most home improvement stores.
Semi-custom cabinets cost between $100 and $1,000 per linear foot. They're available in the same sizes as standard cabinets, but you can also order them with additional details for an extra fee. Common options for semi-custom cabinets include extra deep cabinets, different door fronts and non-standard drawer sizes.
Custom cabinets cost between $500 and $1,000 per linear foot. They're designed from scratch to look exactly the way you want them to. However, they're also the most expensive option and require a skilled carpenter to make.
Countertops typically cost between $2,000 and $4,000 as part of a kitchen remodeling project, depending on the surface area and materials. They play a major role in determining your kitchen's look and usability, so you need to choose carefully based on function and appearance.
Quality is usually the main cost factor within each category of materials, but popularity can also affect the price. Seamless materials like granite and Corian are better at resisting leaks, but they're also more expensive. Laminate is less costly, but it also adds less value to your home. Tile can look nice, but it also requires more maintenance since you have to clean grout regularly.
It costs about $5,030 to replace kitchen cabinets and $3,300 to replace countertops. The biggest cost variable for cabinets is whether they're standard, semi-standard or custom. The choice of material is the most significant cost factor for countertops is the choice of material.
New custom cabinets cost between $500 and $1,000 per linear foot. Granite countertops typically cost between $40 and $60 per square foot, but they can cost up to $100 per square foot.
You can find the best prices on cabinets and countertops at home improvement centers. This assumes you want standard cabinets and are willing to do the installation yourself. Otherwise, you'll need to shop around to find contractors with the lowest labor rates.
The most affordable kitchen cabinets have a plywood frame and a door made of particleboard instead of cabinets made of solid hardwood. Laminate is the most inexpensive material for countertops.
Cabinet contractors in your area should be able to install pre-made cabinets and countertops. However, custom cabinets will require a professional carpenter to install. Tile countertops need a contractor with specific experience with this material.
Online images of cabinets and countertop images are a great way to start your search for ideas on countertop materials. Big-box stores and showrooms also allow you to check out the styles, colors, and materials available in your area. You should also hire a pro to ensure you select the right products for your space.
