Choosing the right cabinet for your kitchen creates a great focal point based on the material and design used. Sleek and modern cabinets give homeowners an opportunity to create a contemporary space while traditional cabinetry works great for a country kitchen. However, the difference between custom and semi-custom kitchen cabinets has a great influence on the budget and overall design.
Before making your final decision, it is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative to have a perfect idea of what suits your preferences and current lifestyle. Here is a guide to help you make the right decision when choosing between custom and semi-custom kitchen cabinets.
What are Custom Kitchen Cabinets?
Custom kitchen cabinets are built or designed according to your own specifications. A homeowner has complete control over the materials used in the kitchen cabinetry including the required features, size, and type of wood and finish. Since custom cabinets offer a wide range of choices when it comes to measurements, they give you an opportunity to design kitchen cabinetry that runs in any length along the wall and fits perfectly into oddly shaped corners.
Although some of them are built with similar materials to stock cabinets, they have a longer lead-time. When investing in custom cabinets, most homeowners opt for solid wood as it can be redecorated in future and provides lifelong durability.
What are Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets?
The primary difference between semi-custom and custom cabinets is that semi-custom cabinets are made after the manufacturer receive your order. Although the lead-time can stretch from several days to weeks, you expect to pay a little less than custom cabinets but more than stock cabinets.
Semi-custom cabinets are built with kitchen renovation contractors or sold by retailers. Although their lifespan and quality are quite similar to stock cabinets, they offer more options in design than stock cabinets. However, semi-custom cabinets have limited choices and the unusual cabinet designs and range of combinations are not equivalent to those used in custom cabinets.
Factors to Consider when Choosing between Custom and Semi-Custom Cabinets
Quality Control
Professional contractors who install custom cabinets ensure that the materials used in the renovation project are of the best quality. Furthermore, they may give advice on the best materials since they have years of experience in designing custom kitchen cabinetry. Before installation, they also ensure its entirety is properly assembled. Some features in semi-custom cabinets will be standard since the quality of materials used may be compromised to reduce the cost of production. Although they may not be made of the highest quality, they are much better than stock cabinets or prefabricated materials.
Cost
It is important to note that the cost of making custom kitchen cabinets can be a bit frightening since there are no set costs. Different materials will have different price tags since they will be selected from the best designs. The cost used to assemble semi-custom cabinets varies depending on the amount of customization as well as the materials used. However, it should not result in a substantial expense because its customization options are limited.
Fit for Space
You can choose to install semi-custom cabinets by yourself or have them installed by your dealer, potentially at an added cost. For custom cabinets, the company or professional working on the design does all the installation, making sure each cabinet fits perfectly into every corner. The good thing about custom cabinets is that the contractor can make slight adjustments if needed. Instead of guessing on the type of wood and finish, the professional can easily match the cabinet to the existing décor or according to the homeowner’s specifications.
Which option should I go for?
Custom kitchen cabinets may fulfill your dream kitchen but attract higher costs of labor and installation. Semi-custom kitchen cabinets are less expensive compared to custom cabinetry but have several limitations when it comes to the quality of material and fit for space. Before diving into the purchase, it is important to make wise choices based on what suits your preferences and current lifestyle. The option to go for will depend on your budget, quality of material, and the design you have in mind.
When choosing kitchen cabinets, it is important to weigh all your options to find one that is ideal for you. Custom cabinets may be the best option for you if there is a slight price difference between the two, as it offers better quality and greater design flexibility.
