By Gil Rukchin, CGC1530409 · Updated October 2026 · 9 min read
Quick answer
Nationally, the cost of kitchen cabinets runs $100–$300 per linear foot installed for stock, $150–$650 for semi-custom and $500–$1,200 for custom, by HomeAdvisor’s national cost guide (accessed October 2026). [1] In Miami, we price cabinets inside a fixed, line-item kitchen contract after a site visit, so your number comes from that estimate, not from a per-foot rate. [2]
The short version
- Nationally, kitchen cabinets run $100–$1,200 per linear foot installed, by HomeAdvisor’s national cost guide (accessed October 2026); these are U.S. figures, not our prices. [1]
- Semi-custom cabinets run roughly 30% below full-custom and fit about 95% of layouts. [3]
- On a typical kitchen, plywood boxes cost roughly $1,500–$2,500 more than particleboard; ours are plywood as standard. [3]
- Imported kitchen cabinets and vanities from most countries: 25% tariff since October 14, 2025, scheduled to rise to 50% on January 1, 2027. [4,5]
- Permit applications submitted from December 31, 2026 are scheduled to follow the Florida Building Code, 9th Edition. [6]
| Cabinet grade | Installed, per linear foot (U.S.) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | $100–$300 | Fixed box sizes and finishes |
| Semi-custom | $150–$650 | Standard box sizes with more door and finish options; fits about 95% of layouts [3] |
| Custom | $500–$1,200 | Built to exact dimensions for odd angles, inset doors and curved end panels |
National installed cost by HomeAdvisor’s cabinet cost guide, accessed October 2026; U.S. figures, not Miami quotes. [1]
How much do kitchen cabinets cost in Miami in 2026?
How much do kitchen cabinets cost depends on the grade and the length of the run. Nationally, a typical 10-by-10-foot kitchen runs $2,000–$24,000 in cabinets, and most projects land at $4,000–$13,000, so the average cost of kitchen cabinets there sits in that middle band. [1] With us, the cost of kitchen cabinets sits inside a fixed line-item kitchen contract, so your number comes from the estimate for the whole kitchen. [2]
For our cabinet lines and finishes, see kitchen cabinets in Miami.
Kitchen cabinets cost per linear foot
Cabinet quotes are often given per linear foot of wall run. These national averages for kitchen cabinets prices include installation: [1]
| Cabinet grade | Installed, per linear foot (U.S.) |
|---|---|
| Stock | $100–$300 [1] |
| Semi-custom | $150–$650 |
| Custom | $500–$1,200 |
HomeAdvisor national cost guide, accessed October 2026; not Miami First Remodeling prices. [1]
Semi-custom vs full-custom cabinet cost
Kitchen cabinet options come in three grades: stock, semi-custom and full-custom. Semi-custom cabinets run roughly 30% below full-custom. They come in standard box sizes and fit about 95% of layouts. [3]
Custom cabinets cost more because they are built to exact dimensions. They make sense for odd angles, structural posts, inset doors, inlays or curved end panels. [3]
Cabinet installation cost and what else is in the price
Nationally, labor and installation average $130–$200 per cabinet, by a 2023 Bob Vila cost guide, and HomeAdvisor lists stock cabinets at $50–$100 per linear foot on their own against $100–$300 installed. [7] [1]
With us, kitchen cabinets installation is part of the fixed contract: cabinets are built to dimensions measured after demolition, and we come back at about one year to adjust hinges and doors. [2] The written warranty terms are in your contract, and the cabinet maker’s warranty passes through to you. [3]
Plywood vs particleboard cabinet boxes in Miami humidity
Plywood. Every cabinet box we install is plywood, not MDF or particleboard, because, in our experience, particleboard boxes do not hold up in South Florida humidity. On a typical kitchen, plywood boxes cost roughly $1,500–$2,500 more than particleboard, which is why a cheaper quote may not be the same product. [3]
When you compare two cabinet quotes, plywood vs particle board cabinets is the first check. Two quotes for the same layout can differ only because one uses particleboard sides.
- Sides, back and shelves in plywood.
- Doors matched to the humidity they will live in; panel doors made in dry-climate factories can warp here. [3]
- Hinges and drawer glides rated for salt air, with soft-close. [2]
How much does the 2026 cabinet tariff add?
Imported kitchen cabinets and vanities from most countries have carried a 25% ad valorem tariff since October 14, 2025, under Section 232 (Proclamation 10976). The duty is capped at 10% for the UK, and at 15% including regular duty for the EU and Japan. Proclamation 11000 delayed the scheduled increase to 50% until January 1, 2027, except for countries that reach an agreement with the United States. [4,5,8]
The tariff is charged on the import value of the cabinets, not on the whole kitchen. On a 25% duty, imported cabinets with a $10,000 import value carry $2,500 in duty; at 50%, $5,000 (calculated). The tariff also applies to parts imported for use in kitchen cabinets and vanities, such as doors or boxes assembled here. [4] Ask any supplier where the boxes and doors are made and whether the quote includes duty.
Which cabinet door styles cost more?
Shaker is our most-requested door style, and flat-panel frameless suits contemporary kitchens; inset doors with hand-applied beading need full-custom construction, which costs more than semi-custom. [2,3]
- Shaker: white uppers with navy or forest green lowers is the most-requested combination; more color pairings are in two-tone kitchen cabinets. [2]
- Flat-panel frameless: matte white or greige with integrated pulls for a contemporary kitchen.
- Hardware: solid brass, bronze or PVD-finished stainless, which in our experience holds up to salt air better than zinc alloy. [3]
Style trade-offs are covered in shaker vs flat panel cabinet doors.
Do you need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets in Miami?
It depends on scope. Altering plumbing or electrical needs a permit in Miami-Dade, and the permit comes from your city’s building department or, in unincorporated areas, the county. A cabinet swap that touches no plumbing, electrical or walls may be exempt in some cities, so check your city’s exemption list. The City of Miami, for example, exempts cabinet replacement in single-family homes and duplexes that leaves plumbing, wiring and load-bearing walls alone; unincorporated Miami-Dade exempts cabinet installation inside residential units, but plumbing or electrical work that goes with it may need a permit. In a condo, check with the building department and get your association’s approval before ordering. [9,10,11]
We pull every required permit, have each stage inspected and hand over a closed permit and Certificate of Completion; our general contractor license is CGC1530409. [2] Plumbing and electrical work is done by Florida-licensed plumbing and electrical contractors. [12] In Broward and Palm Beach, the permit comes from the building department that covers your address.
What changed in 2026
- Tariff. The 25% Section 232 tariff on imported kitchen cabinets and vanities from most countries stays through 2026 and is scheduled to rise to 50% on January 1, 2027. [4,5]
- Code. The Florida Building Code, 9th Edition (2026), is scheduled to take effect December 31, 2026. For permits filed with Miami-Dade County, applications and plans submitted on or after that date must comply. If your home is inside a city, check that building department’s notice for its submittal cutoff. [6,13]
Field note: what actually moves a kitchen price
Across the six kitchens on our kitchen page, the 130 sq ft Plantation kitchen with a marble waterfall cost more than the 200 sq ft Coral Springs kitchen. In our experience, cabinet construction, the counter slab and layout changes move the price more than square footage. [2]
Mistakes to avoid when budgeting for cabinets
- Comparing quotes with different box materials. Plywood and particleboard quotes are not the same product.
- Ordering imported cabinets without asking about duty. Ask where the boxes and doors are made and whether the quote includes duty; for most countries the rate is scheduled to rise from 25% to 50% on January 1, 2027.
- Buying cabinets first and finding an installer later. Cabinets should be built to dimensions measured after demolition. [2]
- Skipping the permit when plumbing or electrical moves.
- Ignoring lead paint and asbestos in older homes. For homes built before 1978, anyone paid to disturb paint must be EPA-certified. [14] Have suspect flooring or wall materials tested for asbestos by an accredited professional before demolition. [15]
Check any contractor’s license at myfloridalicense.com before you sign.
FAQ
How much do new kitchen cabinets cost?
How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets?
Replacing cabinets costs the cabinets plus removal and installation; nationally, a 2023 Bob Vila cost guide puts installation at $130–$200 per cabinet. [7] A cabinet swap that moves no plumbing or wiring is often permit-exempt for single-family homes; see the permit section above. Before deciding, compare it with what a kitchen remodel adds to resale value.
How much does it cost to reface kitchen cabinets?
A 2023 Bob Vila cost guide puts refacing at about $7,109 on average nationally. Refacing keeps the existing boxes, so it only makes sense when they are sound; in a humid Miami kitchen, check particleboard boxes for swelling first. [7]
Sources
- HomeAdvisor. 2026 Average Cost of Kitchen Cabinets. 2026. Accessed 2026-10-30. https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/cabinets/
- Miami First Remodeling. Kitchen Remodeling in Miami. 2026. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://miamifirstremodeling.com/kitchen/
- Miami First Remodeling. Kitchen Cabinets. 2026. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://miamifirstremodeling.com/kitchen/cabinets/
- Federal Register / GovInfo. Proclamation 10976 of September 29, 2025: Adjusting Imports of Timber, Lumber, and Their Derivative Products Into the United States (90 FR, FR Doc. 2025-19482). 2025. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-10-06/pdf/2025-19482.pdf
- Federal Register. Proclamation 11000: Amendments to Adjusting Imports of Timber, Lumber, and Their Derivative Products Into the United States. 2026. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/xml/2026/01/09/2026-00327.xml
- Miami-Dade County Building. Florida Building Code Ninth (2026) Edition code change notice. 2026. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/economy/building/documents/fbc-ninth-code-change.pdf
- Bob Vila. Kitchen Cabinet Cost Guide: Stock, Custom, and More. 2023. Accessed 2026-10-30. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cost-of-kitchen-cabinets/
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection. CSMS # 66492057 – GUIDANCE: Section 232 Import Duties on Timber, Lumber, and their Derivative Products. 2025. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/3f69699
- Miami-Dade County Building (RER). Homeowners: General Permit Information. 2026. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://miamidade.gov/global/economy/building/homeowners-general-permit-info.page
- City of Miami Building Department. Work that Does Not Require a Permit. 2026. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://www.miami.gov/My-Government/Departments/Building/Building-Services/Work-Exempt-from-a-Permit
- Miami-Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources. Permit Exemptions (updated 12/26/18). 2018. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://www.miamidade.gov/building/library/guidelines/permit-exemptions.pdf
- The Florida Senate. Florida Statutes 489.113 Qualifications for practice; restrictions. 2026. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/0489.113
- Florida Building Commission. 9th Edition (2026) FBC Workplan, October 2026. 2026. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/commission/FBC_1026/Commission/Workplan_October_2026.pdf
- US EPA. Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Contractors. 2026. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program-contractors-0
- US EPA. How do I know if I have asbestos in my home?. 2026. Accessed 2026-10-29. https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-businesses/how-do-i-know-if-i-have-asbestos-my-home-floor-tile-ceiling-tile
About the author
Gil Rukchin founded Miami First Remodeling in 2006 and still leads it as a Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC1530409). The company serves Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach from its showroom at 29 S Federal Hwy Unit B, Dania Beach, FL 33004. Free estimate: (786) 600-2644.