A useful whole-home cabinetry budget starts with the storage you need in each room. Two homes with the same floor area can have very different costs: one may need a kitchen and two wardrobes, while another includes a pantry, study, dining storage and an extensive display wall.
Meerkat Home's whole-home custom cabinetry minimum project spend is S$25,000. This is an engagement threshold, not a promise that every room in every home can be completed for that amount. The example below uses our reference cabinet rates to show how a budget is built.
An illustrative whole-home cabinet budget
Imagine a homeowner planning 3m of kitchen upper units, 3m of base units, 5m of full-height storage across selected rooms and a 1.5m study table. Using the quotation guide's estimating conversion of 3.3ft per metre:
| Item | Calculation | Reference subtotal |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen upper cabinets | 3 × 3.3 × S$275 | S$2,722.50 |
| Kitchen base cabinets | 3 × 3.3 × S$275 | S$2,722.50 |
| Full-height storage, up to 2.7m | 5 × 3.3 × S$549 | S$9,058.50 |
| Study table | 1.5 × 3.3 × S$275 | S$1,361.25 |
| Cabinetry illustration | S$15,864.75 |
This is a hypothetical calculation, not a completed client's bill, market average or all-inclusive package. Confirm current rates and GST treatment. Countertops, selected upgrades and any delivery, installation or site-work charges not included in the agreed scope need to be accounted for separately.
Give every room a job before assigning a budget
In the kitchen, list cookware, appliances and pantry items. In bedrooms, count hanging clothes and decide where folded items belong. At the entrance, measure the shoes and bags you actually use. A study may need cable access more than another decorative shelf. This room-by-room exercise helps prevent paying for cabinets that look useful but do not solve a storage problem.
For an HDB BTO or condo, mark door swings, windows, air-conditioning access and existing service points on the plan. The cabinet layout must work alongside these constraints. Do not use the number of bedrooms alone to predict the price.
Separate essentials from optional features
Keep the required cabinet bodies, functional doors and everyday storage in the core scope. Price glass displays, specialist organisers, decorative panels and integrated lighting as options. That makes it easier to reduce cost without repeatedly redesigning the entire home.
Our reference guide prices wall panels at S$30 per square foot, with panels, joints and installation stated in that wall-panel scope. This area-based rate must not be mixed with cabinet foot-run pricing. Special finishes and unusual details need their own quotation.
How to keep the total under control
- Ask for a room-by-room subtotal and one consolidated total.
- Use the same finish where continuity matters and vary it deliberately where it adds value.
- Approve drawer quantities and accessories before production.
- Record design changes with their price and schedule impact.
- Keep other renovation trades visible in your overall household budget.
Frequently asked questions
Does whole-home cabinetry include a complete renovation?
Only the items stated in the contract are included. Cabinetry does not automatically cover flooring, plumbing, electrical work or appliances.
Can I use this example for a 4-room HDB?
Use the method, not the assumed quantities. Measure your own cabinet runs and specify your own storage needs before requesting a project total.
Plan your cabinetry with Meerkat Home
Explore our kitchen cabinetry, wardrobe systems and design process. Send your floor plan to our team on WhatsApp to discuss your requirements and an itemised quotation.
Related reading: Custom cabinet pricing guide
