Kitchen cabinet installation labor costs $100 to $300 per linear foot, or $2,000 to $6,000 for a typical 20 linear foot kitchen. That is 15 to 25 percent of what you spend on the cabinets themselves. The variable that moves it is not the brand or the door style: it is how far out of square and out of level your walls and floors are, because every cabinet has to end up plumb regardless of what it is attached to.
We sell the cabinets at our Derwood showroom and H&C Construction installs them, which means we see the quote and the invoice on the same kitchen.
What the labor includes
| Task | Share of labor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Layout, levelling and ledger lines | 15% | Finding the high point of the floor, snapping lines |
| Hanging upper cabinets | 25% | Done first, so base cabinets do not obstruct |
| Setting and joining base cabinets | 30% | Shimming, clamping, fastening face frames together |
| Fillers, scribes and panels | 15% | Where the kitchen meets imperfect walls |
| Doors, drawers and hardware adjustment | 15% | Soft-close alignment is slow, fussy work |
Countertop templating happens after this and is a separate trade and a separate line.
Why two identical kitchens cost different amounts to install
Out-of-level floors. The installer finds the highest point of the floor and works from it, shimming everything else up to match. A floor that is three-quarters of an inch out across a run turns a one-day install into a two-day install and eats a toe kick.
Out-of-square walls. Corners that are not 90 degrees mean scribing fillers to fit, which is handwork. In older Maryland homes this is normal rather than exceptional.
Stock vs semi-custom. Semi-custom cabinets arrive in sizes that fit your kitchen, so there is less filler. Stock cabinets in 3-inch increments leave gaps that somebody has to resolve on site, and that resolution is labor.
Assembled vs RTA. Ready-to-assemble cabinets add $30 to $75 per box in assembly time, which is rarely included in a quoted installation rate.
The question to ask every bidder
Ask what the quote assumes about the floor and the walls, and what happens if they are out. An installation quote that does not mention levelling is a quote that has not looked at your kitchen. The second question is whether removal and disposal of the old cabinets is included: it is $300 to $800 and it is frequently excluded.
For how this sits in the full cabinet budget see how much kitchen cabinets cost, and for the alternative to replacing them, painting vs refacing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install kitchen cabinets?
$100 to $300 per linear foot in labor, or $2,000 to $6,000 for a 20 linear foot kitchen. That is 15 to 25 percent of the cabinet cost.
Is cabinet installation included in the cabinet price?
Rarely. Showrooms and big box stores usually quote cabinets and installation separately, and disposal of the old cabinets is often a third line that is easy to miss.
How long does it take to install kitchen cabinets?
One to two days for a straightforward 20 linear foot kitchen, two to three days where floors are out of level, walls are out of square or there is significant filler and panel work.
Does it cost more to install RTA cabinets?
Yes, $30 to $75 per box in assembly time, which is not usually part of a quoted per-linear-foot installation rate. Ask specifically whether assembly is included.
Do cabinets go in before or after flooring?
It depends on the flooring type, and getting it wrong is expensive. See our breakdown of floors or cabinets first.
Want the install priced before you order? Bring your kitchen dimensions to our Derwood showroom and we will tell you what your floor and walls are likely to add. Call (301) 939-0009 or book a showroom visit.