Planning a kitchen remodeling in Los Angeles comes with exciting design choices, and important budgeting questions. One of the most common concerns homeowners have is: what’s the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
In short, cabinetry! Cabinets usually take up the biggest portion of the budget when it’s time to remodel a kitchen. Let’s explore what drives up these costs.
Cabinetry: The Most Expensive Part of Most Kitchen Remodels
Cabinets typically take up 30–40% of the total remodel budget. In Los Angeles, homeowners often prioritize space efficiency, design, and customization.
Why are cabinets so expensive? It comes down to the following:
Customization
Cabinets tend to fall into one of three categories:
- Stock Cabinets: pre-made and budget-friendly
- Semi-Custom Cabinets: offer additional flexibility in size and finish
- Custom Cabinets: built to your exact specifications and offer the highest level of design freedom, but costs the most
When you live in our beautiful city, design trends matter and floorplans vary. That’s why homeowners gravitate toward semi-custom or custom cabinetry for maximum space and a tailored look.
Materials and Construction Quality
Cabinets can be made from multiple materials and have unique finishes. The most popular include:
- Particle board or MDF: affordable, but less durable
- Plywood: a decent mid-range option
- Solid Wood: highest quality and longest-lasting, but more expensive
Add-ons like pull-out trays, spice racks, corner organizers and soft-close hinges improve functionality, but increase the overall price of the cabinets.
Finish and Design Details
It doesn’t matter whether you’re going for a sleek, modern look or a classic shaker style. The finish and detailing you choose impacts your bottom line:
- Painted finishes cost more than stained wood
- Decorative elements like crown moulding, glass doors or inset panels increase labor and material
- Two-tone or specialty finishes can add style and increase costs
Staying up-to-date with current trends is going to cost you a bit more. A luxury aesthetic tends to come with a luxury price tag.
Ways to Save on Cabinets Without Sacrificing Style
Though we are a flooring store in Los Angeles, we know about many ways to save money on your cabinets. Here are a few smart strategies to try out:
- Choose Semi-Custom: Get the flexibility and look you want without going full custom.
- Opt for Shaker or Slab Doors: These clean, timeless styles are less expensive to produce.
- Consider Open Shelving: Some areas don’t need cabinetry. Take this as an opportunity to lighten up the space.
- Mix and Match: Use budget-friendly cabinets for base units and splurge on custom uppers or the other way around.
- Keep Your Layout: Don’t add additional cabinetry or make structural changes unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Cabinets will always be one of the more expensive items in your remodel. The key is knowing which features are worth investing in.
Why Cabinets Are Worth the Investment
Cabinets are a permanent fixture in your kitchen. They dominate the kitchen visually and functionally, and you use them every day. Unlike lighting or countertops, cabinets can’t easily be swapped out later. That’s why it’s worth doing them right the first time around.
When designed and installed correctly, quality cabinetry offers the following:
- Improves functionality and organization of your kitchen
- Adds style and an impactful design to your space
- Increases the resale value of your LA home
Even though it’s the most expensive part of a kitchen remodeling project, quality cabinetry is worth it. This makes it a worthwhile long-term investment.
Cabinets Are The Worth The Investment—But There’s a Smart Way to Do It
What’s the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel in Los Angeles? It’s the cabinets, but it’s for a good reason. They anchor the room, define the design and impact your life more than any other feature. At Carpet Wagon, , a trusted flooring and carpeting store, our goal is to help LA homeowners design beautiful, practical kitchens that fit their budget.
Want to give your kitchen the cabinets it deserves? Contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation!
