How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost in Illinois? A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners and Contractors

How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost in Illinois? A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners and Contractors

Kitchen cabinet cost in Illinois comes down to four things: how many cabinets the layout needs, which tier you buy (stock, semi-custom or custom), how the cabinets are built and finished, and what the price includes, such as assembly, delivery and installation. Prices change and suppliers quote differently, so the reliable way to answer how much kitchen cabinets cost is to price one identical cabinet list with several suppliers. This guide shows how.

Key takeaways

• The cabinet list drives the price: box count, linear feet, tall cabinets, panels and fillers.
• Tier sets the range: stock cabinets cost least per box, semi-custom adds options, custom is built to order and costs most.
• Construction and finish move the price within a tier: plywood boxes, dovetail drawers, soft-close hardware and painted finishes cost more than particleboard and basic hardware.
• Compare itemized quotes for the same layout, including assembly, delivery and installation, or the cheapest quote may only look cheapest.

Understanding the different types of kitchen cabinets

The first step in estimating the cost of kitchen cabinets in Illinois is understanding the three tiers:

Many kitchens do not need custom work. A stock line with standard widths, plus fillers and panels, fits most rooms; semi-custom or custom makes sense for unusual dimensions, furniture-style details or a specific finish that stock lines do not offer.

Material matters: how construction changes the price

Within any tier, construction is the next biggest price driver. Here’s how the common materials compare:

• Particleboard and MDF boxes: often used in budget stock cabinets and relatively inexpensive; particleboard swells if water reaches an unsealed edge.
• Plywood boxes: a more durable option that holds screws and tolerates moisture better; plywood cabinets generally cost more than particleboard.
• Birch face frames: solid wood face frames add rigidity and a classic look, and they usually cost more.
• Drawer boxes and hardware: dovetail solid wood drawers, full-extension soft-close glides and adjustable soft-close hinges cost more than stapled drawers and basic hinges.
• Finish: painted doors usually cost more than stained or melamine doors because of the extra finishing steps.

Our cabinet materials guide explains each material in detail.

What drives kitchen cabinet costs

Average kitchen cabinet costs in Illinois: what the totals look like

Cabinet prices are rarely published in a way that compares fairly, because every quote covers a different cabinet list. For whole-kitchen budgets, Remodeling magazine’s 2025 Cost vs Value report for Chicago lists average job costs of $27,187 for a midrange minor kitchen remodel, $84,237 for a midrange major kitchen remodel and $161,499 for an upscale major kitchen remodel. Cabinets are one line within those totals, alongside countertops, appliances, flooring and labor. For the cabinet line itself:

• A small kitchen’s total depends mostly on the cabinet tier and how many wall and base units the layout needs.
• A medium-sized kitchen adds more linear feet, so the tier you choose has a bigger effect on the total.
• Larger kitchens, islands, tall cabinets and custom options sit at the top of the range.

For the full remodel picture, see the full cost of a kitchen remodel in Cook County and our Chicago kitchen remodeling guide.

How to get an accurate kitchen cabinet price

1. Measure and draw the layout with window, door and appliance locations; include appliance model numbers.
2. Build a cabinet list by width and type: base, sink base, drawer base, wall, tall, corner, panels, fillers, crown, toe kick.
3. Pick the door style and finish so every supplier prices the same thing.
4. Send the same list to each supplier and ask for an itemized quote.
5. Confirm what is included: assembled or ready-to-assemble, hardware, delivery, and whether installation is quoted separately.
6. Compare totals and construction side by side, then compare warranty terms.

Cost per linear foot

Divide the total cabinet cost by the combined length of base and wall runs in feet to compare quotes quickly. Keep tall cabinets, panels and fillers in the total, and count runs the same way for every quote. A per-foot number from a website that does not show its cabinet list is not comparable to your quote.

Additional costs to consider

When budgeting for kitchen cabinets, be sure to account for the costs around them:

• Installation: professional installation is usually quoted separately and depends on cabinet count, wall conditions, scribing and leveling.
• Assembly: ready-to-assemble cabinets need assembly time; assembled cabinets cost more but install sooner.
• Cabinet hardware: knobs and pulls vary in cost with style and finish, multiplied by every door and drawer.
• Delivery fees: depending on your supplier, delivery fees apply, especially for jobsite delivery.
• Removal and disposal of the old cabinets.
• Countertop changes if new cabinets change the counter footprint.

Where to buy kitchen cabinets in Illinois

• Home improvement stores: big-box retailers offer stock and special-order lines at posted retail prices; construction varies by line.
• Cabinet showrooms and dealers: semi-custom and custom lines with design help, priced per project.
• Wholesale cabinet suppliers: stocked lines sold to contractors, builders and designers at trade pricing. CCC Cabinets in Des Plaines is one example.
• Online retailers: ready-to-assemble cabinets shipped direct; check freight, damage handling and returns.

For direct comparisons, see IKEA vs a wholesale supplier and Menards vs a wholesale supplier.

Contractor cabinet pricing: how wholesale works

Contractors and builders usually buy through a wholesale trade account. At CCC Cabinets, there is no published price list: a contractor submits a short trade application, and once the account is approved, CCC quotes wholesale pricing per project. Orders are placed on the official CCC order form and confirmed in writing within 3 hours. CCC also offers cabinet modifications for an additional fee that depends on the modification; modified items cannot be returned. See the trade account and order process pages.

Tips for staying within your budget

• Set a budget for cabinets before you start shopping, with a separate line for installation.
• Prioritize needs vs wants: spend on drawer bases and a good sink base before decorative trim.
• Use standard widths and fillers instead of modifications wherever the layout allows.
• Explore in-stock options: stocked styles avoid lead-time surprises and let the installer schedule with confidence.
• Consider wholesale pricing: if you are a contractor or builder, a trade account gives you project pricing; homeowners can ask their contractor to quote through one.
• Choose RTA if your crew assembles: see ready-to-assemble vs pre-assembled cabinets.

How CCC Cabinets fits your budget

CCC Cabinets is a wholesale supplier in Des Plaines, near O’Hare, with 15 door styles in stock, from shaker styles such as Pure White and Shaker Blue to raised-panel styles such as Millennium White. Every style uses the same construction: 1/2-inch A-grade plywood boxes, 3/4-inch plywood shelves, 3/4-inch birch face frames, 17 mm solid wood dovetail drawers and soft-close hinges and glides. Cabinets are available assembled or ready-to-assemble, with warehouse pickup or jobsite delivery on CCC trucks. CCC sells to the trade, so homeowners buy through their contractor or designer. Browse the full collection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Cabinets in Illinois

How much do kitchen cabinets cost in Illinois?

It depends on the number of cabinets, the tier (stock, semi-custom or custom), construction, finish and what the price includes. Because every quote covers a different cabinet list, the reliable way to price cabinets is to send one identical, itemized list to several suppliers and compare installed totals along with construction and warranty.

What is the cheapest way to buy kitchen cabinets?

Stock cabinets in standard widths, ready-to-assemble if your crew assembles them, with fillers instead of modifications and only the accessories you will use. Contractors can lower cost further through a wholesale trade account. Check the box material first, because cheap boxes can cost more over time at the sink base.

How much does it cost to install kitchen cabinets?

Installation is usually quoted separately from the cabinets and depends on the number of cabinets, whether they arrive assembled, wall and floor conditions, and trim work such as crown and panels. Ask installers to price from the same cabinet list and drawing so quotes are comparable.

Are RTA cabinets cheaper than assembled cabinets?

Ready-to-assemble cabinets usually cost less to buy and are easier to transport, but someone has to assemble them, which adds labor time on site. Assembled cabinets cost more and install sooner. Compare the cabinet price plus assembly labor for both options.

Why do kitchen cabinet quotes vary so much?

Quotes usually cover different things: different cabinet lists, box materials, drawer and hinge quality, finishes, trim, assembly, delivery and installation. Make every supplier price the same itemized list and state what is included, and most of the gap either closes or becomes clearly explained.

How do contractors get wholesale cabinet pricing in Illinois?

By opening a trade account with a wholesale supplier. At CCC Cabinets, contractors, builders, remodelers, property managers and dealers submit a short application; once approved, CCC quotes wholesale pricing per project. CCC does not sell retail, so homeowners buy through their contractor or designer.

How long does it take to receive kitchen cabinets?

Stocked cabinets are the quickest. At CCC, in-stock orders placed before early afternoon are usually ready for same-day pickup, and ready-to-assemble orders are generally ready sooner than assembled ones; confirm availability and timing for your door style when you order. Semi-custom and custom cabinets are built after ordering and take longer.

Conclusion

The cost of kitchen cabinets in Illinois varies with the cabinet list, tier, construction, finish and what the quote includes. Draw the layout, build one itemized list and price it with several suppliers, and you will know what your kitchen really costs. For in-stock wholesale cabinets, visit CCC Cabinets at 2180 S Wolf Rd, Des Plaines, call (872) 241-5525, or contact CCC Cabinets to plan a showroom visit.