Your custom cabinetry pricing doesn't just cover materials and labor—it reflects your competitive edge, shop capacity, and market position. Most CNC shops either underprice their work to stay busy or overprice without understanding what the market will bear. Getting this right unlocks consistent lead flow and healthier margins.
Breaking Down Your Cost Structure
Custom cabinetry pricing starts with your actual production costs. Material expense typically runs 25–40% of your final price, depending on wood species, hardware, and finish complexity. A mid-grade kitchen in maple or cherry costs less than walnut or exotic species; premium hardware (hinges, slides, soft-close mechanisms) adds $200–500 per cabinet run.
Labor is your largest variable. Time-tracking your projects reveals how long design consultation, CNC programming, material prep, joinery, sanding, finishing, and assembly actually take. Most shops bill $45–$85/hour for skilled labor, though rates in high-cost markets run $90–$120/hour. A 30-piece kitchen cabinet job might consume 120–180 labor hours across your entire workflow.
Machine time and overhead often get overlooked. Factor in electricity, tooling replacement, CNC maintenance, software licenses, rent, and general shop expenses. A realistic overhead multiplier is 1.5–2.0x your direct labor cost.
Pricing Models That Work
Time-and-materials works best for custom jobs with unclear scope. You charge hourly labor ($50–$90/hour), material cost + 25–35% markup, and sometimes a design consultation fee ($500–$2,000). This protects you from scope creep but can concern clients about final costs.
Fixed-price bidding requires detailed estimates and production schedules. Measure the job precisely, create a cut list, program the CNC, and calculate actual machine time. Quote material, labor, finish, and a 15–25% profit margin. This attracts clients seeking budget certainty and works well for semi-custom systems where you've done similar jobs before.
Per-unit pricing suits production runs of identical or near-identical cabinet boxes. Price a standard wall cabinet at $320–$600 depending on size and material, then adjust for custom doors, hardware, or finishes. This method scales with your CNC efficiency.
What the Market Actually Pays
Entry-level custom kitchens (builder-grade oak or pine, simple joinery, minimal finishing) range $4,000–$8,000 total. Mid-range kitchens (maple, custom door styles, soft-close hardware, professional finish) run $10,000–$20,000. High-end work (walnut, handcrafted details, integrated appliances, premium hardware) exceeds $30,000.
Built-in bookcases and entertainment centers follow similar logic: a 12-foot run of floor-to-ceiling shelving in finished plywood with painted MDF doors typically costs $2,000–$5,000, while a showcase piece in solid wood with glass doors climbs to $6,000–$12,000.
Geographic location matters significantly. Urban markets in coastal regions and major metros command 20–30% premiums over rural areas. Your local competition and whether you're targeting residential designers, contractors, or direct consumers also influence what sticks.
Protecting Your Margin
- Track every project's actual time, material waste, and machine setup time
- Build a digital portfolio of jobs and their profitability
- Use your CNC software's job cost tracking features to estimate accurately on new bids
- Price in 10–15% contingency for material waste, rework, or customer-requested changes
- Review and adjust pricing quarterly based on material cost swings and labor market shifts
Many shops underestimate finishing complexity. Hand-sanding, staining, sealing, and sanding between coats can add 20–40 hours to a cabinet run. Don't bury this cost—call it out in your quote so clients understand the craft premium they're paying for.
Getting Visibility and Leads
Stop relying only on Google and referrals. Listing your services on industry platforms like Mercoly helps contractors, designers, and homeowners find you directly, win qualified leads, and showcase your portfolio. A clear, detailed listing with pricing transparency builds trust faster than a generic website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I charge design time separately or roll it into the job price? Charge separately—typically $500–$2,000 depending on complexity—and credit half of it against the final order if they proceed. This filters serious clients and compensates you for speculative work.
Q: How do I estimate CNC programming time in my quote? Track it on 5–10 sample jobs to establish a baseline; most production programming runs 2–6 hours per cabinet design, plus 30–60 minutes per unique CNC toolpath file.
Q: What's a realistic lead time to quote customers? 4–6 weeks for standard custom work (design, materials, CNC production, finishing, assembly, delivery), or 8–10 weeks for high-volume kitchen projects or exotic materials requiring special order.
List your cabinetry and built-in services today to connect with serious buyers actively searching for custom woodwork.