Cabinetry is the single biggest line in almost every kitchen we build — usually 29 to 45% of the total. Get this number right and the rest of the budget falls into place. Get it wrong and everything downstream gets squeezed.

The three tiers, per linear foot

Cabinets are priced by the linear foot of cabinetry — measure along the wall at the base cabinets, add the uppers and any tall units. In our market, installed, with hardware and standard soft-close:

• Stock & in-stock (Cab-Tec, KCD, NorthPoint): roughly $150–$300 per linear foot. Fixed sizes in 3-inch increments, a solid range of doors and finishes, quick lead times.
• Semi-custom (J&K, Wolf, Bertch): roughly $300–$550 per linear foot. More sizes, more finishes, modifications like reduced-depth cabinets and custom colours, 6–10 week lead times.
• Full custom (Vermont Cabinetry, local shops): $550–$1,200+ per linear foot. Any size, any species, inset doors, furniture detail, built to your drawings.

A typical 25-foot NH kitchen therefore runs about $5,000–$7,500 in stock, $8,000–$14,000 semi-custom, and $14,000–$30,000 or more fully custom.

What moves the number

Within a tier, the price swings on: door style (a plain slab or shaker is cheapest; inset and raised-panel cost more), finish (stained is cheaper than painted; a custom colour match adds a premium), drawers vs doors (drawer banks cost more than door cabinets but are worth it), accessories (pull-outs, dividers, trash units, lighting), and tall/specialty units (pantries, appliance garages, hoods).

Where refacing fits

If your boxes are solid plywood and the layout works, refacing — new doors, drawer fronts and veneer on the existing boxes — runs roughly $4,000–$10,000 for that same 25-foot kitchen. It is the right move when you like where everything is and just want it to look new. It is the wrong move if the layout fights you or the boxes are particleboard.

Keeping it from running away

If cabinetry is coming in above half your total kitchen budget, the layout needs another look before you order — you are probably paying for cabinets you will not miss. A designer can usually find that money in the plan. Start with the cabinet door & finish finder to lock the style, then the cabinet calculator for a linear-foot estimate.

See the real door

Renders lie about finish and feel. We keep sample doors from every line on the floor at 104 Emerald St in Keene — bring your countertop sample and see them together in real light before anything is ordered.