Most makers of engineered wood kitchen cabinets quote by the linear meter. It makes quotes easy to compare, but each company measures and counts a little differently, so the same kitchen can get two quite different figures. This article explains how we calculate it, so you can make your own estimate before asking for a quote.
How linear meters are measured
A linear meter is the length of a run of cabinets, measured along the wall. Base and wall cabinets are priced separately because they differ in depth and in the amount of board they use.
- Base cabinets: measure the length of the run standing on the floor. The unit price applies to cabinets up to 600 mm deep.
- Wall cabinets: measure the length of the hanging run. The unit price applies to cabinets up to 400 mm deep. Sections without wall cabinets, such as over a window, are not counted.
- L-shaped and U-shaped kitchens: each run is measured along its wall, and the corner where two runs meet is counted only once.
- Kitchen islands: priced per linear meter at the same unit price as base cabinets.
- Tall units, for example for an oven or an integrated fridge: priced per square meter of front area, like wardrobes.
Price ranges by board type
The unit price depends first of all on the board type. The table below shows our reference price ranges in million VND per linear meter, excluding VAT.
| Item | Unit | Standard MDF | Moisture-resistant MDF | Moisture-resistant MDF, painted doors | An Cường MDF | An Cường moisture-resistant MDF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base kitchen cabinets | linear meter | 2.17 – 2.86 | 2.43 – 3.20 | 2.64 – 3.47 | 2.79 – 3.68 | 3.00 – 3.95 |
| Wall kitchen cabinets | linear meter | 1.69 – 2.50 | 1.87 – 2.76 | 2.04 – 3.02 | 2.13 – 3.16 | 2.40 – 3.55 |
Kitchens have steam, and water easily reaches the cabinet bases and the area around the sink, so we recommend moisture-resistant board here. The differences between board types are explained in the article Standard MDF, moisture-resistant MDF and An Cường MDF.
What the unit price does not include
- Stone countertops and glass splashbacks.
- Appliances: hob, cooker hood, sink, tap, oven, dishwasher.
- Special fittings, such as pull-down dish racks, corner carousels and rice dispensers.
- Lighting inside the cabinets.
- VAT.
When comparing quotes from several companies, ask three things: whether wall and base cabinets are priced separately or together, how many times the corner is counted, and what is left out of the unit price.
Three examples
- Straight kitchen 3 m long with wall cabinets, An Cường moisture-resistant MDF: about 16.2 – 22.5 million VND. See the calculation
- L-shaped kitchen with runs of 3 m and 2 m, with wall cabinets, An Cường moisture-resistant MDF: about 24.3 – 33.9 million VND. See the calculation
- The same L-shaped kitchen in moisture-resistant MDF: about 19.3 – 27.0 million VND. See the calculation
You can change the dimensions and board type to match your kitchen on the Products and reference prices page. The figures there are reference price ranges; the formal quotation is sent after a site survey, measuring and agreement on the drawings.
