Key Factors that Determine the Cost of Kitchen Cabinets

“How much should I budget?” is often what most of our Sydney clients have in mind when reaching out about installing or replacing kitchen cabinets. 

Factors that affect the cost of kitchen cabinets

Installation of kitchen cabinets is usually discussed in the context of a kitchen renovation, so we’ll begin by considering costs in that context as well.

Australians tend to spend more on kitchen renovation than any other part of the house, and average cost has been observed to be between $20,000 and $30,000. An estimated 30% or so of the renovation costs are spent on cabinets, which works out to be between $6,000 and $9,000. Again, this is an average range.

On a case-by-case basis though, the cost can range widely depending on a number of factors as below:

• Type of materials chosen (and quality of the materials)
• Installation and other labour costs (and techniques used)
• Design costs and customisation (where required/relevant)
• Number and size of cabinets

In this article, we’ll explore two of the most important factors – materials and labour, to give you a leg up when planning and budgeting for kitchen cabinets. 

Impact of material selection on kitchen cabinet costs

Material is a large driver of the cost, with custom made costing more than flat pack (or ready-to-assemble) cabinets.

The boxes of most high-quality kitchen cabinets in Sydney are made of medium density fibreboard (MDF), which is denser and a more durable material than plywood or particle board. MDF is made from a mixture of wood fibres and synthetic resins, which is then heated and pressed. They can be coated in various finishes, textures and colours, with Melamine laminate (made of resin and plastic) being a popular coating material. Solid wood is also a very durable option, but can be more expensive than MDF, and is easily stained. These boxes, together with carcass and other hardware, make up the cabinets.

In choosing materials, we note that while certain durable cabinets are longer-lasting and resistant to damage, they may also require regular maintenance.

On the other hand, cheaper cabinets can get scratched, peeled and damaged easily. For example, dense particle board is usually the cheapest, but can start to crack as moisture accumulates over time. This is because it is essentially made of wood composites, or wood waste.

Therefore, it is important to strike a balance considering your budget, but also without neglecting plans for the long-term use and maintenance of the cabinets.

We’ve observed that most of our clients try to get the best cabinetry they can afford. In recent projects in North Shore for example, we observed cases where high-end custom cabinets cost up to $16,000 in a single kitchen. These were in context of large kitchen renovation projects. This is not to say that all kitchen cabinets should cost that much, as ready-to-assemble cabinets can be a fraction of that, and may require less labour as well.

The specific location within the kitchen, and by extension the type of cabinet may also affect the cost. This is due to sizing and if extra labour would be required in designing / properly fitting in the cabinets.

A typical kitchen could include cabinetry under bench, overhead and free-standing (at full height), and potentially with an island bench as well (where cabinets are embedded within the bench). Other types of kitchens have corner carousels, open storage and deep drawers.

As a contrast, individual small cabinets can cost around $100 – $300, whereas full height cabinets can cost around $550 – $800. Note these exclude labour costs, which we discuss below.  

Impact of labour on kitchen cabinet costs

There are two sides to consider when assessing labour costs. One is obvious – the estimated cost of the labour to install the cabinets, and potentially some custom design work, permits and/or any required inspections prior to that. The less obvious is the costs that you may incur after the cabinets are installed – that is, if the workmanship is poor, if materials selected are not suitable, or if extensive maintenance is required.

As an aside, if you need repairs, that labour is usually charged on an hourly basis, and can cost more depending on the value and/or materials of the cabinetry.

Therefore, it’s always wise to hire more experienced and reputable cabinet makers and pay a small ‘premium’ in price to get a higher-quality product as a way of having insurance.

When hiring a company for the first time, we recommend getting quotes from several providers, and as part of that ask them to show you some of the recent work they’ve done, and perhaps try and speak with some of their recent customers. If they are a reputable provider, they may be willing to share other satisfied customers’ details (where they give consent of course).

A perception may be that cabinet makers in Sydney cost more than other Australian cities, but we’ve observed that experience and reputation matter more than merely location. An experienced cabinet maker in Newcastle could charge a lot more than a less experienced one in Blacktown.  

Further, one should always distinguish between a carpenter and a cabinet maker, as cabinet makers have a specialised focus on cabinets, and usually only work in-doors. Those who focus on custom cabinets can be considered even more specialised within the cabinet making profession. Generally, the more specialised the provider, the more it costs. So if you want ‘standard’ kitchen cabinets, it may not be necessary to hire say a very specialised, high-end, custom cabinet maker.

We’ve observed ‘standard’ kitchen cabinet makers’ hourly rate to be between $65 and $85 per hour for regular cabinets, and $120 per hour or more for more custom design or complicated installation. Some companies give discounts based on the number of cabinets you order with them.

Conclusion

The kitchen is the centre of the household, where family and friends gather, chatter and enjoy great food. Cabinets make for a key ingredient into a well-functioning and aesthetically pleasing kitchen space, and contribute to the overall design of the home.

Smart selection of kitchen cabinets can tick all the boxes between long-term usability and functionality, elegant design and wise budgeting. Researching your options before engaging a reputable cabinet maker is a great first step in achieving your dream kitchen.