How Much Does It Cost to Install Cabinet Hardware? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $100 - $10,000
The average cost to install cabinet hardware ranges from $100 to $10,000, with a national average of $300. The hardware material and size of your kitchen impact cost, along with labor expenses.
Installing new cabinet hardware might seem like a simple project, but it can have a huge impact. The cost to install new cabinet hardware can range widely, from $100 to $10,000, with an average price of $300. Changing up the handles and knobs on your cabinets adds new energy and style to your kitchen and can even add value to your home. However, new cabinet hardware installation is a project that can get pricey quickly if you opt for ornate or novelty hardware. In this guide, you’ll learn how to keep your cabinetry project within your budget when upgrading your kitchen.
- Average
- $300
- Low end
- $60
- high end
- $15,000
Cabinet Hardware Cost Factors
Your overall costs will depend on the types of cabinet hardware you choose—with more precious, ornate, and higher-priced hardware taking considerably more time and effort to install than simple, cost-effective cabinet hardware. Before embarking on your cabinet hardware installation project, consider labor costs, kitchen size, materials, hardware styles, shipping, and hidden costs. Here are the cost breakdowns to install cabinet hardware:
Labor
The average kitchen cabinet hardware project costs around $300 for installation. And you can expect a kitchen remodeling pro near you to charge between $5 and $30 per piece to install cabinet hardware. If you hire a handyperson near you, you can expect to pay between $50 and $100 per hour. That said, you may incur higher costs if you hire a cabinetmaker to create and install custom hardware. The average installation takes about three hours to complete, so you may use that number to factor an hourly rate when using a handyperson.
Kitchen Size
Cabinet hardware averages between $2 and $50 each. So, if the average-sized kitchen is 100 to 200 square feet, you should aim for 20 to 40 pieces of cabinet hardware. Accounting for labor, you can expect to pay between $120 and $2,400 to install cabinet hardware in an average-sized kitchen.
Cost by Material
Hardware materials largely determine the final cost of your cabinet hardware project. You’ll need one piece for every cabinet you’re upgrading or outfitting, so counting the number of replacement knobs or handles you’ll need can help you establish a budget. Reviewing all of the kitchen cabinet terms can help you decide how many pieces you need for your cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Here are some price ranges to give you an idea of how much you could pay:
| Material | Price Range per Piece |
|---|---|
| Glass | $3 – $25 |
| Crystal | $3 – $75 |
| Ceramic | $1 – $15 |
| Resin | $3 – $10 |
| Stone | $3 – $50 |
| Wood | $1 – $10 |
| Plastic | $1 – $5 |
| Brass | $5–$200 |
| Bronze | $10–$200 |
| Copper | $5–$200 |
| Stainless Steel | $4–$32 |
| Zinc Alloy | $5–$100 |
| Iron | $1 – $200 |
Glass
Glass hardware costs between $3 and $25 each. Glass knobs and pulls add refined elegance to your space with a touch of vintage character. Glass hardware has a uniform, polished look that will make your kitchen feel timeless.
Crystal
You can expect to pay between $3 and $75 per piece for crystal cabinet hardware. Crystal hardware is both decorative and refined and has been a home staple for decades. With crystal hardware, you’ll get beauty and shine.
Ceramic
Ceramic hardware runs from $1 to $15 each. Ceramic hardware comes in various styles, colors, shapes, sizes, and designs, and with its cost-effective price, you’ll be able to decorate your kitchen in whatever design style you choose.
Resin
You’ll pay between $3 and $10 a piece for resin hardware. Resin knobs and handles have a clear epoxy resin mixed with liquid parts. Those parts combine to form a shiny, glossy solid piece of hardware. Resin can come clear, tinted, flecked, glittered, or with design elements.
Stone
Natural stone cabinet hardware costs $3 to $50 each. You can choose from various gemstones in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Natural stone hardware adds a feeling of warmth to your home.
Wood
Classic wood cabinet hardware costs between $1 and $10 each. You can find wood hardware in many varieties and colors. Wood hardware is also available in many shapes and sizes, with adornments such as jewels or metals.
Plastic
You can expect to pay $1 to $5 for each piece of plastic hardware. Plastic hardware is simple and cost-effective, plus you can find them in many different shapes, sizes, and colors.
Brass
Brass hardware runs between $5 and $200 each. Not only is brass hardware timeless, but it’s also antimicrobial, making it a great addition to kitchens. You’ll find brass hardware in various shapes, sizes, and finishes—so you can add a more vintage or modern look to your kitchen.
Bronze
You’ll pay $10 to $200 a piece for bronze hardware. Like brass, bronze hardware is also antimicrobial, making it an excellent fit for your kitchen. Oil-rubbed bronze has a darker hue and is perfect for modern farmhouse-style kitchens.
Copper
Copper hardware costs $5 to $200 each. Copper has many benefits: it’s antimicrobial, timeless, and blends well with many kitchen designs.
Stainless Steel
You’ll pay between $4 and $32 each for stainless steel hardware. Stainless steel hardware is durable, with its corrosion, fire, and heat resistance. Stainless steel hardware comes in many styles, sizes, and hues making it a great addition to modern, industrial, or art deco-style kitchens.
Zinc Alloy
Zinc alloy hardware runs from $5 to $100 per piece. Zinc alloy is another durable hardware material with high corrosion resistance. Zinc alloy is versatile and available in various styles, sizes, and hues.
Iron
Iron hardware costs between $5 and $200 each. Iron hardware is durable, sturdy, and timeless. You’ll find this hardware in either cast or wrought iron. Both are available in different casting shades, most commonly black and gold. Iron hardware is also available in many shapes and sizes.
Cost by Style
At lower budgets, style doesn’t necessarily change the price of your new cabinet hardware. But novelty and ornate pulls will almost certainly up the price. Weigh the pros and cons of matching home hardware or mix-and-match styles.
Round/Oval
Round and oval pull knobs are two of the more popular options you’ll find from manufacturers. From glass to wood to various metals, you’ll likely find knobs or handle products in these shapes made from all materials. Expect to pay anywhere from $1 (ceramic, wood, plastic) to $200 (bronze, copper, etc.).
Square
For a slightly different aesthetic, some may opt for square knobs or handles over round or oval. Material costs will still make up the bulk of these products. Again, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1 to $200 per handle, depending on the material.
Novelty
Novelty cabinet hardware is great for those looking for a little flair and could include (but isn’t limited to) fun designs, interesting shapes and color designs, memorable textures, and even animal figures. Materials will still play a factor but expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $200 or more for these original items.
Ornate
Ornate cabinet pulls come with intricate, often elegant designs, shapes, and patterns. Cabinet hardware made with natural stone and vintage brass, bronze, and even gold are all possibilities in this category of hardware. You can expect to pay $20 to $30 each as a starting point. Custom designs and rare creations could cost $500 or more per piece.
Shipping Costs
Big home improvement store chains typically offer free shipping or delivery when you order online or in-store. Boutique custom designers, on the other hand, may charge shipping.
Hidden Costs
Depending on the condition of your cabinets, you may need to include additional costs for cabinet and hardware repairs, removal, re-sanding, and painting. The cost to refinish kitchen cabinets averages $3,000.
Especially on old cabinets, sometimes additional work (refitting or refacing) is needed to complete the job, resulting in more material and labor costs. And cabinet refacing will run you between $4,500 and $10,500.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Cabinet Hardware Yourself?
If you go the DIY route, you’ll need access to several tools. A power drill with drill bits, a level, a tape measure, and a Phillips head screwdriver will all come in handy during installation. A utility knife and crowbar may also be necessary for removing cabinets.
You’ll save between $130 and $275 on labor when installing new cabinet hardware. If you’re remodeling your kitchen at the same time, anything you can DIY (hardware removal, sanding, painting) can also reduce costs.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you have the tools, supplies, and time, you can tackle this project yourself in a few hours. You’ll only need to pay for the cost of the cabinet hardware itself. Yet, we recommend hiring a cabinet installer near you. While this job may sound simple, it’s anything but. Ensuring that all of your hardware is properly aligned requires making a template—this way, you don’t misalign and mis-drill your cabinets and hardware. Making frequent mistakes will be costly, as you’ll need to replace or repair each door front. Hiring a cabinet pro will save you time and hassle.
Tips to Reduce Cost While Installing Cabinet Hardware
While you can’t change the price of labor for a pro to install cabinet hardware, you can save costs in other ways, including:
Match hardware hole sizes: If you’re replacing old cabinet hardware with new knobs and pulls, it will cost less to match the hole sizes already in your cabinets than to create entirely new hole templates.
Measure properly: measure your cabinetry and purchase handles, knobs, and pulls that will fit correctly. Otherwise, you may have to fix and repaint your cabinet doors to install the right size.
Shop around: Get at least three quotes from kitchen cabinet pros to ensure you get the best price possible.
Pick affordable finishes: Choose hardware finishes that will age well, last long, and don’t break your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unless you want a cabinetmaker to assess your kitchen and build out the aesthetic for you, purchasing hardware should fall to you. Replacing kitchen cabinet hardware yourself, especially the removal of old knobs and re-sanding or repainting, could save you hundreds in installation costs. If you know what you’re doing or are already tackling a DIY cabinet project, taking care of it yourself is a great strategy to stay within your budget.
Ultimately, this home improvement project comes down to materials and kitchen cabinet hardware styles. You can find specific patterns at lower costs if you opt for plastic, wood, or ceramic over expensive metals, for example. Decide which material you think will look best in your home and at your budget, and then find the right product for you.
You can expect this project to take a few hours for an average-sized kitchen. Although, it could take up to a full day if you need to fit specialty hinges and use custom screws. Also, if your kitchen needs major prep work, such as sanding, refinishing, or repainting your cabinets, you can expect the job to take much longer.
Yes, you can replace old kitchen cabinet hinges with soft close, and it’s a great DIY project you can likely tackle in a weekend. Installing soft close hinges first involves removing the cabinet doors and old hinges with either a screwdriver or power drill. The next step involves drilling a new hole for the new hinges, following the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s a fantastic way of upgrading standard cabinet hinges and giving a more custom feel without the expense of replacing your cabinets.