Cabinets are the single largest cost in most Canadian kitchen renovations — typically 30–40% of the total budget. The choice between stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets determines both your cost and your design flexibility. This guide helps you choose the right option for your budget and goals.
| Category | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stock cabinets | $3,000–$8,000 | Pre-built, standard sizes (3" increments). Available immediately from IKEA, Home Depot (Hampton Bay), and Rona. Limited in size options and style but dramatically cheaper. IKEA SEKTION is the most popular value option in Canada. |
| Semi-custom cabinets | $8,000–$22,000 | Built to order in a wider range of sizes and finishes. Lead time 4–8 weeks. Brands available in Canada: Aristokraft, Fabuwood, Wolf Designer, Cabico. The best value-to-quality sweet spot for most homeowners. |
| Custom cabinets | $18,000–$45,000+ | Built to exact specifications by a local cabinet shop. Maximum design flexibility. Lead time 8–16 weeks. Best for unusual layouts, high ceilings, or specific design requirements. |
| Cabinet hardware | $300–$2,500 | Don't cheap out on hardware — handles and hinges are touched hundreds of times per day. Blum and Grass soft-close hinges are worth the premium. |
| Crown moulding and filler pieces | $400–$2,000 | Often forgotten in initial quotes. Measure your ceiling height and confirm whether crown moulding and fillers are included in the quote. |
| Installation labour | $1,500–$5,000 | Typically included in contractor quotes but confirm. IKEA cabinets require IKEA-specific installers — not all general contractors are comfortable installing them. |
Plywood cabinet boxes are more durable, hold screws better, and resist moisture. Particleboard (MDF) boxes are cheaper but swell with moisture. For Canadian kitchens near dishwashers and sinks, plywood boxes are worth the premium.
Shaker doors are the most popular and resale-friendly in Canada. High-gloss finishes show fingerprints and are harder to repair. Painted finishes chip more easily than thermofoil or stained wood.
Semi-custom cabinets have 4–8 week lead times; custom can be 8–16 weeks. Order cabinets the day your permit is approved — not when demolition starts.
IKEA SEKTION is genuinely competitive at the value end. Plywood boxes, good hardware options, and strong availability. The compromise is the limited size increments and less support from general contractors.
Yes, for many homeowners. IKEA SEKTION has plywood boxes, good soft-close hardware, and is available immediately. The main compromises are limited customization, 3" size increments, and that not all contractors want to install them. For a value kitchen renovation, IKEA is hard to beat.
Quality semi-custom or custom kitchen cabinets last 20–30+ years with normal use. The finish (paint, veneer) may show wear before the boxes do, especially near the stove and dishwasher. IKEA cabinets typically last 15–20 years.
White and off-white remain the most popular for resale value. Two-tone kitchens (white uppers, dark lower cabinets) have been trending since 2019. Navy and forest green lowers are popular in premium renovations.
Not required but recommended for anything beyond a straight galley layout. Most semi-custom dealers include free design services. Kitchen designers charge $500–$2,000 for a standalone design plan — worth it for complex layouts.
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