How Much Do Custom Kitchen Cabinets Cost in Brisbane?
Updated 2026 — by C & R Cabinets, Brisbane
One of the most common questions we get is: "what is this going to cost?" It's a fair question, and while every kitchen is different, this guide gives you an honest, practical answer based on 30 years of building and installing custom cabinetry across Brisbane.
Typical Price Ranges
The figures below are for cabinetry supply and installation only. Benchtops, appliances, plumbing, and electrical are typically quoted and invoiced separately.
Small kitchen
Up to 5 lineal metres — galley or single-wall layout
$12,000 – $20,000
Melamine finish, standard hardware, laminate benchtop
Medium kitchen
5–8 lineal metres — L-shape or U-shape
$20,000 – $35,000
Melamine or 2Pac, soft-close hardware, stone benchtop coordination
Large or premium kitchen
8+ lineal metres or island bench included
$35,000 – $60,000+
2Pac finish, full-extension drawer systems, premium stone, integrated panels
* Indicative Brisbane pricing only. Actual cost depends on your specific requirements — contact us for a detailed quote.
What Affects the Cost?
Size of the kitchen
The single biggest driver is how many lineal metres of cabinetry you need. More cabinetry = more materials, more fabrication time, and more installation time. An island bench adds significant cost both in cabinetry and benchtop material.
Door and panel finish
Melamine is the most cost-effective option — durable, available in many colours and wood grains, and used on vertical surfaces. 2Pac polyurethane is a premium sprayed paint finish with a hard, smooth result in any colour, typically adding 30–50% to cost — though fancier profiles and colours can climb higher, sometimes overtaking timber veneer. Timber veneer — real wood applied to engineered board — offers a warm natural aesthetic at roughly 30–40% more than melamine.
Hardware quality
Soft-close hinges and full-extension drawer runners (also soft-close) are now considered standard for quality cabinetry — and we include them by default. Upgraded internal fittings such as pull-out pantry systems, magic corner units, or bin inserts add cost but improve daily usability.
Benchtop material
Laminate benchtops are the most affordable option and are installed on the same day as cabinetry. Stone (engineered or natural) requires a separate templating visit and installation, typically adding $3,000–$8,000 to the project depending on size and material.
Kitchen layout complexity
A straight galley kitchen is the simplest to build and install. L-shapes, U-shapes, and peninsulas add complexity. Kitchens with non-standard ceiling heights, angles, or structural posts require additional design and fabrication work.
Melamine, 2Pac & Timber Veneer: Which Should You Choose?
Melamine
Advantages
- Most affordable option
- Wide colour and texture range
- Wood grain options available
- Consistent finish — easy to spec
Considerations
- Less premium than 2Pac
- Cannot be used on horizontal surfaces
- Harder to touch up chips
2Pac
Advantages
- Smooth, high-quality painted finish
- Any colour, multiple door profiles
- Easier to touch up
- Premium aesthetic
Considerations
- 30–50%+ more expensive
- Fancy profiles/colours cost more still
- Longer lead time for custom colours
- Can show fingerprints on gloss
Timber Veneer
Advantages
- Natural wood aesthetic
- Warm, organic look
- Mid-range price point
- Works beautifully with stone
Considerations
- 30–40% more expensive than melamine
- More limited colour range
- Can show wear over time
- Not suited to all contemporary styles
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do custom kitchen cabinets cost in Brisbane?
Custom kitchen cabinets in Brisbane typically range from $12,000–$20,000 for a small kitchen with melamine finish, $20,000–$35,000 for a medium kitchen, and $35,000–$60,000+ for a large or premium kitchen with 2Pac doors and stone benchtops. These figures are for supply and installation of cabinetry only — benchtops and appliances are typically quoted separately.
What affects the cost of kitchen cabinets?
The main cost factors are: kitchen size (lineal metres of cabinetry), door and panel finish (melamine is most affordable, 2Pac is premium), benchtop material (laminate vs stone), hardware quality (hinges, drawer runners, handles), internal fittings (pull-out pantries, soft-close systems), and installation complexity.
What is the difference between melamine and 2Pac kitchen cabinets?
Melamine is a paper-foil finish applied to engineered board. It's durable, affordable, available in many colours and wood grains, and is used on vertical surfaces only. 2Pac (polyurethane) is a sprayed paint finish giving a smooth, hard, high-quality result in any colour with various door profiles. 2Pac typically costs 30–50% more than melamine, and fancier profiles or colours can push it higher still — sometimes overtaking timber veneer.
Are stone benchtops included in kitchen cabinet quotes?
Usually not — cabinetry and benchtops are quoted separately. Stone benchtops for an average Brisbane kitchen typically add $3,000–$8,000 depending on the stone type, thickness, edge profile, and total square meterage. We coordinate stone installation through our supplier network.
Is custom cabinetry worth the extra cost over flatpack?
For most homeowners, yes — especially in non-standard kitchens. Custom cabinetry is built to your exact measurements, uses higher-grade board and hardware, and is installed by the manufacturer. Flatpack can save money on a standard-sized renovation but often results in visible gaps, reduced quality, and greater installation effort. Our flatpack option offers a middle ground: same quality materials, cut to order, self-assembled.