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There are three traditional categories of kitchen cabinets: stock, semicustom and custom. Though some people assume that these categories reflect different levels of quality, that is not necessarily the case. What really differentiates the different cabinet categories are cost, customization and waiting times.
To these three categories, and a fourth—ready-to-assemble (RTA)—which is an increasingly popular option for many homeowners and cabinet installers.
Stock Cabinets
Stock cabinets are those that are likely to be “in stock” at your home store, or at least available for quick delivery. These cabinets are built in standard sizes and configurations at the factory. They are the most economical, readily available and popular option.
The downsides to stock cabinets are limited sizes, wood selections and door styles. A kitchen with stock cabinets will almost certainly look much like many other kitchens you’ve seen. That said, it is also true that the selection of styles, finishes and accessories in stock cabinets continues to expand. Even if you ultimately decide against stock cabinets, you should begin your shopping with them.
Low-cost is one of the main benefits of stock cabinets, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they should be equated with poor quality. True, many stock cabinets are made with less expensive materials (particleboard rather than plywood for the box sides, for example). But much of the price advantage they offer is a result of mass production, which can produce great just as easily as lousy quality. So you need to be able to identify the specific features that define cabinet quality.
Semicustom Cabinets
Semicustom cabinets allow you to make a few adjustments to the stock line. You can usually buy a taller or shorter cabinet than offered as a stock item at a higher cost and with a longer delay. Deeper cabinets are also a popular option.
The extra cost may be minimal, however, and the delay (typically a month or more) may be unimportant to you. If that is the case, then by all means think about the added pleasure you will get from your kitchen over the long term by opting for semicustom cabinets. Varied cabinet heights alone are greatly appreciated by people of different heights in a household.
But you can make a mistake by trying to choose too many alterations in a semicustom cabinet line. Each alteration adds to the cost, and may well wind up costing you as much as custom cabinets.
Custom Cabinets
Custom cabinets are made entirely to your specifications, and theoretically that means you can choose from a nearly endless supply of materials, styles, colors, configurations and accessories. Custom cabinets may be factory built or constructed in a cabinetmakers shop. If you don’t mind the higher cost and longer delivery time, this is the way to go for unique, personalized cabinets.
But note that, just as “stock” does not necessarily mean “poor quality,” “custom” does not necessarily mean “high quality.” The quality depends on the cabinetmaker’s skills, which can be limited or extraordinary, or anywhere in between.
Before opting for the custom route, take time to find a highly recommended company or individual. An experienced cabinetmaker can work closely with you to design cabinets that fit your kitchen perfectly and give it exactly the look you want. Bear in mind, though, that you may need to wait several months or more for the cabinets to be delivered.
How To Decide
Kitchen cabinets are a major expense, to be sure. But they are also typically expected to provide 20 years of service, so it pays (literally and figuratively) to take some time comparing the choices.
As a (very) general rule, semicustom cabinets cost twice as much, and custom cabinets three times as much, as stock cabinets. You also need to figure the cost of installation into your calculations.
The least expensive option is to buy stock cabinets and install them yourself. Next up the cost ladder would be having stock cabinets installed by a moderately skilled handyman, who would typically charge less per hour than a skilled carpenter or cabinetmaker.
Stock cabinets are your best choice if you:
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Need cabinets quickly
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Are on a tight budget
- Aren’t especially picky about style and options
Semicustom cabinets are your best choice if you:
Custom cabinets are your best choice if you:
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