Cost Of Box Joint And Dovetail Drawer Boxes In Edmonton
Discover the starting prices for dovetail and box joint drawer boxes in Edmonton and understand what drives their cost up or down.
If you’ve ever tried to price out drawer boxes for a project in Edmonton, you know how little information is available online. You might spend half an hour searching, only to come up empty-handed or guessing at numbers. That lack of clarity can put you in a tough spot. Without accurate pricing, you risk quoting too low and cutting into your profits, or too high and losing work altogether.
At Cutting Edge, we’ve seen this problem firsthand. In the past year alone, our team built more than 3,600 drawer boxes. We understand how pricing works, why it changes, and what you should look for when estimating.
In this article, you’ll learn what box joint and dovetail drawers cost in Edmonton, along with the main factors that raise or lower the price.
Two Main Types Of Drawer Boxes For Edmonton Cabinet Makers
Most of the time, your drawer box choice comes down to dovetail or box joint construction. Both are strong, but they serve slightly different purposes.
Dovetail drawers are often the premium choice. They’re strong, dependable, and instantly recognizable to homeowners who value craftsmanship. Contractors use dovetail drawer boxes to elevate the finished product.
Box joint drawers, by comparison, are more cost-effective while still durable. They have a clean, modern look that works especially well in contemporary kitchen designs.
Although we don’t manufacture locally in Edmonton, we ship drawer boxes directly to cabinet makers and contractors in the city. That means you can focus on installing and finishing your projects without the added stress of making drawer boxes.
Standard Dovetail Drawer Boxes In Edmonton Cost $75+
In Edmonton, the starting price for a dovetail drawer box is about $75. This number is based on an average-sized drawer box measuring 16 inches wide, 21 1/16 inches long and 8 3/16 inches deep.
At this entry level, the standard dovetail box includes:
- Hard Maple sides joined with dovetail construction
- ⅜-inch prefinished birch plywood base
- Notched front and back for Blum Movento slides
- Unfinished sides
From there, the cost goes up as you make changes. Larger drawers, thicker bases, finishing, or premium wood species all add to the price. The standard option is a straightforward starting point, while upgrades give you flexibility to meet the expectations of clients who want something more customized.
Standard Box Joint Drawer Boxes In Edmonton Cost $64+
For box joint drawer boxes in Edmonton, the starting point is lower, around $64. Like dovetails, this is also based on the average size of 16 inches wide, 21 1/16 inches long, and 8 3/16 inches deep.
The standard box joint build includes:
- Hard Maple sides joined with box joint construction
- ⅜-inch prefinished birch plywood base
- Notches front and back for Blum Movento slides
- Unfinished sides
As with dovetails, the price increases as you add size, finishing, or upgraded materials. The standard build provides a cost-effective and reliable option, while upgrades offer a more polished product when the job calls for it.
What Affects The Cost Of Drawer Boxes In Edmonton?
Although standards offer a clear starting point, several factors raise the cost. Understanding these will help you explain pricing to your clients and protect your bottom line.
How the Wood Type Affects the Cost of Drawer Boxes
The wood you choose has a major impact on cost. Birch plywood is one of the most affordable and consistent options, making it a popular choice for standard builds. Maple and Birch, while stronger and more visually appealing, come at a higher price. Premium or exotic species such as Walnut or White Oak raise the cost even further. The right choice depends on your client’s expectations for quality, durability, and overall aesthetic.
Why the Size of Drawer Boxes Impacts Their Price
The size of a drawer box directly influences the price. A larger drawer requires more material, more cutting, and more assembly time, contributing to higher costs. For instance, tall pantry drawers are significantly more expensive than shallow bathroom vanity drawers. Even a small increase in width or depth can add to the price.
How the Base Thickness and Material Change Drawer Box Pricing
The drawer base is another key factor in pricing. A ⅜-inch birch plywood base is the standard option, balancing durability and cost. However, thicker bases provide additional strength. However, thicker bases provide additional strength, especially for heavy-use drawers in kitchens or commercial spaces. That added durability comes at a premium. If your project involves storing heavy cookware or tools, it’s worth considering a stronger base, even though it increases the price.
How Finishing Affects The Cost Of Drawer Boxes
By default, drawer box sides are left unfinished to keep costs as low as possible. Adding a clear coat, stain, or paint-grade finish increases the price because it requires more materials and extra production steps. Finishing can be worth the expense if your team doesn’t have the time to finish the drawers in-house.
How Custom Features Increase the Price of Drawer Boxes
Custom details make a drawer box stand out, but they also add cost. Features like scooped fronts, U-shaped designs for plumbing cutouts, unique joinery, or non-standard notching require extra precision and labour. While these details can elevate a project and meet unique client requests, they increase the time and complexity of production. It’s often a trade-off between creating a unique design and maintaining a tighter budget.
Why Rush Orders Make Drawer Boxes More Expensive
Finally, timing can be just as important as materials. When you need drawer boxes quickly, rush orders are available – for a price. To meet these deadlines, manufacturers often need to rearrange schedules or dedicate overtime, which adds to the cost. While rush orders can save you in an emergency, planning ahead is the best way to avoid unnecessary costs and keep your projects running smoothly.
Ways To Save On The Cost Of Drawer Boxes
Drawer boxes don’t have many cost-cutting opportunities, but volume does help.
If your order subtotal is over $10,000, we apply a 10% discount. If your subtotal is over $1,000, we cover most of the shipping. For busy contractors, these savings can add up over time, especially when you’re ordering for multiple kitchens or large-scale projects.
At the end of the day, knowing your baseline and understanding what affects price gives you the clarity you need to quote jobs accurately and keep your projects profitable.
Learn How To Price Out Drawer Boxes Online
For too long, finding drawer box prices in Edmonton has been difficult. You’ve had to guess, call around, or piece together estimates. Now you have a clear baseline for both dovetail and box joint drawers, and an understanding of what drives costs up or down.
At Cutting Edge, we know how stressful it feels when unclear pricing threatens your bids and reputation. That’s why we share this information openly, helping you to plan and quote more accurately. If you’re ready to stop guessing, your next step is simple: learn how to price out drawer boxes online with Cutting Edge today.
