Custom Cabinetry vs. Store Bought – Is there Really A Difference?
The short answer is, “yes.”
Consider the expression: “You get what you pay for!”, of course, it is normally always true. It is especially true when it comes to kitchen renovation and remodeling projects. As kitchen designers and home improvement specialists, we often meet homeowners, house flippers, investors, and do-it-yourselfer home remodelers who want to update their old cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and other fixtures to enhance their home at the lowest possible price with the lowest cost and quality of materials that are available. This reminds me of an old adage attributed to Ben Franklin: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”
We understand that budget can be a determining factor in any home improvement project. However, the choices you make will impact your overall investment in your property. We often do not hesitate to pay high prices for items that will lose value like cars and television sets while cutting corners for important items like the heart of your home, the kitchen, which is the best investment for the value of a home and overall quality of life.
Are you planning a kitchen remodel and renovation? Are you unsure about your options of going with a custom kitchen design and cabinet manufacturer versus stock cabinets off the shelf?
On the surface, it may appear as though you are saving a considerable amount of money taking this route. Where, in fact, when you factor in ALL elements of a renovation/remodel, from design to materials to upgrades to labor, you’ll be quite surprised at how small the difference is in price compared to the huge difference in quality, value, durability, and customer experience of opting for a custom approach.
Pros
Price for cabinets “only” is generally cheaper than custom and availability and lead time for the product is normally very quick (1-3 weeks).
Ideal for:
Quick renos before selling a home
Cottage
Low-cost rentals
Cons
Cabinets sold in stores are stock cabinets so there are limited options for styles, colors, materials, finishes, and hardware selection. Cabinets are generally constructed of the most affordable materials available to keep the retail price as low as possible. Product quality and durability are therefore sacrificed.
Stock cabinets generally come in 3” increments and therefore the kitchen needs to adapt to the cabinets and not the other way around. That means you are limited in the design options you have and will have to use many more fillers to make things work.
Some stock cabinets are purchased unassembled so you need to factor in the labor to assemble them in your overall cost.
Custom Kitchen Design and Cabinetry
Pros
Custom cabinetry and design allow for complete freedom of composition with no limits. That means the design and cabinets adapt to the kitchen and space for a better fit and fewer fillers. With a wide range of suppliers, the range of styles, materials, colors, and finishes is practically unlimited.
Quality and value are key in custom cabinetry. NO compromise.
Custom kitchen designers and remodelers are experts in their trades and seasoned in the art of designing, planning, and building functional and inspiring spaces that meet customers’ exact needs. Their workmanship and know-how are second to none. This in turn adds full value to your lifestyle and to the eventual resale of the home.
Cons
Lead times are generally a bit longer for custom cabinetry as the millwork and production take more time to complete. Generally, you can expect up to eight weeks from order of cabinets to onsite delivery.
Our goal with this article is to make sure you have all the info you need to make a clear decision moving forward with your important kitchen renovation/remodel project. We’d like to be able to say this allows you to compare apples to apples but in reality, this is just not possible. The difference in quality, value, durability, and customer experience is just too great that we believe the only option is a custom approach.
Still not convinced? Let us show you the advantages and true value of realizing your project with a local expert. Contact The Custom Kitchen & Bath Company to find out more and get started on your project.