Choosing kitchen cabinets doesn’t have to be confusing. With a little research on your part, you’ll know what to order, what you want and need, and where to find it. All while saving as much money as possible.
First: decide what you need, what you want, and what you can afford.
- What style are you looking for? Shaker, Country, Retro, Classic, New England, Cottage?
- Are you open to suggestions and ideas?
- Do you want wood, laminate, framed or frameless (European style) cabinets?
- What kind of countertops do you go with? Laminate, solid surface, marble, granite, quartz, concrete, tile, glass?
- Do you need a brand new kitchen, just a bathroom vanity, or just a fixture?
- Do you need help with the whole process, which means you may need to hire or be your own contractor, or is your project small?
- What is your budget? If you have $200, you can paint your cabinets to give them a new look or get new handles or knobs. If you have $5,000 or more, you may be able to get a completely new kitchen, depending on the size. If you have $10,000, you might even start thinking about remodeling (changing walls, plumbing, etc.). Kitchens can really range from a few thousand to several tens of thousands depending on where you live and what you want. You will pay much more for a kitchen in New England or Oregon than in Kentucky or Wisconsin.
Thinking about these questions will help you move in the right direction.
Second: decide where you are going to look when choosing kitchen cabinets; Don’t be limited to just factory cabinets.
Once you’ve decided what you want and need and are choosing kitchen cabinets, check it out. If you need to buy new cabinets, don’t be fooled by the idea that all custom kitchen and bathroom cabinets are out of your pocket. There may be cabinet shops that are actually less expensive than many factory cabinets (especially when you factor in all the costs like installation, tac, trim, etc.). But be sure to check out the factory cabinets, too. Some semi-custom cabinets (which are factory cabinets with more options) may be just what you’re looking for and what your budget can afford.
Offers must be free, at least once. If you have to pay someone to bid on your project, RUN. But don’t expect someone to bid on your cabinets more than once for free. If you make changes to your plan, or change your mind about what you want and need to re-bid, expect to pay a small fee at a custom cabinet shop.
Factory cabinet deals are likely to remain free no matter how many changes you make. But remember, the more times you change your mind, the more chance there is for mistakes, especially with factory or semi-custom cabinets.
Browse country and small shops; you may find some bargains. If you are in a metropolitan area, look online or in phone books outside your area, under cabinets or kitchens. Country furniture stores have sprung up everywhere in the last 20 years. These are usually very good and often less expensive than the custom shops on the subway (but don’t count them out either!). Once again, check around you.
Always remember to check any cabinet store first, before you put down your hard earned money. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself as you compare kitchen cabinet companies:
- Check with the Better Business Bureau.
- Go to your local grocery store or coffee shop and ask if anyone has heard of XYZ Cabinet Shop and what kind of work they do.
- Ask the cabinet store for referrals.
- Ask to see a kitchen they finished.
- Ask to speak to one or more of their past clients, get phone numbers, and call on your own.
- Request a tour of your store.
You may get some relative bargains, but you may also be fooled – keep your eyes peeled as you choose kitchen cabinets!
Please note: Factory quotes can sometimes be misleading! (ie housing centers, lumberyards)
When choosing kitchen cabinets, don’t just look at the final price. If you’re listing factory cabinets (even some custom shops will leave these things out as well), make sure the following are included in the price, or get prices and consider the following:
- Is tax included?
- Is the top edge included? What type?
- What about the kick in the toe? And if it is cited, what type is it? Just something black that won’t match your kitchen and bathroom cabinets?
- Are the handles an extra expense? If they are, this could cost you $200 and up.
- What about the countertops? Are they somewhere in the price and what kind were they calculated?
- Who is going to install this, or is it included in the price?
- How much will I get if I can install it myself?
- How much will I get deducted if I can stain and finish the kitchen and bathroom cabinets myself?
Third: Get what you need, what you want, and what you can afford.
When choosing kitchen cabinets, make sure you get an estimate for the type of kitchen and bathroom cabinets you want. If any cabinetmaker or salesperson hesitates to quote what they really want (especially if they can’t explain why), worry.
They need to be useful and not just push what they want to sell or what they have on hand. If they think something won’t work for you, they should be able to give legitimate reasons why, not just that they don’t sell those things. It’s okay if they steer you in the right direction, but after weighing your options, you should get what you want.
Finally, don’t forget about countertop options. They really make a deal difference in price.
When choosing kitchen cabinets, ask your supplier what they offer for countertops.
- Laminate countertops: what edges do they offer?
- Wood edge countertops: what edges do you offer?
- Marble countertops (note, there are different qualities of marble). I’m talking about cultured marble here. Real marble is very expensive, but if it’s within your budget and you like it, go for it.
- Solid surface: what companies can get? Do they install it or does a third party do it? Can you make the seams look perfect? What type of warranty comes with the product and how long after the cabinets are installed will the countertop be installed?
- Quartz Countertops – (Cambria, Silestone, CaesarStone, etc.)
- Granite Countertops – For granite and quartz, also find out when the installation will be. It is usually a week or more after the cabinets are installed (sometimes up to a month).
- Mosaic: Do they mosaic, do you mosaic, or do you hire someone else to mosaic? Also, who prepares the surface for tiling? Will there be a wood edge around the tiles, will the tiles be rounded or completely wraparound?
- If you want concrete, glass or stainless steel, can they suggest a good supplier or do you have to find your own? Keep in mind that concrete, glass, and stainless steel are relatively rare and expensive, more so than granite or quartz.
Keep the above ideas in mind when choosing kitchen cabinets. You’ll make informed decisions and save yourself some money.
And remember – HAVE A HAPPY KITCHEN!
