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Discussion Forum

Kitchen Cabinet Install Prices

MSA1 | Posted in General Discussion on November 21, 2005 12:17pm

I know we’ve been through this before, but what are you charging for kitchen cabinet installs? I’ve been charging $60/ unit and have never been questioned.

Lately i’ve been working occasionally for a fire/water damage specialist and he says my price is a little high.

I’m in the Detroit area. Am I indeed a little high or is he trying to hose me?

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  1. FastEddie | Nov 21, 2005 12:38am | #1

    If he cuts off your work because you're a little high, lower it a little  for him.  If's he's just commenting, leave the price where it is and mention the quality of the work and the lack of callbacks.

     

     

    "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

  2. calvin | Nov 21, 2005 02:07am | #2

    Just south of you I figure 45 a box, fill, panel, skin, space for appls., micro, no counter, knobs or handles, or crown/lightrail.  Includes kick cover.  I handle the entire remodel, supply the subcontractors, etc. 

    Everyone has an opinion on value.  If it affects you getting the job, your business to think about adjustment. 

    A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

    Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

    Quittin' Time

     

    1. tashler | Nov 21, 2005 03:02am | #3

      I'm just starting on my own, but I thought I would charge by the running foot for the cabinets only.I would think that charging by the box screws you when it comes to 36" boxes vs. 15", or full height boxes, or 42" uppers.I'm entertaining the idea of $100 per foot, uppers and lowers.

      Edited 11/20/2005 7:08 pm ET by Tashler

      1. calvin | Nov 21, 2005 03:24am | #4

        Here's the story as I know it.  However you figure it, make it work for you.  And make it simple, so when the goofballs want a ballpark, you can come up with one that won't screw you later.  I don't specialize in anything so take what I say with a grain of salt.  The only thing I've got going for myself is a good business on referal only that's taken over 30 yrs of my time.

        Using your figures, you have now made the bigtime.  I would have maybe 7/800 on the install of a 12 ft run of sinkbase/windowwall cabs.  You would be at 1200.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

        Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        Quittin' Time

         

    2. MSA1 | Nov 21, 2005 03:59am | #5

      You sound like me Cal. Normally I run the whole job too, but my drywall guy turned me on to these guys and they keep me busy when i'm slow. Its really not a bad deal.

      I can afford to come down a little, I guess I just wanted to find out where I stood amongst some of you guys.

      I still dont think i'm too high as my customers are taken are of and I dont disappear when the jobs done. Actually sounds like you get more than I do loking at some of the things you charge $45 for. Guess I always forget filler and knobs. Counters are also not included in my cost.

      1. calvin | Nov 21, 2005 04:14am | #7

        The fills are a time consumer (can be a time consumer).  So are the spaces that the DW, range and sometimes the Reefer go in (not so much time, but importance.  Ref. panels, end panels when the DW is end of run.  Valance.  Adjusting all the doors and drawer fronts is part of that install price.  All things that are pcs I figure at box cost.  In the end it seems to come up to my required rate for the labor expended. 

        Knobs I figure at a buck and a half, pulls at 2.  As you well know, a good kitchen install can be compromised with those little devils.  I've got a slew of templates rattling around in the van with cust. names on em.  Some are reusable w/o redrilling, others I tape over the previous install and lay them out again. 

        When you consider the possibility of a crushing blow ( #### up) and it's cost, you never charge way too much.

        Now, you'll get some info here from the wonderboys that install 10 kitchens a week.  I don't subscribe to that advice.  My remodels even when all goes like clockwork, are never that easy.

        If you have a Modern Bldrs Supply up there, check them out for cab supplying.  You get Cabella bucks with your purchase.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

        Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        Quittin' Time

         

        1. Mumda | Nov 21, 2005 05:23am | #10

          This is what I now use in place of my old "slew of templates". One of the most useful tools I've ever bought.http://www.mockett.com/default.asp?ID=4&action=detail&partCode=DG1

          1. calvin | Nov 21, 2005 05:30am | #11

            Those devils have it priced right up to the point where a person wouldn't even consider it.................at least one like myself that may have a half dozen kitchens one year and none the next.  The idea is brilliant and with your testimonial, probably a worthwhile purchase.  I see it's benefit mostly on drawer fronts (along with the other possibilities) as those were the most non worthwhile to template.  All the diff. sizes and configs made those a measurement job for me most of the time.

            Thank you for pointing it out.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

            Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

            Quittin' Time

             

          2. Mumda | Nov 21, 2005 03:14pm | #13

            Hehehe...you're right about the price, but we also build cabinets so we use it for hinge screw holes and sometimes adjustable shelf pin holes.

    3. BEVEL | Nov 21, 2005 04:33am | #8

      Calvin, just wanted to make sure I understood your response. Did you mean that your 45 a box INCLUDED fillers, panels, skins, & spaces? Or are each of these items considered a BOX?

      1. calvin | Nov 21, 2005 05:11am | #9

        Bevel,

        Each box, each fill, each space for an appliance, each end panel, each valance, each skin is 45.00.  The toe kick cover is included in the assembly at no addtl cost as is the door/drawer alignment.   All crown, light rail or other trim is figured separately as are the knobs and pulls. 

        I arrived at this method of figuring after taking the labor on several (lots) of kitchen installs and trying to come up with a way to estimate future jobs.  Running foot didn't work for me as some were lengthy lowers, minimal uppers.  Others had several specials, numerous narrow cabs.  Guessing time it took wasn't the answer either.  This method seemed to best take care of all the various shapes and configurations I was running into. 

        Of course, there's the various "specials" that come up every so often.  Islands are a good example.  There's electric/plumbing and floor mounting to contend with.  Throw in a couple toe kick heaters or registers and there's more time.  Add those face frame fancy things and you've got more man minutes to account for.  I take the base cost of all the pcs parts and then add for the specials.

        But I emphasize again, what works for you is the method you should use.  We aren't here to lose money, nor if you're like me, to make it for doing nothing.  A fair wage and a good job is worth something and this is what I use to arrive at it.

         A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

        Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        Quittin' Time

         

  3. Mumda | Nov 21, 2005 04:11am | #6

    I sub as an installer for a kitchen shop in Brighton. He charges $45 per box, I get $30 per box from him.

    A panel is considered a box. Sink basin is two boxes because of the extra cutting. Each cut for a crown molding corner is half a box, etc.

  4. robteed | Nov 21, 2005 07:38am | #12

    Im in Lansing and charge $45 box to remove,$45 to install. Extra for
    knobs,trim,setting sink.etc. I think for Detroit your in the ballpark.
    Rob Teed
    Dream Builders

    1. Mumda | Nov 21, 2005 03:17pm | #14

      Well, here we go; the three of us have Wayne, Livingston and Ingham counties covered, now let's join forces and own Oakland where all the fat work is!

      1. calvin | Nov 21, 2005 03:22pm | #15

        Well, you certainly have the granite supply up there.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

        Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        Quittin' Time

         

        1. Mumda | Nov 21, 2005 04:47pm | #16

          Granite is well liked there and Brighton. I was in a new house last week where they had granite even for the laundry room and the kids upstairs double sink vanity! Hahaha, but they went with all MDF trim to save some $$...morons!

          1. calvin | Nov 22, 2005 02:21am | #17

            I know what you mean.  I'm finishing up anothers job............that bites from the get-go..............and they have granite ordered for the laundry counter with drop in c.i. laundry sink.  Counter must be an 8x5 "L".  And then I hear..........

            Oh well..........A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

            Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

            Quittin' Time

             

          2. User avater
            G80104 | Nov 22, 2005 07:06am | #18

              You guys kill me with the $45 a box deal! Here is my latest side job. 18 cabs, had to raise 1 1/2" off the floor (thats what the customer wanted). 6" toe kick, 1 end skin, had to custom cut & rebuild the end cabinet ( to large to fit through any door or window) ,1 filler, some simple crown & the rough top for the stone that will be the counter.

               9 hrs so far (past Saturday) with the help from my 17 year old son, need to go back & run the crown, install shelfs & adjust doors & draws. 3 more hrs including drive time. $750-$800 tops.

              Cabs were under $5100 & other materials for counter top rough about $150.

               We do report to the IRS & carry 1 mill in lib. ins. 

            Guess were leaving money on the table!

          3. User avater
            basswood | Nov 22, 2005 04:31pm | #20

            The HD I install for charges customers $70-80/ box for cab installs. I get paid $45/ box. When I bid my own projects I charge $50/box. If big box stores can charge close to twice the $45/ box price...I'm sure you could charge a bit more.

          4. DanT | Nov 22, 2005 02:22pm | #19

            We do 2 kitchens a year but have done 4 this year.  We charge 50 a box or appliance space.  This includes mounting hardware, toe kick, running simple top trim and I don't charge for spacers.

            We typically do the whole job with no subs but on a few sub the floor work as a time saver.  We also on most supply the material and I mark cabinets up 15 to 20%  and most other items 25.  A typical kitchen we will net not including labor 8-10k.  They generally take 2 weeks.  DanT

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