How Much Do Bathroom Cabinets Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $3,300 - $12,000
The average cost of installing bathroom cabinets is $5,500, but it can range between $3,300 and $12,000 or more, depending on the size and type of cabinets you choose.
A bathroom cabinet update can modernize your bathroom, add storage space to a smaller secondary bath, or make a primary bath more luxurious. Premade vanities cost as low as $100, while custom-built cabinetry goes as high as $42,000 or more, but bathroom cabinets average $5,500. Keep reading to learn about the considerations you’ll need to make as you estimate your bathroom cabinet costs.
- Average
- $5,500
- Low end
- $100
- high end
- $42,000
Bathroom Cabinet Installation Cost Breakdown
Cabinet installation costs come down to the size of the bathroom, the number of cabinet units, the type of cabinets, materials and finishes, and labor costs. You might have to compromise in one area or another in the context of your overall bathroom remodel costs. But there are many ways to stay within budget, and sometimes all you need are a few bathroom remodel ideas to create the bathroom you’re visualizing.
Size
The bigger the bathroom, the more cabinet units you may need to fill the space. The cabinet height or countertop height is another big factor when it comes to price. Bathroom cabinet heights range from 30 inches for a child’s bathroom to 36 inches, with 32 to 34 inches being standard. Taller cabinets require more materials and, consequently, will cost more than standard-height cabinets.
| Bathroom Size | Average Square Footage | Average Cost of Bathroom Cabinets |
|---|---|---|
| Powder room or half bath | 20 | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Three-quarter bathroom | 40 | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Full bath | 145 | $10,875–$29,000 |
| Primary bathroom | 160 | $12,000–$32,000 |
| Large primary bathroom | 210 | $15,750–$42,000 |
Cabinet Type
Bathroom cabinet types fall into two broad categories: freestanding and built-in. Freestanding cabinets work well in smaller spaces, while built-ins take full advantage of the extra space in a large bathroom. However, you can install either type, no matter the size of the room. The size, style, and finishes can make either type more or less expensive.
Cabinet types also break down by grade: prefabricated, semi-custom, and custom.
Materials and Finishes
The most common bathroom cabinet materials include:
MDF: Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) consists of wood fibers glued together. It’s inexpensive, dense, and easy to cut and paint. But it can sag or bend under too much weight and isn’t water resistant, so durability is something to be desired. MDF costs between $70 and $250 per linear foot.
Plywood: Plywood consists of thin sheets of glue-bonded wood. It looks like solid wood but costs less, coming in between $180 and $275 per linear foot. Plywood resists moisture better than MDF and solid wood, so it’s less likely to warp or crack in climates and environments with excess moisture. However, exposed edges reveal layers of wood.
Solid Wood: Solid wood offers the best durability, with cherry, maple, and oak being the most popular woods. However, it’s the most expensive bathroom cabinet option at $250 and $400 per linear foot. Solid wood is also susceptible to environmental conditions, such as excessive moisture. It can warp or crack in a bathroom with poor ventilation or a humid climate.
Finishes are the final laminate, color, or stain on the cabinets. It’s the last factor in creating your desired style and look. Cabinet materials, like the type of wood, affect how the final finish appears because each material responds to finishes slightly differently. Finishes range from waterborne, stained, and painted to glazed, varnished, and distressed. Price varies by the material, finish, and brand.
Labor
Labor and installation costs vary by location and type of installation. For example, if you need a plumber to perform repairs or move plumbing, your labor costs will be much higher than just installing the bathroom cabinets. Labor costs range between $200 and $1,000, including material removal and cleanup. Custom cabinets require more time and skill, which increases labor costs. Contact a nearby cabinet installer to get an estimate of labor costs in your area.
Cost to Remove Existing Bathroom Cabinets
Your contractor will include removing and disposing of old cabinets in your estimate, but check to make sure before hiring one. If you remove any flooring, tiles, or fixtures, you could be looking at an additional $1,000 to $2,300.
Plumbing
Bathroom remodel costs can involve plumbing upgrades, such as replacing standard cabinets with taller custom units or upgrading a single sink to a double. Plumbing costs vary widely based on location and the complexity of the project, but the average cost is $800.
Bathroom Cabinet Cost by Type
There are many options for the type of cabinets for your bathroom. While the bathroom vanity consists of a mirror, sink, and cabinets, your choices about those items will influence your bathroom remodel cost.
For example, if you plan to have a medicine cabinet behind your mirror, that may cost more than a simple mirror. There are two types of cabinets: premade and custom.
Prefabricated or Stock Bathroom Cabinets
Prefabricated or stock bathroom cabinets are available at home improvement stores as kits. They are available in a wide range of prices (anywhere from $40 to $500) and styles and can sometimes be shipped directly to your home.
Keep in mind that stock cabinets still require installation, which means either doing it yourself or hiring a professional.
Semi-Custom Bathroom Cabinets
Semi-custom bathroom cabinets beat out ready-to-assemble and stock cabinets when it comes to quality. They also come in a wider variety of door and drawer styles than stock cabinets. However, they’re made and measured in 3-inch increments, so you can’t get a custom fit in all circumstances. You can expect to pay between $500 and $800 per unit, though those numbers may be higher if you choose cabinets taller than 36 inches.
Custom Bathroom Cabinets
The name is pretty self-explanatory: Custom cabinets are custom-built for your bathroom. They are built on-site by a cabinetmaker and can vary greatly in price depending on materials and labor.
Costs of custom bathroom cabinets vary by contractor, size, and materials, but you can expect to pay between $700 and $1,000 per unit, not including installation. For a large primary bathroom cabinet overhaul, you could be looking at upward of $15,000, including installation and supplies. This option is the most expensive, but if you’re creating the perfect dream bathroom, you’ll get cabinets made precisely to your specifications.
Refinishing vs. Refacing vs. Replacing Bathroom Cabinets
If you’re on a tight budget, the cost of refinishing cabinets is less than the cost of installing new cabinets. However, refacing bathroom cabinets can sometimes cost just as much or more than completely replacing them. Whether or not this option saves money depends on the cabinet type, finish, and hardware.
Refacing involves replacing the cabinet doors and leaving the cabinet box, whereas refinishing involves sanding, repainting, staining, or lacquering the existing cabinets and doors.
The cost of refinishing cabinets is the least expensive option at $1,800 to $5,000 while refacing costs $4,500 to $10,600 on average. Replacing cabinets costs $2,000 to $10,000, though the price can be much higher for a large bathroom with custom cabinets.
| Cabinet Update | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Refinishing | $1,800–$5,000 |
| Refacing | $4,500–$10,600 |
| Replacing | $2,000–$10,000 |
Cost to Install Bathroom Cabinets Yourself
If you’re looking at installing your own cabinets, you have likely opted for a stock kit. Fortunately, these kits include all necessary installation hardware, so you’ll just need tools. A basic list of tools you might need includes:
Tape measure
Pencil
Level
Drill with screwdriver bits
Stud finder
Jigsaw
Small profile gauge
Caulk tape
The advantage of installing cabinets yourself is that you’ll only have to pay for the tools and materials. This cost can quickly add up, but if you’re pretty handy, you might already have many of these items tucked away in your tool shed.
Keep in mind that installing a vanity can be tricky, as there’s a countertop and plumbing involved. Countertops for bathrooms come in various materials, so you’ll have to ensure the cabinets are strong enough to support your chosen countertop material. While you can install a vanity as a DIY project, you risk making mistakes—and those mistakes can be expensive and drive up your bathroom vanity installation costs. Contacting a bathroom vanity pro might be best to get the job done right.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Consider doing the work yourself if the project is small and you have the right DIY experience and the time. You may also consider doing some of the project yourself and hiring a pro to take care of things like plumbing or electrical.
It’s best to leave large projects or those requiring big plumbing upgrades to bathroom remodeling pros. They know how to handle and install delicate materials and can better troubleshoot any issues during installation. Just be sure to get quotes from at least three pros before hiring.
Cost of Common Bathroom Cabinet Installation Add-ons
If you install new bathroom cabinets but keep your old fixtures, countertop, and backsplash, the bathroom can look disjointed and halfway finished. When you decide to install new cabinets, it may be a good time to look into other bathroom upgrades to complete while the cabinet project is underway. Your local cabinet installation professional can offer suggestions and include the cost of these add-ons in their quote. Common bathroom cabinet installation add-ons include:
| Bathroom Cabinet Add-Ons | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Backsplash installation | $3–$6 per square foot |
| Vanity countertop | $400–$4,300 |
| Bathroom faucet | $170–$360 |
| Bathroom vanity mirrors | $50–$250 |
| Wall sconces | $150–$350 |
| Bathroom sink | $220–$650 |
How to Save on Bathroom Cabinets
If you’re on a tight budget, it might be time to reconsider the number of cabinets and their configuration. You can compensate for the lost storage space in other ways, such as installing open or freestanding shelves.
Another alternative to consider is wood veneers. They can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000 or more and provide the look of real wood at a lower price. You can also sand them with a belt sander and refinish them. Wood veneers aren’t used in bathrooms because they’re vulnerable to humidity and water. However, they’re a cost-saving option in the right circumstances.
You can save money on bathroom cabinets by:
Refinishing or refacing rather than replacing the cabinets
Opting for prefabricated and stock cabinets over buying custom cabinets
Using the existing plumbing and electrical layout
Frequently Asked Questions
Building a bathroom cabinet can be cheaper than buying one, especially if you have woodworking skills and tools. The cost of materials can be less than that of a premade cabinet. However, buying a ready-made cabinet might be more convenient and cost-effective if you factor in your time and effort. Custom-built cabinets offer more flexibility in design and materials, while pre-made options provide ease and faster installation.
Yes, new bathroom cabinets made from a quality material can increase home value. Updated cabinets enhance the overall look and functionality of the bathroom, making it more appealing to potential buyers. Additionally, they create a sense of cleanliness, an essential factor for homebuyers. Investing in new cabinets is a cost-effective way to modernize your bathroom's aesthetics and usability, which is a win-win for your home's market value.
A bathroom cabinet is a storage unit typically mounted on the wall or set on the floor to store toiletries, towels, and other essentials. On the other hand, a bathroom vanity includes a sink and a countertop, often with integrated storage beneath.
The vanity serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, combining a sink area with storage, whereas a cabinet is purely for storage. Remember, vanities are central bathroom fixtures, while cabinets can be additional storage solutions.