Kitchen Cabinet Installation Cost in 2026: Chicago Suburbs

What the $2,200 to $4,800 covers

This range is for labor only. It assumes you already bought the cabinets and they are in the house. The pro finds the studs, marks a level line, and hangs the upper cabinets first. The base cabinets go in next. Each one is shimmed so the countertop will sit flat. Filler strips close the gaps at the walls, and the doors and drawers get adjusted so the gaps line up.

A 10 by 10 kitchen is a common way to size a kitchen. It means two walls, each about 10 feet long, in an L shape. If your kitchen is bigger or has more cabinets, the price goes up with it. If it is a small galley with a few cabinets, it can come in near the low end.

These are typical local ranges for DeKalb County, the Fox Valley, and the northwest suburbs. They are not quotes. The pro who calls you back gives you their own price after they see the job.

Cost by kitchen size and setup

The last row goes past the top of the range because the kitchen is bigger than the one the range is built on. An island is its own job. Installing a kitchen island usually adds $500 to $1,400 in labor for building it and anchoring it to the floor.

What changes the price

• Flat pack or assembled. Cabinets that come in flat boxes have to be built before they can be hung. That can add a full day.
• Old cabinets. Taking out old cabinets and patching the wall behind them adds time. If yours are already out, say so.
• Walls and floors. Older homes rarely have straight walls or level floors. More shimming and trimming means more hours.
• Trim work. Crown molding, light rail, and scribe molding are cut and fit by hand.
• The count of cabinets. The price follows the number of boxes more than the square feet of the room.
• Moving the sink, stove, or dishwasher. If water lines move, that part needs a licensed plumber and is priced on its own.

What is not in the price

The cabinets themselves are not included. Neither is the countertop, the backsplash, or any plumbing or electrical work. Here are typical local labor ranges for the jobs that often come right after the cabinets go in.

You can read more on the countertop installation and backsplash tile pages. In Illinois, plumbing work you hire out must be done by a licensed plumber. Ask who will hook up the dishwasher and any new water lines, and whether that person holds a plumbing license.

What to have ready

A pro can give you a better price on the first call when you have a few things on hand. Gather these before you reach out.

• Your cabinet plan or the layout drawing from the store
• Photos of each kitchen wall, with the old cabinets in place or already out
• Whether the cabinets are built or still in boxes
• Whether you want the pro to take out and haul away the old cabinets
• Where the water shutoff is under the sink
• The date the cabinets will arrive, if they are not here yet

What to ask the pro

• Is building flat pack cabinets part of your price, or extra?
• Will you remove and haul away the old cabinets?
• Who handles the plumbing and electrical parts, and are they licensed?
• How many days will the kitchen be out of use?
• What happens if you find water damage or a bad wall behind the old cabinets?
• Will I get the total cost in a written contract before you start?

A good pro will not mind any of these questions. Clear answers up front are a good sign the job will go smoothly.

Next step

The Install kitchen cabinets page shows what the job involves, how long it takes, and what the pro will ask you. When you are ready, send a request with your layout and a few photos. One vetted local pro calls you back and gives you their own price. You pay the pro directly. You never pay this site.