Why pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all—and what to know before you compare.
If you’ve ever searched “how much do custom cabinets cost?” and walked away more confused than when you started, you’re not alone. Here’s the truth: custom cabinetry pricing isn’t simple—because custom isn’t simple. And comparing quotes without context is like comparing apples to…well, cabinets.
This post breaks down what really goes into the cost of custom cabinets in Oregon, and what separates one quote from another. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, bathroom upgrade, or full-home cabinetry project, this guide is for you.
The Cost of Custom Cabinets in Oregon: A Realistic Range
Let’s start with the ballpark.
In Oregon, a fully custom kitchen typically ranges from $30,000 to $80,000+, depending on the size, layout complexity, material choices, and level of detail. A simple L-shaped kitchen will naturally cost less than a large, open-concept space with multiple cabinet runs, a built-in pantry, and specialty features like appliance garages or hidden spice pullouts.
Mid-Century Kitchen Cabinets/ Alder with stain in Lake Oswego, OR
Flat doors with vertical grain, flat crown molding with horizontal grain, 8 pcs dovetailed drawers, 8 pcs rollouts, 2 can waste pullout, spice pullout, tray holder sidekick, 2 pc LeMans II units, 2 pcs flip-up doors, 5 pcs countertop support. Delivery and installation included. Cost: $30,185.00
For bathrooms, custom cabinetry usually falls between $3,000 and $10,000 for a standard vanity setup. Larger or more intricate spaces, like master bathrooms with double vanities and linen towers, can reach $12,000 to $15,000 or more, especially when custom finishes or built-in storage are involved.
Bathroom Vanity with two vessel sinks in Portland, OR
Paint grade cabinets with round reeded front and 3″R front corners, 2pcs charging drawers with dividers, laundry basket drawer. Delivery and installation included. Sinks excluded. Cost: $4,900.
See more custom cabinetry projects in our Portfolio.
Laundry rooms often land in the $5,000 to $15,000 range, depending on how much cabinetry you want—basic wall storage and a countertop over machines will be on the lower end, while a full built-in system with hampers, tall cabinets, and utility sinks will push toward the higher side.
For living rooms—think media centers, built-ins around fireplaces, and custom shelving systems—you can expect to invest anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000+, based on scale, material selection, and the architectural detailing you want to incorporate.
But those numbers don’t tell the whole story. What you’re paying for—and why—is where the real value is.
What Impacts the Price of Custom Cabinets?
At ARKA Cabinets, we often hear clients say, “I didn’t realize how different custom cabinets by quality can be until I saw them in your showroom.“
When you start comparing quotes, you might notice a wide range of pricing. Here’s why: not all “custom” cabinets are created equally.
A few key details make all the difference—not just in how your cabinetry looks, but how it holds up over time. When you shop around and visit different showrooms, look at the details that we outline below.
1. Box Construction: Where Quality Begins
Let’s start with the foundation—the cabinet box.
Lower-cost options and prefabricated cabinets often rely on thinner plywood or melamine. They are less sturdy, less durable, and more likely to sag, chip, or wear down with time. They serve a purpose—but they’re not built for the long run.
Unlike many shops, ARKA builds every cabinet with premium ¾-inch, two-sided UV-coated maple plywood, sourced right here in the U.S. The UV coating adds an extra layer of toughness—resistant to scrapes, chips, and daily wear. It’s also a smarter choice for the planet: UV curing uses little to no VOCs, making it an environmentally conscious option.
And yes, your cabinet box matters—especially in kitchens, where you’re storing everything from dishes to food to cast iron pans. This is where strength, safety and quality pay off.
Some cabinet shops cut costs with imported birch plywood. But lower-grade birch has a thinner veneer layer, scratches more easily, and over time, may trap odors or develop a musty smell. And when the origin of the plywood isn’t clear, neither are the manufacturing or safety standards behind it.
Think of it this way: you won’t see the cabinet box—but you’ll feel the difference every time you open a door.
2. Exteriors: Doors, Drawers & the Installed Look
What you see—and touch—matters just as much as what’s behind the scenes. Cabinet doors and drawers define the character of your kitchen, and the materials you choose are critical.
Doors
Doors can be put in four main categories: shaker doors, slab doors, doors with raised panels, and design doors. The construction and material make all the difference. Our team uses domestic, U.S.-sourced hardwood for our shaker and raised panel doors. Carefully selected materials and precise joinery ensure our frames stay tight and strong. Our joints don’t split—because the wood we use is stable, and our craftsmanship is deliberate.
For slab doors, we use high-end plywood with a stable core and fine veneer to prevent warping or movement over time. We prioritize American-sourced raw materials, but for specific aesthetics or finishes, we may incorporate premium select panels from Spain. Every material we use meets the highest ecological and quality standards.
Drawers
Drawers are no exception. Our standard drawer boxes are crafted from ½-inch Baltic birch plywood with dovetail joints—clean, elegant, and reliable. Upgrade to a more elevated look is always possible. We offer hardwood drawers for a luxury interior finish.
Some shops may use ¾-inch poplar with finger joints—bulkier, heavier, and visually unrefined. It might look solid, but it reads as cheap the moment you open it.
How Doors and Drawers Look Together: The Golden Standard of Millwork
But this is where true craftsmanship sets the standard. Ever noticed visible seams where one cabinet ends and the next begins? That’s common in prefabricated systems. And surprisingly, even some custom shops default to this method because it’s faster, cheaper, and requires less skilled labor. Each box is built individually, then installed side by side—resulting in a choppy, segmented look.
We don’t build that way.
Every run of cabinetry is engineered to share stiles between adjoining boxes, maintaining a consistent 1/8-inch reveal across the entire installation. This creates a clean, monolithic surface — no matter how big and tall the cabinets, they look like one piece.
This level of precision doesn’t happen by accident. It requires technical mastery, production standards, and skilled workers—the hallmarks of the highest levels of custom millwork.
3. Finishing: The Final Layer of Craftsmanship
One may be mistaken that finishing is the least important thing in cabinets.
At ARKA Cabinets, we use conversion varnish exclusively. It’s a professional-grade, catalyzed finish that outperforms standard paints in both durability and longevity. Conversion varnish forms a hard, chemical-resistant coating that bonds to the wood surface, making it far more resistant to moisture, heat, and daily wear than common alternatives like latex or acrylic paint.
It’s applied in a controlled environment, a paint booth, then cured using a chemical reaction—not just air drying. This creates a tough, smooth, furniture-grade finish that won’t peel, crack, or discolor over time. You’ve likely seen painted cabinets where the finish begins to chip or wear after just a few years—that’s often latex paint. It looks fine at first… until it doesn’t.
We can also match any color or stain—without limitation. How your cabinets look should not be limited by your cabinetmakers’s tools.
4. Cabinets Installation: Why Precision Matters
Not all quotes include installation—which can make comparisons misleading.
In Oregon, professional cabinet installation typically ranges from $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the complexity of the project. It’s not just about hanging boxes—there are many layers of detail: How many crown pieces do you have? Will you need scribe molding to match uneven walls? Base shoe trim to finish the floor line? These finishing touches make the difference between “almost right” and “meant to be there.”
At ARKA Cabinets, our pricing always includes installation—and it’s done by our own team, not subcontractors. That means tighter quality control, cleaner execution, and no surprises along the way.
5. Design & Space Complexity
A kitchen with 90-degree angles and straightforward appliance placement is one thing.
A home with sloped ceilings, tight transitions, or historical architecture? That’s another.
Experienced cabinetmakers think through every obstacle before the cabinets go into production. That means factoring in wall inconsistencies, door swing limitations, appliance depth, and how all of that will feel in real life. A reliable cabinet maker like ARKA Cabinets will always provide detailed manufacturing renderings, elevations and often 3D models that will exactly depict how the cabinets will look like once built.
6. Customization: Cabinets Designed for the Way You Actually Live
Modern cabinetry is about how your space works. Not all cabinetry labeled “custom” truly is.
Semi-custom and prefab solutions offer convenience, but they often start with standard sizes and make small adjustments to fit.
At ARKA Cabinets, every project begins with a blank slate. We design and build each piece for your space—your dimensions, your routines, your vision. Every cabinet is crafted with intention, right down to 1/16 of an inch, to fit seamlessly into the architecture of your home.
Drawers are designed around how you actually cook. Shelves are measured to hold what you actually use. Storage is built to make everyday living feel easier, cleaner, and more personal.
Why You Shouldn’t Compare Just the Number
It’s tempting to go with the lowest quote. But before you do, ask:
- What materials are being used?
- Are cabinets pre-assembled or built by hand?
- What’s the finish quality?
- Is the design tailored or templated?
- Will the installation team adjust for real-world conditions?
Final Thoughts
Custom cabinets in Oregon can be a major investment—but also one of the most rewarding.
Done right, they elevate your home, simplify your routines, and add lasting value.
Whether you’re remodeling your forever home or planning a high-end flip, investing in quality cabinetry is a decision you won’t regret.
And if you’re looking for seamless craftsmanship, locally built quality, and cabinetry that looks like it belongs there—we’d love to talk.
