You’re pricing a large commercial project, but every quote is different. You worry that choosing the low-cost option will lead to failures and repairs, while the high-end quotes will destroy your budget.

The cost of commercial cabinets depends entirely on their use. A simple office storage unit might cost $150 from a factory, while a high-traffic hotel reception cabinet can easily exceed $1,000 due to superior materials, construction, and finishes designed for durability.

As someone who has managed countless commercial export projects from Foshan, I know this challenge well. Buyers like Jacky aren’t just buying a box; they’re sourcing a solution for a specific commercial environment. A cheap cabinet that fails in a high-use area is a project disaster waiting to happen. The final price tag isn’t just about the cabinet; it’s about its purpose, its durability, and the total cost of ownership. Let’s break down the real costs for different commercial scenarios to give you a clearer picture.

How much does commercial cabinetry cost?

You need to create a budget for commercial cabinetry, but the term is too broad. The needs of a simple breakroom are completely different from a luxury retail display, making pricing seem impossible.

Commercial cabinetry costs are driven by durability and volume. Expect factory prices from $150 for a basic laminate storage unit to over $1,000 for a custom, high-endurance retail fixture. The price reflects materials, hardware, and engineering built for heavy public use.

Unlike residential cabinets, commercial cabinetry is all about the specific application. A cabinet for a back-office file room has very different requirements than one for a hotel lobby. I’ve quoted projects where cabinets within the same building had a 200% price difference. Here’s why:

• Use Frequency & Durability¹: A school locker or restaurant POS station gets used hundreds of times a day. We build these with thicker panels (e.g., 18mm plywood instead of 16mm MDF), reinforced joinery, and heavy-duty hardware rated for high cycles. This adds to the cost upfront but prevents costly failures down the line.
• Material Specifications²: Public spaces often have strict fire codes and accessibility regulations. This may require using fire-retardant panels or specific low-VOC finishes, which are more expensive than standard materials.
• Volume & Customization: For a large apartment project, we might produce 500 identical kitchenettes. The per-unit cost is lower due to economies of scale. For a boutique hotel, every public area piece might be unique, requiring individual design and machine setup, which increases the price. On large, complex jobs, the pricing model often shifts from "per piece" to "per square meter."

How much does a full commercial kitchen cost?

You’re outfitting a restaurant or hotel kitchen, and the costs are overwhelming. You’re not buying just cabinets; you need equipment, workflow efficiency, and legal compliance, and the budget is spiraling out of control.

A full commercial kitchen can cost anywhere from $25,000 for a small café to over $250,000 for a large hotel. Cabinetry is one part, but the main cost drivers are stainless steel fabrication, appliances, and MEP systems.

This question goes far beyond standard cabinetry. When a client asks me to source a "full commercial kitchen," we’re talking about a complex, integrated system where wood or laminate cabinets play a smaller role. The majority of the cost is in specialized components.

• Stainless Steel[^13]: The backbone of any commercial kitchen is stainless steel. This includes worktables, prep stations, multi-compartment sinks, and wall cladding. The grade of stainless steel (e.g., 304 vs. 430) and the complexity of the fabrication heavily influence the price.
• Appliances: Commercial-grade ranges, ovens, fryers, and refrigerators are built for continuous, high-intensity use and are far more expensive than their residential counterparts.
• Ventilation & Fire Suppression³: A commercial hood and fire suppression system is a mandatory, high-cost item that requires professional design and installation to meet local codes.
• Plumbing & Electrical: The infrastructure to support all the equipment is a significant project cost.

In this context, the "cabinets" are often integrated stainless steel units. When sourcing a project like this from China, the key is working with a supplier who understands these regulations and can consolidate the procurement of all these different elements.

How much do high end kitchen cabinets cost?

You’re working on a luxury residential or hospitality project where quality is non-negotiable. You need to understand the factors that drive the price of premium cabinets to justify the investment to your client.

High-end kitchen cabinets from a quality Chinese factory typically start at $300 per linear foot and can exceed $600. The cost is driven by premium materials, complex finishes, imported hardware, and intricate custom designs.

When a project demands a luxury look and feel, we move into a different category of materials and craftsmanship. This is where I see the biggest price variations. For a recent luxury hotel project, we quoted two options for their suites. The standard option was high-quality, but the premium option was nearly double the price. Here’s what makes a cabinet "high-end⁴":

• Core Materials: We use furniture-grade plywood or solid wood frames instead of MDF. A solid wood door (like oak or walnut) costs significantly more than a standard lacquered HDF door.
• Finishes: A premium finish⁵ involves multiple layers. A high-gloss piano lacquer, for example, requires over a dozen steps of sanding, painting, and polishing to achieve a flawless, mirror-like surface. This labor-intensive process is a major cost driver.
• Hardware: In high-end⁴ kitchens, we exclusively use top-tier imported hardware from brands like Blum (Austria) or Hettich (Germany). Their advanced mechanisms for folding, lifting, and sliding doors provide a superior user experience and durability.
• Custom Features: Integrated LED lighting, custom-built internal organizers from solid wood, and perfectly bookmatched wood veneers are hallmarks of luxury cabinetry that require skilled artisans and add to the final cost.

How much do built in office cabinets cost?

You’re outfitting an office space and need functional, durable storage. You have to balance a professional aesthetic with a tight budget and need to know the most cost-effective way to get it done.

Built-in office cabinets from a factory in China can range from $150 per cabinet for a basic melamine storage unit to over $500 for a custom executive office credenza with premium finishes and security features.

Built-in office cabinetry⁶is all about finding the sweet spot between aesthetics, function, and cost. Unlike a high-end kitchen, most office projects prioritize value and durability over intricate design. For a large office fit-out I worked on, we produced hundreds of storage units. The price per unit was kept low by standardizing the design.

Here’s a typical cost breakdown for office cabinets:

• General Storage: For breakrooms, copy rooms, and storage closets, the most common choice is a simple cabinet made from melamine or laminate-faced particleboard. These are durable, easy to clean, and highly cost-effective, typically priced around $150-$250 per unit.
• Workstation Storage: Personal storage units like pedestals or overhead cabinets often need to match the desk systems. They might use slightly better materials and hardware, putting them in the $200-$350 range.
• Executive & Reception Areas: For client-facing areas, the quality goes up. These cabinets might use wood veneer, high-quality lacquer finishes, integrated locks, and a more sophisticated design. Expect to pay $500 or more for these pieces.

The key to saving money on office projects is bulk ordering and design standardization. As a buyer, providing a clear schedule of required units allows a factory like mine to optimize production and offer the best possible price.

Conclusion

Commercial cabinet pricing is a direct reflection of its intended use. Instead of focusing on a single low price, focus on finding a manufacturing partner who helps you optimize materials and construction for your project’s specific needs.