Cabinetry 101: What to Know about the Investment, Quality & Source

Did you know that there is far more to cabinet selection than just choosing the door style and color? You have the box, the frame, the drawers, the doors, the hinges, and the hardware. Each of these pieces can come in different styles, materials, and finishes, all of which have different price points, functionality, and expectations for longevity. Phew. That’s more than you expected, right?

In addition, kitchen cabinets are often the most expensive line item in a renovation budget, which also surprises people. That’s why, as part of our planning process, we always take our clients to the cabinet showroom for a first-hand look at the differences in quality, functionality, and style.

Steve refers to this as “Cabinetry 101,” where we teach you all about cabinetry features and construction so you can make the best quality decision for your project and budget. Today, I’m inviting you to an abbreviated version of Cabinetry 101 and answering 4 of the top FAQs we hear every time. 

I think some of these answers may surprise you…

Q1: How much should you invest in cabinets?

As I mentioned, kitchen cabinets are often the most expensive line item on a renovation budget. This may cause you to second guess your investment, but I can assure you that the amount of detail and construction that goes into quality cabinets is well worth the money

Our Suggestion: Invest well in your cabinets, and don’t look back. They will give far more than they take in the long run.

Q2: How can I save money on my cabinets?

Naturally, any time you’re faced with an expensive line item, you might be wondering which corners you can cut to shave off a few dollars. The question we hear the most is: “My neighbor had cabinets installed that look the same as what you are recommending, and they didn’t spend as much. Why do these cabinets cost more?”

Here’s the thing: you get what you pay for. The cheaper the price tag, the more poorly made the product. For features you don’t use very often, you can get away with a cheap solution. But consider how many times you open and close the doors and drawers of your kitchen cabinets. Especially if you have an active family. (Kids wear hard on a home!) 

Our Suggestion: Again, going for low-cost cabinets simply isn’t the smartest long-term investment. A bit more upfront will ensure you get a product that will maintain its integrity for years to come. Which brings us to the next question…

Q3: Is there a difference between custom and prefinished cabinets?

With custom cabinets, you can select the door style and color based on our design plan. Each cabinet is made to the size specified. The interior can be customized for roll-out drawers, extra shelves, or any number of options. (Check out Steve’s favorite kitchen cabinet features.) In other words, everything is tailored to you, your routine, and your lifestyle. 

By contrast, prefinished cabinets arrive in flatpack boxes and are assembled in the warehouse. These product lines usually have three or four door style options and specific color combinations, which limit your selection and design plan options. Style might be something you’re willing to compromise on, but here’s the real problem…

The materials used to make prefinished cabinets are less stable and full of particle board. It is likely to show wear after only a few years of use. Although the price of this cabinetry can be very appealing, you will wish you invested more when they begin to break down.

Our Suggestion: Without a doubt, we always recommend custom cabinetry made for you, regardless of the manufacturer. It’s higher quality and gives you a wider range of stylistic and functional options.

Q4: Where do you source your cabinets? Locally?

Clients almost always ask us about the option of having cabinets made locally, installed, and then painted on-site. (Or painted in the local woodshop and then installed.) The reason we get this question a lot is because of…HGTV. These shows often use this method to keep costs low, and thus, the idea has grown in popularity. We highly, highly discourage this method of finishing. Why

As Steve says… Would you buy a sports car unfinished, bring it to your garage, and paint it yourself?

Absolutely not! Cabinet manufacturers invest millions in their paint booths. They use commercial products that create solid finishes that are stable, colorfast, super hard and watertight. 

No matter how hard they try, a local paint shop simply cannot duplicate this process. If you have ever been to someone’s house and seen paint chipping around the door hardware or corners of the drawers, they were probably painted locally or after installation. That’s the sacrifice.

Our Suggestion: Instead, a factory-applied, professional finish provides a consistently smooth surface that will hold up to day-to-day use in your home. Again, it’s an investment that pays off many years down the road.

You have officially passed Cabinetry 101: Part 1. In two weeks, we’ll be back with Part 2: 5 Things to Know about Cabinet Construction.

If you’re ready to update your kitchen, reach out, and we’ll chat to see if we are a good fit for your renovation project. 

Warmly, 
Sarah