If you’re interested in a remodel using Chicago custom cabinetry then you know it’s going to cost you more than other semi-custom or stock options. However, costs vary considerably even within the upper-tier custom cabinetry world. If budget is a concern, your professional kitchen design and build team can help you save money based on the following factors.

5 Factors Affecting the Cost of Chicago Custom Cabinetry

Here are the 5  most common factors that elevate (or not) your total custom cabinetry costs.

How many cabinet boxes do you need?

Your kitchen size and layout can make a tremendous difference in the cost of your cabinets because they drive the sheer quantity of wood – as well as labor – required to get the job done. Thus, the more cabinets to be built, the higher the price will be.

Are you interested in an exotic or luxury wood species?

Oak and maple are more affordable wood options, cherry moves you into a higher price bracket, and then exotic wood species – like dramatic Macassar or Wenge wood – will drive that price even higher. Availability, supply-demand, and shipping costs all play a role here.

Even “regular” wood species can be more expensive if you opt for rift- or quarter-sawn options rather than the plain-sawn standard.

The door style and details

Typically – but not always – the more ornate the door style is, the higher the cabinetry cost runs because more design details require more material and craftsmanship to build-out. Traditional cabinet doors with more detailed details may also require a level of artistry that costs more.

The way your cabinet doors are installed and/or set within – or on – the cabinet box also drives custom cabinet costs. For example, frameless, inset cabinet doors are more expensive than framed- or full overlay cabinet doors.

Your preferred finish

In almost all cases, painted cabinets cost more than stained cabinets. An additional glaze used to add texture or warmth will also add a bit more to the base price. Selecting a stylized finishes – like distressed, crackled, or brush-stroked – all cost more as well.

In the case of cabinet finishes, it’s labor - more than materials - that drives costs up because varying coats of paint/finish and longer/shorter drying time are factored into the quote. A high-quality finish requires sanding, sanding, more sanding, multiple coats of the paint, finish, glaze, seal, etc., and hands-on application or techniques to ensure it’s all done to meet consistent, luxury standards.

Customized interiors and storage solutions

Customized and efficient storage options are the norm are the standard in contemporary kitchen designs, but that doesn’t mean they come without an additional price. The more you customize the interiors of your cabinets, the more costly it will be. That being said, the very act of customizing interior cabinet storage can mean you need fewer cabinets altogether – leaving more open space for a coffee station or breakfast nook, a customized baker’s corner and other personalized kitchen design features that improve workflow.

The professional team at Kitchens and Baths Unlimited looks forward to working with you to create a luxury kitchen design with competitively-priced Chicago custom cabinetry. Contact us to schedule your consultation.