Box cabinets and stock cabinets – what you see is what you get

Most box stores have ready-made cabinets for you to choose from. The biggest benefit of opting for this option is that you can order and install these cabinets in a short period of time. However, the drawbacks are worth considering:

You cannot alter any of the pieces to better suit your space.

You get cabinets made from lower quality materials.

You will likely have to build and install the cabinets yourself.

If these drawbacks aren’t for you, you might consider the next step in the cabinet world: semi-custom cabinets.

Semi-custom stock cabinets – small changes cost a lot of money

Many of the stock cabinets offered by Menards or Home Depot are available for upgrades. Those updates can come at a great cost. These are just a few examples of where your semi-custom cabinets can achieve custom pricing, without any of the benefits of custom cabinets:

Size update. If you want your cabinets to reach the ceiling or you have a unique space to fit, a resize will cost you dearly.

Improvement of the type of wood. Semi-custom cabinets come with specific materials and stains. So if you’re looking for a more refined finish, you’ll see your base price go up substantially.

Improved finishes. Perhaps you want crown molding or a decorative overlay on your cabinet doors. Or maybe you want to upgrade the hardware to match a particular style you are looking for. Every time you start adding personal keys, you also start adding significant costs to your final bill.

The truth is, once you start customizing any box store stock cabinet, you will find that your estimate will skyrocket. This is true if you are trying to choose a different finish, or requesting a different face on the cabinets, or even requesting ornamental updates. In the end, you just can’t trust the tag price on those box cabinets.

Custom cabinets – more value for your money

Not knowing where your final number will fall is an unnecessary stressor. If you are looking for new cabinets to add to your kitchen remodel, start with a company that can customize cabinets to fit you, your style, and your space. You’ll have a number up front that you can trust, and you’ll gain access to numerous benefits that only come with custom cabinets, including your preferred style, size, color, and design. Yes, your wait time may be a bit longer, but it’s worth it.