DIYbanter - View Single Post - Where to Kitchen cabinets for decent price?

Steve

wrote on 31 Jul 2007 in group alt.home.repair:

Plan to remodel my kitchen with new cabinets. So I went to home depot
and got an estimate for a KraftMaid cherry cabinet in sunset color.

The quotes come out to be $15k+ just for the cabinets (with plywood
upgrade), which seems like a lot to me. I am in San Jose, CA. I was
planning to spend somewhere around $5k-$8k on cabinets. Our kitchen is
13x14, U shaped (frig on one side, stove on other side, sink in the
middle. The amount of cabinet is average (large window in the middle
above sink.

How is HD's kitchen cabinet price? Is KraftMaid more expensive than
other brand? What other brands of cabinet should I look into to cut
down the price? Maple is generally cheaper but the medium color maple
we saw (honey-spice) have the same price index as the cherry one (17).

Would I have better luck contacting some local cabinet store? I went
to some Asian stores, and have gotten quotes in the 2k-5k range for
all plywood, dark cherry cabinets (made in China of course). The
hardware (drawer rails, lazy susan spin) does not seem to be of too
high quality, but the cabinet itself feels fine. The selection is
somewhat limited. I prefer the feeling of the upgraded KraftMaid
drawer hardware. (HD said $26 for each drawer).

Is HD's cabinet price average? on the high end? I know my question is
very open ended, I am very new to this. Any suggestions would be
helpful. Thanks.

Raymond

Prices vary widely on a regional basis. You can't reasonably compare
with anybody outside your area. I've always found that the Lowes Depot
prices are high.

I recommend you talk to some custom cabinet shops. They'll show you what
they make and how they make it. You can decide for yourself whether they
do a good job, because they'll have partially completed work in the shop
for you to see.

Again, prices will vary, so talk to several shops. The guy across the
freewahy from me is expensive. The one over in Fort Worth is very low,
and his work is very good. Guess where I go.

I make cabinets for clients, and I can't beat the shop's price. They can
sell me a complete door for less than I'd pay for the wood -- something
about buying wood in traincar lots....

One of your friends is bound to know some woodworkers. Ask them which
shops do good work; you'll shorten your search.
--
Steve B.
New Life Home Improvement