How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Cabinet Maker?

A cabinet maker’s hourly rate can fall anywhere between $50 to $75 per hour. In terms of cabinetry, the price will depend on the size of the cabinets, manner of construction and quality of materials used.

Cabinets come in various types, sizes and designs. They can either be bought built-in or customised based on your needs and preferences. Bespoke designs incur higher fees as they are more personalised.

Whether it is kitchen cabinetry or bathroom, decide what type you are installing to create a reliable budget plan. Hire a skilled cabinet maker for your cabinetry projects to ensure the quality of service and workmanship.

Costs of Cabinet Makers in Australia

Generally, cabinet makers in Australia charge around $50 to $75 per hour. Labour rates may vary depending on your location, the size of the job and their level of experience.

Cabinet makers have varied skills and techniques when constructing furniture. One cabinet maker may differ from another in terms of exposure and expertise. Ensure to identify your requirements to know what tradie is best suited for your cabinetry needs.

Note: Before entering into contracts, clarify overheads and profits. This can help you determine the exact costs of labour. For custom cabinet makers, expect to pay higher rates as the process is more labour-intensive.

Factors that Influence the Cost of Cabinets

There are a number of factors to determine when budgeting for new cabinet installation.

1. Type of cabinetry

How you want your cabinets to be built will affect the overall cost. Semi-custom cabinets, for instance, may cost more as they offer more flexibility in terms of styles, features and finishing options.

Custom cabinetry usually takes 12 to 16 weeks to build, ship and install. Semi-custom cabinets can be delivered on-site anytime between 4 to 8 weeks, and stock cabinets can only take a few days to ship to your home after purchase.

Long hours of labour can have an impact on your expenses. If you have more budget, hire a cabinet maker to handle the design, creation and installation process.

2. Usage

The cost of cabinets and labour installation will depend on where the furniture will be used and the type of materials that you prefer.

Cost of Kitchen Cabinet Installation

Cabinetry makes up the majority of expenses when constructing or renovating a kitchen. For small to mid-range kitchen renovations, expect to pay around $100 to $300 per cabinet.

When it comes to major renovations, the cost of kitchen cabinets per piece is $300 to $500 including labour.

Bathroom Cabinet Installation Cost

A budget vanity can cost around $200. Mid-range vanities can range from $700 to $850, and premium ones can reach up to $1,500 or more. Expect to pay around $200 to $350 for simple installation only.

Bathroom vanities with one to two sinks installed may cost around $1600 to $2,850 (labour and materials). A bathroom cabinet maker can work on bespoke designs for your new cabinets, which may attract increased costs.

Cost of Home Office Cabinets

Display and filing cabinets provide good storage solutions for your important files, documents and awards. A two-drawer, vertical filing cabinet may cost around $210. For a 4-drawer filing cabinet, you may be charged at $320 or more depending on the specification.

Expect higher fees for quality home office cabinets that you might order.

Cost of Bookcases

Buying a bookcase may cost anywhere between $140 to $330 depending on the size, style and quality of materials.

Larger costs will be incurred for bookshelves with built-in drawers and special features. Expect around $600 to $900 for these types.

Note: Say the number of hours spent on set-ups is one to two. You might be charged at a base rate of $50 to $150 for labour.

3. Manner of installation

The installation process can have an implication on how cabinet makers will price the job. Installing a base cabinet differs from mounting cabinets on the wall or building a floor-to-ceiling bookcase with ladders.

Always include the same specifications when asking for quotations from several tradies to compare prices.

Custom Cabinet Cost Estimates

Bespoke cabinets with drawers as personalised features will cost you more than buying and installing a typical cabinet. Say a 3-drawer kitchen cabinet is priced at $600. Choosing to buy and install these drawers instead of fitting a door will significantly affect pricing.

Whether deep drawers, movable or pull-outs, a professional custom cabinet maker can help to meet your preferred style. Asking them to create storage lockers with more intricate designs will cost you more than investing in stock cabinets.

As an example, a custom mid-range kitchen cabinetry with expensive finishes, hardware and features can cost about $11,000. The quality of materials is always the major cost determinant.

How Much Cabinet Accessories and Upgrades Cost

Cabinet accessories such as handles and knobs play an important role in improving the visual appearance of the furniture. Most cabinet hardware suppliers provide a wide selection of styles, shapes and sizes with varied costs to match your personal taste.

The cost of cabinet hardware varies depending on whether wood or crystal pulls are installed. Crystal knobs cost more than wood, brass or copper.

Some retailers offer their products per piece or by set. When buying a set of luxury crystal round cabinet door knobs, expect to pay around $15 to $86.

For overhead kitchen cabinets, you can install recessed LED lights beneath to increase the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your kitchen. Expect $170 to $180 per metre for this add-on.

Things to Consider Before Hiring Cabinet Makers

When hiring a qualified cabinet maker, ensure to verify their credentials, experience and area of specialisation.

In some states, cabinet makers need to be licensed. Carrying a Certificate III in Cabinet Making is also a requirement to make the tradie eligible for the job. There are kitchen builders and installers who can handle such tasks as long as they have licence restrictions.

A wide range of skills in carpentry and joinery must be possessed by cabinet makers to make them more reliable. You may ask previous clients to know their level of expertise and experience.

Always request for written quotations to know how much they charge and shop around prices from other professionals. Australia’s most trusted trades provider HIREtrades can assist you to find local tradies for your cabinet making projects.