What Is a Linear Foot Estimate?
What Is a Linear Foot Estimate?
When you’re dreaming up a custom cabinetry project, the first question is always, "How much will this cost?" You need a realistic answer, but you probably don't have every detail ironed out yet. That's where the Linear Foot Estimate comes in. It's an early-stage, data-informed pricing tool used across the industry to give you a solid, confident idea of your project's cost before you dive into the full, detailed design process.
Why Is the Linear Foot Estimate Used?
Because you need a reliable budget number now. As a homeowner, you are trying to determine how much you need to account for from your budget or on a construction loan. You might not know all of the exact details of the design yet, but you do need to start building a realistic budget to make confident decisions.
Most people approach a cabinet maker long before every detail is set. That's normal. The Linear Foot Estimate was developed to make the early stages easier. Before funding is finalized, or the contract is awarded, this free estimate gives you a clear, data-backed idea of what your project could cost. It helps you plan, budget, and dream with confidence so when the timing’s right, your next step is simple and your decisions are informed.
How Accurate Is This Estimate?
In the custom cabinetry world, this isn't a rough guess. Experienced cabinet shops have built their estimating tools based on the actual design and cost from hundreds of past jobs. Every home is different, but patterns tell the truth.
A cabinet maker will study past project data, measure your cabinet footage, and fine-tune the estimate for the biggest cost factors, such as:
Door Profile: (e.g., simple flat panel vs. applied molding).
Wood Species: (e.g., maple vs. premium walnut).
Custom Items: (e.g., built-in spice racks, knob/handles or specialty finishes).
The result? A number that’s grounded in experience and customized to your priorities. Honestly, it can be surprisingly accurate. If your initial description of the project scope reflects what you ultimately want in the final design, a good Linear Foot Estimate is typically within ±5% of the final price. That level of accuracy is why the industry relies on this initial process. They're not guessing—they're referencing real builds and smart variables that adapt to your unique needs.
The Next Step: Turning the Estimate into Reality
Once you're happy with your Linear Foot Estimate and ready to move forward, our process at Prestige Woodworks is simple and structured to align your vision with our production timeline.
Since every cabinet shop's process is different, here is how we handle the transition from initial estimate to detailed design:
Design Deposit: We require a 10% deposit to initiate the detailed design work. This secures your commitment to the project and allows us to dedicate our resources.
Detailed Design Process: Your project is immediately handed off to our design and project management team. We start creating detailed, shop-ready drawings specifically tailored to your space, style, and goals, finalizing material specifications and dimensions.
Secure Your Place: Submitting the deposit is the key step that secures your specific slot in our production schedule. You will be in regular contact with your dedicated project manager, who ensures your project timeline stays aligned with ours every step of the way.
