If you’re remodeling your kitchen, you can save money by buying cheap stock cabinets instead of replacing them with more expensive custom styles.
Remodeling planning
When you are planning any type of kitchen renovation, deciding what to do with your cabinet doors is always an important decision.
New cabinets often cost up to 50% of your entire remodeling budget and having cabinets that are functional can mean the difference between a kitchen that works and one that doesn’t.
Cabinet door replacement only
How about just replacing or renovating your kitchen cabinet doors, especially if they are in pretty good shape? If you can’t afford to buy them all new, this might be the way to go.
Stock, Custom and Semi-Stock
Finding cabinets that are cheap but don’t look cheap or have kitchen cabinet doors that don’t look cheap can be a real challenge, but not impossible. Most remodeling specialists agree that cabinets make up a large part of your kitchen budget. Less money but still a fabulous look!
Kitchen cabinets and doors on a budget generally come in 3 types: standard, custom, and semi-finished. In each of the types, there are variables of quality of the drawer, construction, type of wood and finish. This is one way you could discover high value in even the least expensive stock cabinets. You just have to know what you are looking for.
Stock cabinets
For stock cabinets and kitchen cabinet doors, they are typically found in almost any home improvement outlet and in many decorating styles than ever before. Usually you don’t need to order them, but they are in stock at the store. Cabinet doors are typically 34 1/2 inches high and 24.5 inches deep. Wall or top cabinets are 30 inches high and 12 inches deep.
To find the value, you must wait until there are seasonal sales for discounts on stock. You can add crown molding to customize and this will create a high-end look.
Semi-stock cabinets
Semi-finished cabinets and kitchen cabinet doors can be ordered at your home improvement center through a kitchen designer. They will usually be delivered in about a month, so you need to plan your project. These come in the same standard size as the stock cabinets, but with the option of being able to increase the width in 3-inch increments. Any old size space can be covered with a piece of filler to blend in with the remaining cabinets. They have solid kitchen cabinet doors and are typically made of a higher quality plywood side construction. Additionally, customizable pieces such as pantries, plate racks, and spice racks can be ordered.
To find value with these cabinets, choose a drawer construction that is solid wood and more robust sliders for longer cabinet life. The thicker the side construction plywood, the better the value of the cupboard and kitchen cabinet doors.
This is the cheapest way to do it: cabinet doors and kitchen cabinets that are in stock and already in stock.