Hello everyone, Steve Ardi here from Rock Valley Cabinets and Bay Valley Construction. I’ve been selling and installing cabinets for years, and I’m happy to share what I’ve learned regarding cabinetry pricing and installation price.
Cabinet Pricing: It’s Just the Boxes
When I or most cabinet dealers price your cabinetry. It’s for the cabinetry itself—nothing more. That means the doors, frames, shelves, and hardware that come with them, built and delivered to your door. We provide "white glove" delivery service which IS included in my price. Even though it’s spelled out in my contract, almost every time, I hear the same question: “Does this include installation?” It’s a fair ask, and I’m here to explain why it’s separate and how installation costs change depending on the type of cabinetry you choose. After years in this business, I’ve got the scoop.
The Installation Question
“Why doesn’t it include installation?”
Kitchen Cabinet Install Costs | Rock Valley Cabinetry | Nassau County NY. Customers ask me all the time. It’s because installing cabinets isn’t a one-size-fits-all job. I chargen one rate for a simple setup and a totally different one for a complex design. The type of cabinets you pick plays a huge role in that.
How Installation Costs Vary by Cabinet Type
Here’s where it gets interesting. Installation labor isn’t the same across the board—it shifts depending on the cabinetry style and construction. I’ll break it down with some examples
Full Overlay Stock Cabinetry: This is the basic, budget-friendly option. Doors cover most of the frame, and they’re pre-made, so installation is straightforward. Labor’s on the lower end— starting around $125 per linear foot. Quick and simple for my crew.
Full Overlay Semi-Custom Cabinetry: A step up, with some customization like adjusted sizes or special features, applied base molding, crown molding, end panels etc. It takes more time to fit everything just right, so installation moves into the $150-$225 per linear foot.
Full Overlay Custom Cabinetry: Fully tailored to your space, often with unique details. These require precision—every cut and alignment has to be perfect. That bumps labor up to $250 to $450 per linear foot.
Frameless Basic Standard Cabinetry: No face frame means a modern look and slightly trickier assembly. Installation’s a bit more involved than stock full overlay, so it’s in the $100 to $200 per foot.
Frameless Semi-Custom Cabinetry: Add custom tweaks and slight design upgrades ie: Appliance panels —and it gets trickier. Labor moves $250 to $450 per foot.
Inset Custom Cabinetry: Custom Inset cabinetry is the top-tier option for your kitchen or any space—it’s built from scratch to fit your exact needs. We design and craft every piece to match your layout, style, and vision. Think endless choices: unique sizes, extended stiles and rails. Premium woods like white oak, Cherry , Walnut, and painted Maple. Finishes from paints, hand wiped stains to glazes. You can add big crown moldings, integrated panels on exposed ends, appliance panels for a seamless look, recessed toe kicks with furniture-style bases. It’s the top seller for Rock Valley Cabinetry and Bay Valley Construction in the High-End Residential Market. This cabinetry takes longer to install and to fabricate , but it’s worth it for a one-of-a-kind result. Install price for this type of design hovers around $350-$600 linear foot, and usually price molding, panels, and trims seperatly as they are usallay very intricate and time consuming.
Why It's Worth It
Paying for professional installation isn’t just about getting cabinets on the wall—it’s about getting them right. A solid install means doors that line up and open and close properly, drawers that glide smooth, Moldings and trims cut and installed properly and a kitchen that lasts for many years to come.
A well-done kitchen can boost your home’s value—something I’ve seen firsthand on countless projects.https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/how-to-increase-home-value
I’ve fixed enough DIY and some contractor jobs gone wrong to know it’s worth letting my team handle it.
Got questions about your project?
I invite you to join our Facebook Group Kitchen Remodel & Cabinetry Q&A
If you have questions Ask the Pros........We have the answers.
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