“What are custom cabinets going to run me?” It’s the first question we hear on almost every consultation call, and it’s the right one. Nobody wants to fall in love with a kitchen design that’s twice their budget. The honest answer — the one big-box stores rarely give — depends on the wood you pick, the layout you have, and the finish you want. Here is what a fully installed custom cabinetry project actually costs in Tyler, Longview and the rest of East Texas in 2026, and how to budget for one without cutting corners on quality.
Every number below reflects real projects we’ve built out of our Whitehouse, TX shop this year for kitchens, bathrooms, closets, and outdoor spaces across the region. Pricing includes design, materials, hardware, finishing, delivery, and professional installation.
Custom Cabinet Pricing at a Glance
Custom cabinetry is priced by the linear foot of installed cabinet, not by the “box.” A linear foot is one foot of wall or peninsula covered by finished upper and lower cabinets. Here is what East Texas homeowners can expect in 2026:
| Cabinet Tier | Cost / Linear Ft. Installed | Typical 20-ft Kitchen Total | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Custom (paint-grade maple or birch, standard doors) | $450 – $650 | $9,000 – $13,000 | Rentals, secondary homes, budget kitchens that still need custom sizing |
| Mid-Range Custom (stain-grade red oak, hickory, or knotty alder) | $650 – $950 | $13,000 – $19,000 | Most family kitchens in Tyler, Whitehouse and Longview |
| Premium Custom (white oak, walnut, cherry, quarter-sawn or inset doors) | $950 – $1,400+ | $19,000 – $28,000+ | Signature kitchens, forever homes, historic remodels |
A whole-house project — kitchen, primary bath, laundry, a mudroom and a walk-in closet — typically lands between $35,000 and $75,000 in East Texas. That is a real range, not a sales pitch: the same house can cost either number depending on the choices below.
What Actually Drives the Price
Five things move the number more than anything else. Understanding them lets you spend where it matters and save where it doesn’t.
1. Wood species
Paint-grade poplar or maple is the most affordable path. Red oak and hickory sit in the middle. White oak, walnut and cherry are the top of the market. The gap between a birch kitchen and a walnut kitchen can be 40–60% for the same layout. Our wood species comparison walks through the trade-offs in more detail.
2. Door style and construction
A simple slab or Shaker door on a standard overlay frame is fastest to build. Inset doors — where the door sits flush inside the face frame — require tighter tolerances and add 15–25% to the box price. Raised-panel, mullion glass, and beaded inset doors add more. See our full breakdown of cabinet door styles.
3. Finish
A hand-rubbed stain is standard. A painted finish adds cost because paint requires more prep, more coats, and a controlled spray booth. A glazed, distressed or two-tone finish adds another step on top of that. Our comparison of painted vs. stained cabinets in East Texas covers the durability trade-offs, too.
4. Hardware, drawer boxes and interior fittings
Soft-close hinges and undermount full-extension drawer slides are standard on everything we build. Where the price moves is inside: dovetail drawer boxes, roll-out trays, spice pull-outs, trash pull-outs, plate racks, appliance garages, and interior lighting all add up. See our cabinet hardware guide for what’s worth the money and what isn’t.
5. Layout complexity
A straight run of cabinets on one wall is the cheapest to build and install. Add a corner, and the price climbs. Add a curved island, an angled peninsula, or a two-tier bar top and it climbs again. Ceiling-height uppers and stacked crown add another line item. Our post on kitchen island design shows where island cost usually lands.
A note on stock vs. semi-custom vs. custom. A stock kitchen from a big-box store can come in at $4,000–$7,000. That looks like a bargain until you realize you’re limited to 3-inch size increments, particleboard boxes, thin veneer doors, and a 5-year finish. Custom cabinets last 30–50+ years and are built to your exact wall. We break down the trade-offs in custom vs. stock vs. semi-custom.
Pricing by Room
Kitchens
The average East Texas kitchen we build in 2026 runs 18–24 linear feet of cabinet plus an island. Mid-range projects land between $16,000 and $24,000 installed. Full premium kitchens with an island, tall pantry and stacked uppers commonly reach $28,000–$45,000.
Bathrooms
A single vanity is $1,800–$4,500. A dual vanity with a linen tower is $4,500–$8,500. Primary bath suites with matching mirror cabinets and a makeup station typically run $8,000–$14,000. Our bathroom vanity storage guide shows what to build in.
Custom closets
A reach-in closet system in solid wood runs $1,200–$3,000. A walk-in closet with an island, shoe wall and drawer stack starts around $6,500 and can reach $18,000+ for a primary suite closet.
Home office and built-ins
A wall of built-in shelving with a desk return runs $4,500–$9,500. An entertainment center or media wall is typically $6,000–$16,000 depending on ceiling height and TV size.
Outdoor and commercial
Outdoor kitchen cabinetry in weather-rated materials starts around $12,000. Commercial cabinetry is quoted per project.
Should You Reface Instead?
If your existing boxes are in good shape and the layout works, refacing can save 30–50% versus a full replacement. But refacing keeps every existing size, corner and quirk. If the layout doesn’t work now, refacing won’t fix it. We walk through the decision in cabinet refacing vs. replacing.
How to Budget Without Cutting Quality
- Spend on the boxes, save on the trim. Solid-wood face frames and plywood boxes are non-negotiable. Crown moulding and glass mullion doors are places to trim.
- Pick one show wood, one working wood. A walnut island with painted perimeter cabinets looks intentional and costs less than a full walnut kitchen.
- Keep plumbing where it is. Moving a sink or dishwasher adds plumbing cost that has nothing to do with cabinetry.
- Plan for the whole house at once. Building your kitchen, bath and closet as one project usually saves 10–15% over three separate jobs.
- Ask for a real drawing before you commit. Our CAD design service is included with every consultation so you see the final layout before we cut a board.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a custom kitchen take from start to finish?
Most Lonestar Millworks kitchens are 8–12 weeks from signed proposal to final install. Bathrooms and closets are typically 4–6 weeks. See our full timeline breakdown.
Do you offer financing?
We work with several regional lenders and can provide referral options at your consultation. Most homeowners fold cabinetry into a larger home-improvement loan or HELOC.
Are quotes really free?
Yes. In-home design consultation, CAD drawings and a full written proposal are all complimentary. You pay nothing until you approve the design and sign the build agreement. Here is what to expect from the consultation itself.
What areas do you serve?
Our shop is in Whitehouse, TX and we build for homeowners across Tyler, Longview, Athens, Henderson, Jacksonville, Marshall, Mount Pleasant, Palestine, Sulphur Springs, Kilgore, Nacogdoches, Lufkin and Terrell.
Ready for a Real Number on Your Kitchen?
Every Lonestar Millworks project starts with a free in-home consultation and a full CAD drawing — so you see the design and the price before you commit.