Purchasing stock cabinets for your kitchen renovation or remodel can certainly save you quite a bit of money. The reason is because stock cabinets are far more affordable than the other two types of kitchen cabinets: semicustom and custom.
Not only can stock cabinets save you money, they can also save you time. The reason why is because you do not have to wait for them to be built! They’re already built for you, all you have to do is complete the install.
That being said, stock cabinets can come with their own drawbacks, as they are not specifically curtailed to fit with your kitchen and your needs. So, if you are looking to figure out how to choose the right style of stock kitchen cabinets, here are some important things to keep in mind.
How to choose the right stock kitchen cabinets
There are a lot of different Kitchen Cabinet Stock Types to look out for. When looking at stock types, you should think about how each style and feature will help you turn your kitchen into the best possible version of itself.
Solid wood and plywood cabinets: These are the two best options to pick from when thinking about stock kitchen cabinets. They’ll give you better longevity and allow for crisper features compared to pressed wood.
Walls at least .5 inches thick: This leads to a stronger and more sturdy overall cabinet.
Look at the consistency of finish on exterior: Cabinets that are of lesser quality typically have an irregular finish from one box to the next. That’s a good sign to look elsewhere.
Full-extension hardware: Make sure to see that you are able to open the drawers all the way and that the doors open to an almost 180-degree angle. This will ensure easy access once all your kitchen material is inside.
Dovetail joinery: Dovetail used to only be available in semicustom or custom cabinets, but now they are possible in stock cabinets as well. Drawer sides and backs that are stapled together will simply not last as long.
Cost of stock kitchen cabinets
So now that you have an idea of how to identify quality stock cabinets, here is a quick breakdown of the costs you can expect to see.
Typically, stock cabinets run from about $8,000 to approximately $10,000. While that sure seems like a lot, consider the fact that semicustom will run you about twice that cost. Full custom would obviously cost even more.
One thing to keep in mind, is just because they are already built, installing stock cabinets is not a DIY job unless you already have contractor and building experience. To make the most out of your new cabinets, it is best to hire a contractor to do the work for you. Because of that, you’ll want to carve out somewhere between $100 and $300 per cabinet to have them installed professionally.
Once that’s taken care of, you’ll be ready to enjoy your beautiful new stock kitchen cabinets.
