Custom cabinets verse semi-custom cabinets.

When the issue of new cabinets comes up in a kitchen bathroom or other remodel it is a very serious decision. Kitchen cabinets are one of the biggest design elements and the most important functional element. What you do not know is that the new cabinets are the most likely part of your remodel to slow down the project, frustrate the contractor and increase the costs. Here are some of my observations from a kitchen remodel and recent bathroom remodel. I have used both custom and semi-custom cabinets.

First lets discuss semi-custom cabinets. These are pre-made or made to order cabinets that are selected from catalogs. These cannot be individually customized, but the selection of different types and sizes is so large that for all practical purposes, individual customization is limited to a bare minimum. Any customization is done onsite by the installer. The craftsmanshift can very between manufactures and product lines. This is definitely a market where price can be your guide for quality. These are sold at factory outlets, hardware stores and remodel stores.

Semi-custom cabinets have many pros that make their purchase attractive. 1st they are easy to purchase. For example if Home Depot and Lowes have employees that specialize in putting together a kitchen or bathroom design for you and they select what components are needed in your design. Both these stores will provide you with computer pictures of what your new cabinets will look like. The cost up front is low and some stores will give you payment plans. The color, style and option selection is impressive.  

The list of negatives for semi-custom cabinets is long. First the way these are put together creates a situation where there is significant wasted space. Between every cabinet there is a minimum of 1 inch lost between every cabinets segment. The gaps become larger if your space does not match the exact makeup of the cabinets you selected. This more common later case, spacers are used. Spacers are finished planks that are cut to fit between the gaps between walls, cabinets and appliances. Everytime a spacer is used wasted space is created. In a kitchen storage space is one of the most critical design elements. Semi-Custom cabinets will cost you a little storage space and possiblty a large amount of storage space.
 
Next semi-custom cabinets are deceptively expensive. Installation is charged separately. There are delivery fees. There are parts and components that have to added onto your order. The finished piece that cover the toe kick area ($55 for 8’), the space eating spacers ($75 for 6” wide by 8’ tall) and crown trim all will be additional costs. The installer will need to measure your space, which costs extra. When the total bill is added together (you pay the installer and measurement company separately) the cost is much closer to custom that the sales person infers.

The last and most significant negative on semi-custom is timing. There is a 4-8 week order time from when you place your order to when the cabinets arrive at your home. This sounds like it could be planned around, but your order will not go to the manufacturer until a “official measurement” of your space is taken. A measurement can not be taken until the drywall is in place. What happened to us was that our contractor can in and in one week he had the old kitchen out, the wall torn down to the studs, new plumbing, electrical and vents in the open walls in about a week. To be sneaky we hammered up two pieces of drywall, had the “official measurer” out and take his measurement. He did, by the way he did what everyone but me the home owner did, run his tape down the floor and took a measurement that could be off by as much as two inches. The contractor had the drywall on the walls, patched and painted by the end of the week. Then our project sat while we waited 4 weeks for the cabinets. Once you are off track with a busy contractor, getting back on track is difficult. We used out own installer, because the one at the Burbank Lowes was rude to my wife, missed an appointment (that I stayed home from work for) and did not return my phone calls. When started to install we were missing spacers. They were omitted from the original order. Lowes told me that if we had used their installer this would have been caught when the order was placed. I still think that explanation is not logical, but I can not possible know. It took another three weeks for the spacers to arrive. By the time it was all over our decision to use simi-custom cabinets saved us only about $1,200 and cost us 7 weeks. Try living with out kitchen sink for 7 extra weeks. A word of warning, cabinets do not always arrive in good condition. If you have to get a replacement, it is easy to do, but the delivery clock is still 4-8 weeks for the replacement. The possibility for losing time, to the turn of weeks is highly likely with simi-custom cabinets.

Custom cabinets avoid the negatives below, but they come with some pitfalls of their own. For example you have to find a carpenter. If you are using a general contractor they often work with a few carpenters. Next this person has to work with you on pencil and paper and design your cabinet layout. I have heard of custom designers that have software on their laptops that make this easier. Next the cost is always a little bit more, after all you choosing to reject the miracle of manufacturing economies of scale. Lastly you do not have the piece of mind or assurances that working with a large corporation can give you. Even though I have chip on my shoulder about Lowes now, they would always take my calls when I though delivery was taking too long. There are horror stories out there about contractors who take deposites and disappear. I recommended doing a good amount of homework before your hire. Consumer review sites are a great place for look.

The positives of custom cabinets make a strong argument. When remodeling in a confined space, custom designs can make use of every inch of space. If you remodeling, particularly in an old house, the custom design can taking existing vent, electrical and plumbing placement into consideration with a design. This is very valuable. The price is usually inclusive of installation labor and “parts.” You have more finish and style options. A carpenter can also design for special needs or functions. Finally the carpenter is accustomed working around other “subs” and with general contractors. After the entire general contractor is probably a source of business for the carpenter.

All in all, I use three rules of thumb when giving advice. First is time. How much time can go without the room you are putting new cabinets in. Second are the restrictions of the space. If the cabinets are between two walls or will be around a unique obstacle I always recommend custom. Finally, can you find a carpenter you are comfortable with. The Lowes and Home Depot installers may not have good phone skills or may be late, but probably they will do a good job, they will not steal and will treat your house well, after all they get hundreds of jobs from Home Depot or Lowes.