What is the difference between custom, semi-custom, and stock cabinets?
The difference is A) Construction, B) Options, C) Lead Times and D), Price.
Custom Cabinets: You can get these cabinets in any finish you desire. For instance I work with one manufacturer who will reproduce and finish you give them or any One of Benjamon Moore’s paint colors. They can be distressed to your liking, as well. They’ll insist on producing a sample door that you will approve before they will accept an order. They can be ordered in any dimension, any door style you want (design your own too) and also can come in exotic woods, if they’re available. They are typically built like tanks – all plywood (solid wood) construction and tons and tons of accessories, even ones you design yourself. Detail drawings are produced by the designer and confirmed before construction. Lead times vary – 10-12 weeks is the most common, but I’ve seen longer. Price – to pay 50K + for just the cabinets is not out of this world at all for a kitchen done in custom cabinets.You can take advantage of all they have to offer or pick and choose which to have to match your budget.(the sky is the limit!).
Semi-Custom Cabinets: They are made when you order then. Typically they have some combination of solid wood (plywood) and MDF/particle board construction. Almost all will have 3/4" thick face frames made from solid wood, in the least. They options are much greater than stock cabinets with the offerings being more limited than custom. You can typically change the dimensions somewhat, but depending on the manufacturer, there will be limitations. They come in several door styles, finishes and species. They have fun accessoories that can be added like glass doors, tray dividers and appliance garages. Lead times vary from 2 weeks to 8 weeks. They can vary GREATLY in price from one manufacturer to another. You might be looking at a range of 8k – 40K for semi custom cabinets. You will get what you pay for. But they fit almost everyone’s budget.
Stock Cabinets: They are usually constructed from MDF/particle board/furniture board. They come in standard 3" increments of sizes but you can usually buy filler pieces to finish off the design. They are bought off the shelf and you can have them today! It’s still a good idea to have a kitchen designer work on a plan for you though. Mistakes can be avoided. Price – generally 2K – 8K can get you a kitchen full. Then there’s RTA cabinets – They come in pieces and you put them together. (ready to Assemble). Not for the faint of heart.
Custom cabinets are designed and built individually for a specific customer without any limitations regarding size, shape, color, type of wood or style. A particular style cabinet may be built only one time for a customer, never to be repeated again. The only limitation is the amount of space available and your imagination. Semi-custom and stock cabinets are essentially the same thing. Stock cabinets are mass-produced by someone you have never spoken to, are dropped off on your doorstep in cardboard boxes, and installed by someone not affiliated with the manufacturer. They are produced by large robotic machines, in predetermined sizes and styles, which afford you very few options in the design of your kitchen. A salesman might tell you it’s semi-custom, because he used a 12 inch deep upper cabinet in your island, or a stock upper cabinet was installed 6 inches higher than the rest. Either way, it is still a stock cabinet,(maybe the same kind your neighbor has),shipped in a cardboard bo
