High Quality Custom Kitchen Cabinet Cost in Singapore: 2025 Guide

For Singapore homeowners, the kitchen isn’t just a cooking space—it’s the heart of daily life, where families gather, meals are prepped, and memories are made. But when investing in high quality custom kitchen cabinet cost, many struggle to balance budget with long-term value. Should you choose cheap imported cabinets that warp in humidity? Or splurge on luxury brands without understanding hidden costs?

As a Singapore-based high-end custom cabinet maker specializing in ENF-grade OSB and innovative engineering, MRETTY has helped hundreds of local families build kitchens that are bothstunning and smart investments. In this 2025 guide, we’ll break down:

  • What drives high quality custom kitchen cabinet cost (and what doesn’t).

  • How to avoid overspending while getting premium quality.

  • Real Singapore case studies proving value over time.

Step 1: Define Your Layout & Lifestyle Needs (Avoid Costly Rework)

The biggest mistake homeowners make? Skipping a detailed layout plan. For Singapore’s compact apartments (800–1,200 sq ft on average), every inch counts—and a poorly designed cabinet layout can waste space or add unnecessary costs.

What to Do:

  • Audit Your Workflow: Do you cook often? Prioritize corner drawers for pots/pans or a pull-out pantry. Have kids? Add soft-close hinges and rounded edges.

  • Use 3D Visualization: MRETTY provides free 3D renderings of your kitchen, so you can tweak layouts beforeconstruction. For example, we reconfigured a client’s galley kitchen to include a hidden trash bin cabinet—saving 15% on floor space.

Why It Impacts Cost:

Rework (e.g., moving plumbing for a sink cabinet) can add S3,000 to your high quality custom kitchen cabinet cost. Planning ahead eliminates these surprises.

Step 2: Choose Materials That Balance Quality & Sustainability (Critical for Singapore’s Climate)

Material choice drives 40–60% of high quality custom kitchen cabinet cost—but not all “premium” materials are created equal. For Singapore’s hot, humid weather, you need:

  • Moisture Resistance: Standard MDF swells when exposed to humidity; ENF-grade OSB (Oriented Strand Board) doesn’t.

  • Low VOC Emissions: FSC-certified materials ensure your kitchen is safe for kids and pets.

MRETTY’s Material Advantage:

We exclusively use ENF-grade OSB (the highest environmental standard for engineered wood) paired with E0-level water-based paint (VOC levels < 0.05 mg/m³—far below Singapore’s national limit of 0.1 mg/m³). Our cabinets are FSC-certified, meaning wood comes from responsibly managed forests.

Cost Comparison Tip:

Cheap cabinets use particleboard with melamine coating—these emit more VOCs and warp within 2–3 years. MRETTY’s ENF OSB cabinets cost 15–20% more upfront but last 10+ years longer—saving you money on replacements.

mretty

 

Step 3: Evaluate Craftsmanship Details (Not Just “Luxury” Labels)

Premium high quality custom kitchen cabinet cost isn’t about gold handles—it’s about hidden engineering that prevents wear and tear. Here’s what to look for:

Detail

Budget Brands

MRETTY

Hinges

Exposed metal

Hidden hinges (smooth operation, no dust traps)

Door Thickness

18mm

25mm solid core (resists dents, feels luxury)

Shelf Support

Thin metal brackets

Reinforced steel rods (holds 50kg+ without sagging)

Edge Banding

Glued plastic

Durable PVC edge (no chipping, even with daily use)

Why MRETTY’s Details Matter:

Hidden hinges, for example, add S300 to your high quality custom kitchen cabinet cost—but they extend cabinet life by 5+ years and make cleaning a breeze. For Singaporean homeowners who hate maintenance, this is non-negotiable.

Step 4: Factor in Hidden Costs (Don’t Get Billed Later)

Transparent pricing is key to avoiding sticker shock. Here are common hidden costs in Singapore custom kitchens:

  1. Demolition & Disposal: Removing old cabinets can cost S1,000.

  2. Plumbing/Electrical Adjustments: Moving a sink or outlet adds S800.

  3. Floor Protection: MRETTY includes free ground film protection to prevent scratches—budget brands charge extra.

MRETTY’s Promise:

We provide a line-item quoteupfront, so you know exactly what you’re paying for. No “surprise” fees for demolition or protection—ever.

Step 5: Compare Value, Not Just Price (Long-Term ROI Matters)

The cheapest cabinet isn’t the most affordable—especially in Singapore, where replacing cabinets every 5 years adds up. To calculate high quality custom kitchen cabinet cost ROI:

  • Divide the total cost by the expected lifespan (MRETTY: 15+ years; budget: 5–7 years).

  • Add savings from energy-efficient design (our light-colored cabinets reflect light, reducing AC use).

Example:

A MRETTY kitchen costing S1,667/year.

A budget kitchen costing S2,143/year.

You save S$476/year with MRETTY—plus enjoy a better-looking, safer kitchen.

MRETTY vs Competitors: Which High-Quality Cabinet Delivers Long-Term Value?

To help you decide, here’s how MRETTY stacks up against common Singapore cabinet brands:

Criteria

Generic Local Brand

Budget Import Brand

MRETTY

Material

Particleboard

Thin OSB

ENF-Grade OSB

Moisture Resistance

Poor

Moderate

Excellent

Warranty

1 Year

2 Years

5 Years

Customization

Limited

None

Unlimited

Local Service

Slow

No Singapore Team

24/7 Support

MRETTY’s combination of premium materials, local expertise, and lifetime support makes us the clear choice for Singapore homeowners who want value andpeace of mind.

Real Singapore Case Study: How MRETTY Optimized Cost & Function for a Marina One Family

Let’s put theory into practice with a recent MRETTY project:

Client Background:

Mr. & Mrs. Tan, first-time homeowners in Marina One Residences (850 sq ft apartment). Their goals:

  • Maximize storage in a small kitchen.

  • Avoid humidity damage (they’d had warped cabinets in their previous HDB flat).

  • Stay under S$28,000 for cabinets.

MRETTY’s Solution:

  1. Layout: We designed an L-shaped kitchen with a pull-out pantry and corner lazy Susan—adding 30% more storage.

  2. Materials: ENF-grade OSB with aviation aluminum honeycomb core (lightweight but strong enough for heavy pots).

  3. Innovations:

    • Full aluminum cladding on water tank cabinets: Prevents swelling from condensation (a huge issue in Singapore’s humidity).

    • 25mm J-groove door panels: Adds texture without increasing cost.

  4. Service: Free 3D renderings helped the Tans visualize the space before construction.

Results:

  • Cost: S$26,500 (under budget!).

  • Function: The kitchen now fits all their cookware, plus a built-in coffee machine.

  • Durability: 18 months later, no warping, no scratches—just a happy family.

Mrs. Tan said: “MRETTY didn’t just build cabinets—they built a kitchen that fits our lifestyle. The aluminum cladding is a game-changer for our humid climate.”

Why MRETTY Is Singapore’s Choice for High-Quality Custom Kitchens

As a Singapore-based brand, MRETTY understands local needs better than anyone:

  • Small Apartment Expertise: We optimize layouts for HDBs, condos, and landed properties.

  • Tropical Climate Adaptation: Our moisture-resistant materials and hidden hinges prevent common wear-and-tear.

  • Transparency: Line-item quotes, FSC certification, and 5-year warranties.

Plus, we offer free soft furnishing model services—so you can see how your cabinets will look with curtains, backsplashes, and furniture before you commit.

Final Thoughts: Invest in a Kitchen That Grows With You

Calculating high quality custom kitchen cabinet cost isn’t about finding the cheapest option—it’s about finding the best value. MRETTY’s ENF-grade OSB, aviation aluminum technology, and local expertise ensure your kitchen is beautiful, functional, and built to last.

Ready to start your journey? Book a Free Consultation Now with our Singapore-based designers—we’ll help you create a kitchen you’ll love for decades.

MRETTY is Singapore’s premier high-end custom kitchen cabinet provider, specializing in ENF-grade OSB, innovative engineering, and personalized design. Our FSC-certified materials and 5-year warranty guarantee quality you can trust. Whether you’re in a HDB flat or a condo, we build kitchens that fit your life.

About the Author:

Yang Song is an award-winning custom kitchen designer at MRETTY with 12 years of experience. He won the 2024 Singapore Interior Design Awards – Best Custom Kitchen for his work on the Marina One Residences project. Yang’s philosophy? “Design a kitchen that works for yourfamily—not just looks pretty.” His portfolio includes high-end condos in Orchard Road and family homes in the East Coast.

MRETTY: Premium Bespoke Kitchen & Cabinet Systems Provider in Singapore.