How Much Do Custom Cabinet Doors In Canada Cost?
Wondering what custom cabinet doors cost in Canada? Learn average pricing, what affects it, and how to estimate your next job.
If you build or install cabinets, you know how important it is to quote jobs accurately. But it’s not easy to get a straight (and quick) answer when it comes to pricing custom cabinet doors. One supplier uses square footage. Another adds minimums. And sometimes, your quoted price doesn’t match the final invoice, leading to busted budgets, missed installation dates, and awkward conversations with your client. If you’re trying to build a reputation for quality and reliability, you can’t afford surprises like these.
At Cutting Edge, we’ve been manufacturing custom cabinet doors for Canadian contractors and cabinet shops for over 20 years. We produce thousands of doors each month. That’s why we know what drives pricing and how to make it simple and transparent.
In this article, you’ll learn:
By the end, you’ll understand how to estimate door costs before placing your order, helping you to quote more accurately, protect your margins, and keep your schedule on track.
Custom Cabinet Doors in Canada Cost At Least $20 Per Piece
Custom cabinet doors in Canada typically start around $20–$25 per door for basic styles. That’s your entry-level price for something like a raw MDF slab door. From there, the cost rises depending on material, finish, and size.
If you’re buying as a contractor with a supplier account, you’re likely getting 20–50% off retail prices. Here’s a quick look at what that looks like from Cutting Edge:
| Cabinet Door Type | Retail Price (per square foot) | Approximate Contractor Price (per square foot) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Piece MDF Shaker (Raw) | $22 | $18 |
| Shaker Style Doors (Maple) | $27 | $22 |
| NEXGEN (Karisma Collection) | $34 | $28 |
| Mitred Slim Shaker (Maple) | $36 | $29 |
| Solid Wood Raised Panel (Maple) | $51 | $42 |
| Slat Doors (Flat Cut White Oak) | $77 | $63 |
| Fluted Doors (Maple) | $144 | $118 |
| Chevron Doors (Walnut) | $198 | $162 |
Your actual cost will depend on your account level, door specs, finish type, and order volume.
How Are Custom Cabinet Doors in Canada Priced?
Pricing for custom cabinet doors in Canada follows a simple formula – but if no one explains it, it can feel confusing.
Most suppliers charge by the square foot, but they also include a minimum price per door. This pricing method ensures that even small doors, which still require setup and handling, are priced fairly.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Let’s say your supplier quotes you $18.50 per square foot, and their minimum price per door is $27.75 (1.5 square feet).
If you’re ordering a standard door that’s 18″ x 30″ (3.75 sq ft), the math would be:
3.75 × $18.50 = $69.38
That’s your cost.
But if your door is only 10″ x 10″ (which is just 0.7 sq ft), the cost based on square footage comes to $12.95. However, your supplier will charge the minimum price ($27.75) because the area is less than 1.5 square feet. This kind of pricing structure helps balance things out across all door sizes.
Some suppliers will offer discounts, reduce the square foot price, or waive the shipping fees if you’re ordering in bulk. That’s why it’s helpful to build a relationship with your supplier, especially if you’re ordering full kitchens or regular projects.
However, discounts aren’t the only thing that can change the pricing.
6 Factors That Affect The Cost Of Custom Cabinet Doors In Canada
When you’re quoting jobs, it helps to understand what drives the price up or keeps it down. Several factors change the cost of custom cabinet doors.
1. Material Type
The material or wood type you choose has the greatest impact on cost. MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is the most budget-friendly option, making it ideal for painted doors where the wood grain isn’t visible. It’s smooth, stable, and consistent, which makes finishing easier.
However, MDF isn’t right for luxury jobs. In those cases, you’re likely choosing wood doors for their natural beauty and premium feel. Maple and Red Oak are popular mid-range options, while Walnut and White Oak offer a high-end look but come with a higher price tag. Solid wood doors also cost more than plywood panel cabinet doors.
For painted jobs, MDF gives excellent results at a lower cost. Wood (specifically solid wood) provides a high-end look but increases your price.
2. Style Complexity
The style of door you choose impacts how much labour is involved, which has a direct effect on cost. Slab doors are the simplest and most affordable. Shaker doors, which have a frame and centre panel, take more time to assemble and finish. Raised panel or decorative doors require even more work, including additional cuts, profiling, and sanding.
If your project requires a custom or detailed look, be prepared to pay more. However, simpler styles save time and reduce your costs.
Flat slab and standard shaker doors are the most cost-effective styles. Raised panel and mitred doors are more decorative and more expensive.
3. Finish Type
Finish type is another variable that increases the cost. Raw, unfinished doors are the most affordable, but most projects require a finish, whether it’s a clear coat, stain, or paint. Clear finishes and stains add moderate cost, between $10 and $20 per square foot.
Painted doors require more work and multiple coats, especially if you’re after a smooth, flawless surface. Expect to pay even more if you’re looking at custom colours, multi-step finishes, or glazing.
The more labour required in the finishing process, the higher the cost.
Choose a standard stain or paint colour for a high-quality finish at a lower cost. Custom colours and glazing can add 20% to 50% to the price.
4. Order Size
The quantity of doors you order affects your price per piece. Suppliers don’t offer discounts for smaller orders because each batch still requires machine setup and quality checks. In fact, smaller orders might even cost more due to setup fees.
However, larger orders allow the supplier to spread those setup costs across more pieces, lowering your per-door price. Many suppliers offer volume discounts for large orders, although the definition of ‘large’ depends on the supplier.
If you’re working on multiple projects, combining orders can help you unlock better pricing.
Larger orders (even across multiple jobs) often qualify for volume discounts. The more doors you order, the lower your per-piece cost.
5. Rush Orders or Tight Deadlines
Fast-tracking your order usually increases the cost. Rushing the production of an order puts pressure on scheduling, adds overtime, and may require your supplier to bump other jobs. Because of that, most suppliers charge rush fees for orders that need to ship in less than a week. While standard options or raw doors may be easier to expedite, painted or detailed doors often can’t be rushed without sacrificing quality.
Plan as far ahead as possible, and confirm timelines before placing your order.
Avoid extra fees by giving your supplier as much lead time as possible. Rush charges can add 10% (or more) to your total cost.
6. Extras & Add-Ons
Add-ons improve the final product, but they come at a cost. Upgrades like hinge boring or special profiles require extra time and setup. Each additional step adds labour and materials, even if it seems small. On a large job, these extras can add hundreds to the total cost if applied to every piece.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them – just be strategic about when they’re needed.
Add-ons or upgrades like hinge boring and custom profiles offer great functionality and customizability, but can add up fast. Only use them when you truly need the time savings or appearance they offer.
Learn How To Price Out Canadian Custom Cabinet Doors Online
In the past, you might have felt like pricing cabinet doors was a guessing game. You’ve faced vague quotes, rushed estimates, or suppliers who couldn’t give you a straight answer. That uncertainty makes it harder to quote jobs accurately, control your budget, or finish projects on time.
Now, you understand exactly how custom cabinet door pricing works in Canada. You’ve seen how materials, style, finish, and volume affect your cost, and why square footage and minimum per-door charges matter. You’re no longer relying on rough guesses or hoping the final invoice lines up with your quote.
So what’s next? Learn how to price out your custom cabinet doors online – quickly, clearly, and confidently. When you have access to straightforward tools and transparent pricing, you can quote faster, protect your margins, and keep your install dates on track.
