Volume Cabinet Door Pricing: A Contractor's Guide

Learning to Price Projects Right

When I was still painting cabinets full-time, I watched a lot of contractors lose money on jobs they should have made money on. And nine times out of ten, the problem was doors.

They'd quote the job using retail door prices because that's what they knew. They'd go to the home center, look up prices, multiply by their door count, and use that number in their bid. Then they'd win the job and scramble to find cheaper options. Or they'd absorb the cost difference to hit the number they'd quoted. Or, worst case, they'd cut corners on something else to make the math work.

I've done all three. None of them are good options.

I remember one kitchen in Venice where I bid the job based on retail pricing from a big box supplier. 34 doors. My door budget was $2,800. When I actually ordered from a trade supplier I'd found, the doors cost $1,900. That $900 difference was pure profit I'd left on the table.

The next job, I bid tighter based on what I'd actually paid. Lost the bid to someone who was still using retail numbers. That's how tight the margins can be in this business.

Here's what I learned: if you understand volume pricing, you can quote jobs more competitively and still make better margins than contractors who don't. It's not complicated math. It's just math most people don't do.

Understanding Volume Pricing

Volume pricing isn't charity. It's economics.

Every order has fixed costs that don't change based on quantity: order processing, production setup, shipping coordination, quality control administration. Whether you order 5 doors or 50 doors, these costs are roughly the same.

When you order more doors, those fixed costs get spread across more units. The per-door cost drops. We pass those savings to you in the form of volume discounts.

Additionally, larger orders are more efficient to produce. Setting up a CNC machine for one door takes the same time as setting it up for twenty doors. Larger batches mean fewer setups, faster throughput, and lower production cost per unit.

The math works. Volume discounts aren't a gimmick. They're how manufacturing economics actually work.

Our Volume Discount Structure

We keep it simple because complicated pricing structures waste everyone's time:

Order Size	Discount	Typical Savings
1-10 doors	Base trade price	Below retail already
11-25 doors	5% off	$50-75 per order
26-50 doors	10% off	$200-350 per order
51+ doors	15% off	$500+ per order

Discounts apply automatically. You don't need codes, you don't need to ask, you don't need to negotiate. The system just applies the discount based on your door count.

Important note: Our base trade pricing is already significantly below retail. The volume discounts are additional savings on top of already competitive prices. You're not paying inflated prices that get "discounted" to normal. You're paying fair prices that get genuinely discounted for volume.

Breaking Down the Numbers

Let me show you exactly what this looks like on real orders:

Small order (8 doors):

• Average door cost: $75
• Base trade price total: $600
• Discount: None (under threshold)
• You pay: $600

Medium order (20 doors):

• Average door cost: $75
• Base trade price total: $1,500
• 5% discount: -$75
• You pay: $1,425

Large order (35 doors):

• Average door cost: $75
• Base trade price total: $2,625
• 10% discount: -$262.50
• You pay: $2,362.50

Big project (60 doors):

• Average door cost: $75
• Base trade price total: $4,500
• 15% discount: -$675
• You pay: $3,825

The bigger the order, the bigger the savings. This is straightforward math, but the cumulative effect is significant.

The Strategy Most Contractors Miss

Here's what separates contractors who make good money from contractors who don't: they plan ahead.

Batch ordering

If you've got 2-3 projects coming up in the next month, order the doors together. A 28-door combined order at 10% off beats two 14-door orders at 5% off.

Let me do that math explicitly:

Two separate 14-door orders:

• Order 1: $1,050 - 5% = $997.50
• Order 2: $1,050 - 5% = $997.50
• Total: $1,995

One combined 28-door order:

• $2,100 - 10% = $1,890

Savings from batching: $105

That's $105 back in your pocket just from ordering together instead of separately. Same doors, same quality, same delivery timing. Just smarter ordering.

Inventory stocking

Common sizes like 14x30, 15x36, 18x30 show up in almost every kitchen. Keeping a few in stock means you're ready for small jobs without paying base pricing.

Here's the strategy: when you hit 45 doors on a combined order, add 5 more common-sized doors to push into the 51+ tier. Store those extras. Next time you need 3 doors for a small job, you've already got them. You paid 15% off instead of base price. And you avoided a separate shipping charge.

Is it extra work? A little. Is it worth it? The math says yes.

Project coordination

I know contractors who coordinate ordering with other contractors they trust. Neither one is big enough alone to hit the 51+ tier, but together they are.

Two contractors, each doing a 30-door project: separate orders would be 10% off each.

Combined 60-door order: 15% off everything.

Split the difference, and both contractors come out ahead. It requires trust and coordination, but the savings are real.

Timing your orders

If you've got 45 doors across current projects and a few more projects in the pipeline, wait a week to see if you can combine orders. The higher tier discount might be worth a slight delay on one project.

Conversely, if you're at 24 doors and another project is starting soon, bump the order to 26 to hit the 10% tier. Two extra doors at 10% off cost less than 24 doors at 5% off and 2 doors later at base price.

How to Think About Pricing in Your Bids

When you're bidding a job, here's how to think about door costs:

Step 1: Count your doors

Be precise. Upper cabinets. Lower cabinets. Drawer fronts. Pantry doors. Appliance panels. Everything.

Step 2: Determine which tier you'll hit

Based on your door count, what discount applies?

Step 3: Add any upcoming orders

Can you batch this with another project to reach a higher tier?

Step 4: Calculate your actual cost

Use the discounted price, not retail. This is what you'll actually pay.

Step 5: Build your bid from real numbers

When your door cost is based on what you'll actually pay, your margin calculation is accurate. You're not leaving money on the table or bidding too low.

Monthly Accounts for Regular Volume

If you're doing consistent volume, let's say 30+ doors a month, talk to me about a partner account. Partner accounts qualify for:

Reserved production slots: Your capacity is locked in, not competing with other orders. When you need doors, they're in production immediately. No queue jumping required because you're already in the queue.

NET 30 terms: Pay after delivery, improve your cash flow. This is significant for contractors who are waiting on draws or client payments. You're not floating door costs while waiting for the project to close.

Custom pricing: Volume commitments unlock deeper discounts than the standard tiers. If you're doing 50+ doors a month consistently, we can structure pricing that reflects that volume.

Priority support: Direct line to production. Questions answered same day. Problems resolved immediately.

I'd rather give a loyal contractor a great deal and know they're coming back than nickel-and-dime on every order and lose them to someone else.

Quality Never Changes

One thing I want to be absolutely clear about: discount tiers never affect quality. This isn't a situation where volume buyers get the good doors and small orders get whatever's left.

Every door, whether it's order #1 or order #100, goes through the same:

• CNC milling on the same equipment
• Same quality checkpoints
• Same packaging standards
• Same delivery guarantee

The discount is a thank-you for bringing us more business. It's not a signal that we're cutting corners on your order.

I've seen suppliers who have "premium" and "standard" product lines. The premium line is for customers who notice quality issues. The standard line is for customers who don't complain. That's not how we operate.

One quality level. One production process. Every order.

Comparing Our Pricing to Alternatives

Let me put our pricing in context:

Big box stores:

• Retail pricing: $90-150+ per door
• Limited selection
• 4-8 week lead times
• No volume discounts
• Quality varies significantly

Online door mills:

• "Competitive" pricing that's not that competitive
• Hidden fees for custom sizes
• 4-6 week lead times
• Some volume pricing available
• Quality inconsistent

Local cabinet shops:

• Premium pricing: $100-200+ per door
• Great quality usually
• 2-4 week lead times
• Relationships matter for pricing
• Limited capacity

Our pricing:

• Trade pricing starting at $75 average
• Volume discounts up to 15%
• 21-day lead times standard, 5-day rush available
• Consistent quality, consistent pricing

We're positioned to give contractors professional-grade doors at better-than-retail pricing with lead times that actually work for real projects.

Calculating Your Real Savings

Let's do the math on a typical year:

10 kitchen projects averaging 30 doors each: 300 doors/year

At retail (hypothetical $100/door):

• Annual door cost: $30,000

At our trade pricing with volume discounts:

• Assuming mostly 26-50 door orders (10% off)
• Average door cost: $75 base - 10% = $67.50
• Annual door cost: $20,250

Annual savings: $9,750

That's $9,750 back in your pocket. Enough to cover a tool upgrade, a training course, marketing, or just more profit.

And that's conservative. If you're batching orders strategically, coordinating with other contractors, or qualifying for partner account pricing, the savings are even larger.

The Lead Time Factor

Pricing isn't the only number that matters. Lead time affects your profitability too.

Every week a project extends costs you money in:

• Carrying costs
• Lost opportunity for next project
• Crew scheduling inefficiency
• Client frustration and potential reputation damage

Our 21-day standard lead time means:

• Faster project turnover
• More projects per year
• Better cash flow
• Happier clients

When comparing suppliers, factor in lead time. A slightly cheaper supplier with 8-week lead times might cost you more in the long run than our pricing with 21-day delivery.

Getting Started With Volume Pricing

Here's how to take advantage of volume pricing:

For your next project:

1. Count your doors accurately
2. Check if you can batch with other upcoming work
3. Request a quote with your door list
4. We'll confirm pricing including applicable discounts

For ongoing partnership:

1. Call 941-417-0202 to discuss monthly volume
2. We'll review your typical order patterns
3. Set up partner account if applicable
4. Start benefiting from better pricing and priority service

For coordination with other contractors:

1. Find a contractor you trust
2. Coordinate project timing
3. Submit combined orders
4. Split shipments as needed

Related Resources

• Industry-standard lead times: Why we deliver in 21 days, not 42
• Contractor cabinet doors: Full program details and specifications

Get Your Volume Quote

Call 941-417-0202 with your door counts and sizes. I'll show you exactly what your volume discount looks like. No commitment, no pressure. Just clear numbers so you can make an informed decision.

Or better yet, send me a list of your upcoming projects. I'll help you figure out the most cost-effective way to batch them.

I spent years watching contractors lose money on door pricing. Bidding with retail numbers, scrambling to find savings, cutting margins they shouldn't have cut. The information asymmetry favors suppliers who don't explain their pricing.

I'd rather explain everything upfront. You understand how the pricing works. You make better decisions. You come back because the relationship makes sense.

Because helping you make more money is how I earn your repeat business.

FAQ

Can I combine orders from different job sites?

Yes. As long as the doors ship together to one address, they count as one order for volume pricing. You can specify which doors go to which project for your records.

Do drawer fronts count toward volume pricing?

Yes. Doors and drawer fronts count equally toward volume tiers.

What about odd-sized doors?

Custom sizes don't cost extra, and they count toward volume pricing the same as standard sizes.

How do I know what tier I'll hit before ordering?

Count your doors and drawer fronts. Check the tier chart above. Or call me and I'll confirm.

Can I add to an existing order to hit a higher tier?

If the order hasn't entered production, yes. Once production starts, we can't modify. Call immediately if you want to add doors.

Is there a minimum order?

No formal minimum. But shipping one door costs almost as much as shipping ten, so very small orders are less economical.