Independent Cabinet Buying Guide
How to Compare Kitchen Cabinets: Quality, Prices, Construction & Quotes
Two kitchen cabinet proposals can look similar while representing very different products, services and total project costs. One quote may include plywood cabinet boxes, full-extension soft-close drawers, finished end panels, delivery and installation. Another may use different materials, omit trim and panels, require assembly or leave installation outside the quoted price.
The best way to compare kitchen cabinets is to put each proposal against the same layout and written scope, then compare construction, materials, hardware, finish, storage, warranty, delivery and total installed cost.
Kitchen Cabinet Comparison at a Glance
| What to compare | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Cabinet type | RTA, stock, semi-custom or custom? |
| Cabinet box | What material and thickness? |
| Cabinet back | Full back, thin panel, rails or another structural system? |
| Shelves | What material, thickness and adjustability? |
| Drawers | What material and joinery? |
| Drawer slides | Full extension? Soft close? Load rating? |
| Hinges | Concealed? Adjustable? Soft close? |
| Doors | What material and construction? |
| Finish | Painted, stained, laminate, thermofoil or natural wood? |
| Sizing | Standard sizes or modifications? |
| Accessories | Which organizers and specialty cabinets are included? |
| Warranty | What components are actually covered? |
| Delivery | What does “delivery” actually include? |
| Installation | Exactly what work is included? |
| Total price | What is the complete installed project cost? |
The lowest cabinet price is not necessarily the lowest project cost, and the most expensive cabinet is not automatically the best cabinet. Compare the complete product and complete scope.
On this page
Cabinet Quote Comparison Worksheet
Have two or three cabinet quotes? Compare the details that matter, not just the totals. This worksheet stays in your browser while the page is open; it does not ask for your name or email.
Quote A
Quote details
Cabinet construction
Drawers and hardware
Doors and finish
Project components
Services
Commercial terms
Quote B
Quote details
Cabinet construction
Drawers and hardware
Doors and finish
Project components
Services
Commercial terms
Quote C
Quote details
Cabinet construction
Drawers and hardware
Doors and finish
Project components
Services
Commercial terms
Questions to Clarify Before Choosing
Enter the details from a quote, then review missing specifications and differences.
Start by Comparing the Same Kitchen
The single most important rule when comparing cabinet quotes is simple:
Every bidder should price substantially the same design and scope.
If one company prices 18 cabinets and another prices 22, their totals are not directly comparable.
If one proposal includes a tall pantry, three drawer bases, finished refrigerator panels and crown molding while another substitutes conventional two-door base cabinets and leaves out the decorative work, the difference in price may have little to do with the underlying cabinet quality.
Provide each company with the same:
- measured floor plan
- wall dimensions
- ceiling height
- door locations
- window locations
- appliance locations
- appliance model numbers where available
- desired cabinet layout
- door style direction
- finish direction
- storage requirements
- installation expectations
Ideally, competing cabinet companies should quote the same drawings.
When that is impossible, make sure the layouts accomplish substantially the same thing before comparing the totals.
Compare Cabinet for Cabinet
Review the cabinet schedule rather than looking only at the total.
Ask:
- How many base cabinets?
- How many wall cabinets?
- How many tall cabinets?
- How many drawer bases?
- Is there a pantry?
- Is there an island?
- Are glass doors included?
- Are refrigerator panels included?
- Are finished exposed ends included?
- Is crown molding included?
- Are organizers included?
A proposal that costs several thousand dollars more may actually contain several thousand dollars more cabinetry, trim, storage or labor.
Never compare only the number at the bottom of the page.
Compare Cabinet Types
Before comparing construction, understand what category of cabinet each company is quoting.
There are four broad cabinet supply categories:
Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets
RTA cabinets arrive as components and require assembly before installation.
RTA describes how the cabinet is supplied. It does not automatically establish construction quality.
Stock Cabinets
Stock cabinets are offered from a defined manufacturer's catalog of standard dimensions, styles and finishes.
A stock cabinet may arrive assembled or ready to assemble.
Semi-Custom Cabinets
Semi-custom cabinetry begins with a manufacturer's product system but provides more configurations, finishes, modifications and accessories.
Custom Cabinets
Custom cabinetry is produced to project-specific specifications and generally offers the greatest dimensional and design flexibility.
The category labels do not form a universal quality ranking.
Those categories primarily tell you how products are manufactured, configured and supplied.
A well-constructed RTA or stock cabinet can outperform a poorly constructed product marketed as custom.
Read our Cabinet Types Guide for a deeper look at these categories.
Compare Cabinet Prices Carefully
Cabinet pricing varies substantially according to:
- cabinet type
- geography
- material
- finish
- door construction
- cabinet count
- cabinet height
- project complexity
- accessories
- assembly
- delivery
- installation
A broad price range cannot show what a specific proposal includes. Use the Cabinet Cost Guide to create an initial planning range for your location and choices, then compare written quotes cabinet by cabinet and service by service.
Why Price Per Linear Foot Can Be Misleading
Price per linear foot is useful for early budgeting.
It becomes much less useful for comparing detailed cabinet proposals.
Consider two kitchens containing the same length of cabinetry.
Kitchen A
Contains mostly:
- simple two-door base cabinets
- conventional wall cabinets
- few storage accessories
- limited decorative trim
Kitchen B
Contains:
- large drawer bases
- tall pantry
- trash pullout
- finished refrigerator enclosure
- glass doors
- rollout shelves
- decorative end panels
- ceiling-height crown molding
Both kitchens may contain 20 linear feet of cabinets.
Their costs can be very different.
For a final buying decision, compare the actual cabinet schedule rather than relying only on linear-foot pricing.
Compare the Cabinet Box
One of the best places to begin evaluating cabinet construction is behind the doors.
Ask:
What exactly is the cabinet box made from?
Common materials include:
- plywood
- particleboard
- furniture board
- MDF
- other engineered panels
Do not stop with the material name.
Ask:
- What thickness is used?
- Where is each material used?
- What are the cabinet sides?
- What is the cabinet bottom?
- What is the cabinet back?
- What are the shelves?
- What material is used around the sink cabinet?
- How are exposed edges treated?
Plywood Cabinet Construction
Plywood is manufactured from bonded wood veneers.
Properly specified plywood can provide:
- good structural strength
- good fastener retention
- dimensional stability
- useful moisture resistance characteristics depending on construction
But the word "plywood" does not tell you everything.
Compare:
- thickness
- core
- veneer
- construction
- where it is actually used
A cabinet described as having a "plywood box" may still use another material for:
- shelves
- backs
- doors
- drawer bottoms
- panels
Ask for the actual product specification.
Furniture Board and Particleboard
Particleboard and furniture board are engineered panels made from wood particles bonded with resin under heat and pressure.
Quality varies considerably.
Well-engineered higher-density products used appropriately can provide satisfactory cabinet performance.
Compare:
- density
- thickness
- fastener system
- edge sealing
- structural design
- moisture exposure
Do not reject a cabinet simply because one component is engineered wood.
Instead determine where it is used and whether the construction is appropriate.
MDF
Medium-density fiberboard is made from fine wood fibers bonded into a dense panel.
MDF provides:
- a very smooth surface
- good dimensional uniformity
- predictable machining
- an excellent substrate for many painted applications
This is one reason MDF is commonly used for painted cabinet doors and panels.
MDF's presence does not automatically mean a cabinet is low quality.
Different cabinet components may intentionally use different materials.
Learn more about plywood, MDF, particleboard, and other cabinet materials.
Composite-Wood Documentation
For cabinets containing regulated composite wood products sold in the United States, consumers can ask suppliers about applicable TSCA Title VI documentation.
EPA regulations cover applicable:
- hardwood plywood
- MDF
- particleboard
and finished goods containing regulated composite wood products.
See the EPA consumer guidance on TSCA Title VI for the regulated product categories and documentation context.
This is a documentation/compliance point, not a substitute for evaluating overall cabinet construction.
Compare the Cabinet Back
The cabinet back receives much less attention than the door but can matter structurally and during installation.
Cabinet back systems vary.
Examples include:
- substantial full backs
- thinner full backs
- backs reinforced with structural hanging rails
- frameless structural mounting systems
- combinations of back panels and rails
Ask:
- What is the back made from?
- How thick is it?
- How is it attached?
- Where are the cabinet's structural mounting points?
- How is the cabinet secured to the wall?
Do not automatically assume the thickest back means the best cabinet.
Evaluate the complete structural system.
Compare Cabinet Shelves
Cabinet shelves may hold:
- dishes
- cookware
- pantry goods
- small appliances
They need adequate stiffness and support.
Ask:
- What are the shelves made from?
- How thick are they?
- Are they full depth?
- Are they adjustable?
- What type of shelf pins are used?
- Are exposed edges finished?
- What is the intended load capacity?
Long shelves generally require greater stiffness than shorter shelves.
If examining a showroom cabinet, physically inspect the shelf rather than evaluating only the doors.
Compare Drawer Construction
Kitchen drawers are used constantly.
Inspect:
Drawer Material
Possible materials include:
- hardwood
- plywood
- engineered wood
- metal systems
- combinations
Drawer Joinery
Common approaches include:
- dovetail
- dowel
- mechanical fasteners
- engineered locking systems
- metal drawer systems
Dovetail construction is often associated with higher-quality wood drawers because the joint mechanically interlocks the sides.
However, dovetails alone do not determine drawer quality.
Also inspect:
- drawer-side thickness
- drawer bottom
- bottom attachment
- slide quality
- fit
- alignment
- finish
A dovetailed drawer riding on poor hardware can still perform poorly.
Compare Drawer Slides
Drawer-slide systems affect how the cabinetry feels every day.
Full Extension
Full-extension slides allow much greater access to items at the rear of the drawer.
Soft Close
Soft-close hardware slows the drawer near the end of its travel and pulls it closed.
Undermount
Undermount slides are concealed beneath the drawer.
Side Mount
Side-mounted slides remain visible along the sides.
The mounting location alone does not establish quality.
Ask:
- Who manufactures the slide?
- What model is used?
- What is the load rating?
- Is it full extension?
- Does it include soft close?
- What adjustments are available?
- Are replacements readily available?
- What warranty applies?
Whenever possible, use the showroom drawer.
Open and close it repeatedly.
Notice:
- smoothness
- sound
- resistance
- side-to-side movement
- closing action
Compare Cabinet Hinges
A cabinet door can look beautiful but perform poorly if the hinge system is inadequate.
Look for:
- concealed design where desired
- multiple adjustment directions
- soft close
- appropriate opening angle
- secure mounting
- readily available replacement hardware
Ask for the hinge manufacturer when practical.
Open large doors completely.
Then close them slowly and observe alignment with adjacent doors.
Independent Cabinet Performance Testing
For factory-manufactured cabinets, one useful comparison point is whether the exact cabinet line participates in recognized independent performance certification.
The ANSI/KCMA A161.1 Quality Certification program evaluates cabinets using tests addressing:
- structural integrity
- wall-cabinet loading
- door operation
- drawer operation
- shelving
- finish performance
KCMA states that certification includes 14 tests, including repeated operation of doors and drawers and a 600-pound wall-cabinet load test.
Treat certification as one useful data point.
Certification is one useful comparison point. It does not establish that uncertified cabinetry is poor quality or that any certified product is automatically the best fit for a particular kitchen.
Custom cabinetry and smaller shops may use different quality-control approaches.
See KCMA’s certification overview for the program and test categories.
Compare Framed and Frameless Cabinets
Cabinet boxes generally use one of two broad approaches.
Framed Cabinets
A face frame is attached to the front of the cabinet box.
Doors and hinges attach to or interact with this frame.
Potential characteristics include:
- traditional construction
- strong front structure
- different overlay styles
- familiar North American cabinet appearance
Frameless Cabinets
Frameless cabinets eliminate the traditional front face frame.
Doors generally attach directly to the cabinet sides.
Potential characteristics include:
- wider cabinet openings
- efficient interior access
- full-overlay doors
- modern appearance
Neither system is automatically better.
A high-quality framed cabinet and a high-quality frameless cabinet can both provide excellent performance.
Evaluate construction quality within the system.
Compare Cabinet Doors
Cabinet doors create much of the kitchen's visible appearance.
Do not judge construction solely from the outside.
Ask:
- What is the door frame made from?
- What is the center panel?
- Is it solid wood?
- Veneered?
- MDF?
- Thermofoil?
- Laminate?
- How thick is it?
- How is it assembled?
Different materials can be appropriate for different designs and finishes.
For example, MDF may be intentionally used in some painted doors because its smooth, consistent surface can work well under paint.
Compare Painted Cabinets
Painted cabinetry should be compared on more than color.
Ask:
- What is underneath the paint?
- How is the surface prepared?
- How is the coating applied?
- Is it sprayed?
- What finish system is used?
- How is it cured?
- What sheen is used?
- How should it be cleaned?
- Is a touch-up system available?
- Can a replacement door be matched later?
Natural wood expands and contracts with environmental conditions.
On painted wood doors, seasonal movement may make joints more visible.
Consumers should understand this before interpreting every visible joint as a manufacturing defect.
Always request a physical finish sample where possible.
Evaluate it under:
- natural daylight
- overhead lighting
- under-cabinet lighting
- evening lighting
Place it beside:
- countertop
- flooring
- backsplash
- wall paint
Compare Stained and Natural Wood Cabinets
Wood species differ in:
- grain
- hardness
- color
- pattern
- natural variation
- stain absorption
Common cabinet species include:
- maple
- red oak
- white oak
- cherry
- hickory
- alder
- walnut
Two doors made from the same natural wood species will not necessarily appear identical.
Natural variation is part of real wood.
When comparing stained cabinets, request a physical sample representing:
- actual species
- stain
- topcoat
- sheen
See cabinet door styles and examples before selecting a profile.
Compare Cabinet Sizes
Cabinet sizing is one of the areas where different cabinet categories can create meaningful differences.
RTA and stock systems generally rely more heavily on predetermined sizes.
Semi-custom systems commonly provide more configurations and modifications.
Custom cabinets can potentially be manufactured around project-specific measurements.
Ask:
- What widths are offered?
- What heights are offered?
- Can width be modified?
- Can depth be modified?
- Are reduced-depth cabinets available?
- Can wall cabinets reach a particular ceiling height?
- Can tall cabinets be modified?
- Can stiles be extended?
- Which modifications cost extra?
More size flexibility can potentially provide:
- fewer fillers
- improved symmetry
- increased storage
- better appliance integration
However, do not pay for customization your room does not require.
A standard-size cabinet line may work perfectly well in a conventional layout.
Understand Cabinet Fillers
Fillers are finished strips installed between cabinets, appliances or walls.
Fillers are normal.
They may be necessary because:
- walls are not perfectly straight
- walls are not perfectly square
- doors need opening clearance
- drawers need clearance
- appliance doors need space
- trim needs space
The issue is not whether fillers exist.
The better question is:
Are these fillers necessary, or are cabinet-size limitations creating unnecessary unused space?
Ask the designer to identify every filler on the plan.
Pay particular attention near:
- walls
- inside corners
- refrigerators
- tall cabinets
- appliance openings
Compare Storage Accessories
Storage accessories can dramatically affect both cabinet functionality and cabinet price.
Examples include:
- rollout shelves
- deep drawers
- pullout waste systems
- spice pullouts
- tray dividers
- cutlery organizers
- blind-corner systems
- lazy Susans
- pantry pullouts
- mixer lifts
- charging drawers
Make sure competing quotes include substantially the same accessories.
A pantry containing an expensive pullout mechanism should not be directly compared with a pantry containing fixed shelves.
Compare Exposed Cabinet Ends
Finished cabinet ends are easy to overlook.
Ask how visible cabinet sides will be treated.
Possible approaches include:
- factory-finished cabinet sides
- skins
- flush finished ends
- decorative panels
- matching door-style panels
A lower quote might simply omit panels shown in another design.
Review every visible cabinet side on the drawings.
Compare Moldings, Toe Kicks and Trim
Confirm whether the proposal includes:
- crown molding
- light rail
- toe kick
- base molding
- fillers
- scribes
- refrigerator panels
- finished panels
- decorative legs
- valances
- island panels
These items can add significant material and installation expense.
A quote should clearly identify them.
Compare Assembly Costs
This is especially important when comparing an RTA cabinet quote with a preassembled cabinet quote.
An RTA cabinet package may initially appear substantially less expensive.
Add:
- assembly labor
- delivery
- installation
- trim work
- replacement-parts logistics
before comparing totals.
Request separate numbers when possible for:
- Cabinets
- Freight/delivery
- Assembly
- Installation
- Trim/finish carpentry
Compare Delivery
Ask exactly what delivery means.
Questions include:
- Is freight included?
- Is residential delivery included?
- Is lift-gate service included?
- Are cabinets carried inside?
- Are they delivered to the garage?
- Are they left curbside?
- Who checks the order?
- Who reports freight damage?
- What is the deadline to report damage?
- Where are cabinets stored before installation?
There is a major service difference between:
Pallets delivered to the driveway
and
Cabinets carried into the home, organized and inspected.
Make sure competing quotes describe the same service.
Compare Lead Times
Cabinet lead times depend on:
- cabinet category
- manufacturer
- inventory
- finish
- modifications
- complexity
- shipping
- current manufacturing schedule
Warehoused RTA and stock cabinetry may be available sooner.
Semi-custom products generally require manufacturing time.
Custom cabinetry generally involves design, approval, manufacturing and finishing.
Do not demolish a functional kitchen merely because the order acknowledgement shows an estimated ship date.
When practical, confirm that cabinets:
- arrived
- were counted
- were inspected
- match the order
- are free of critical damage
before demolition begins.
Compare Cabinet Installation
Excellent cabinetry can produce a poor finished result when installation is inadequate.
Buildings are rarely perfect.
Installers often need to deal with:
- uneven floors
- walls that are not plumb
- walls that are not straight
- corners that are not square
Professional cabinet installation may involve:
- layout
- leveling
- shimming
- fastening
- cabinet alignment
- panel fitting
- scribing
- door adjustment
- drawer adjustment
- molding
- trim
Ask:
Who installs the cabinets?
Then ask:
Who is responsible if the cabinets do not fit the measured space?
This becomes particularly important when:
- one company measures
- another company supplies
- a third company installs
Responsibility should be clear before the order is placed.
Compare the Installation Scope
Every quote should identify what is included and excluded.
Potential items include:
- field measurement
- design
- existing cabinet removal
- demolition
- debris disposal
- wall preparation
- plumbing disconnection
- electrical work
- cabinet assembly
- delivery
- cabinet installation
- crown installation
- toe kicks
- decorative panels
- knobs and pulls
- hardware installation
- appliance installation
- countertop preparation
A lower bid may simply contain less work.
Compare Cabinet Warranties
Do not evaluate a warranty only by its headline number.
A "lifetime warranty" sounds impressive.
What matters is what the warranty actually covers.
Ask about:
- cabinet boxes
- doors
- drawer fronts
- finish
- hinges
- slides
- drawer boxes
- manufacturing defects
- labor
- shipping for replacement parts
Also ask:
Who handles the warranty claim?
Possibilities include:
- manufacturer
- dealer
- retailer
- contractor
- installer
Read exclusions.
A warranty may exclude damage caused by:
- excessive moisture
- environmental conditions
- improper cleaning
- improper installation
- misuse
- normal material movement
The details matter.
Ask About Replacement Parts
A kitchen can remain in place for decades.
Ask what happens if years later you:
- damage a door
- damage a drawer front
- need another shelf
- break a hinge
- need a new drawer slide
Can individual components still be ordered?
For custom cabinetry ask whether the shop retains:
- project drawings
- dimensions
- door profiles
- finish formulas
- specifications
Future service is part of the overall value of the cabinetry.
Cabinet Quote Comparison Checklist
Use this checklist alongside the interactive worksheet above.
Product
- Manufacturer
- Product line
- Cabinet category
- Framed or frameless
Cabinet Box
- Side material
- Side thickness
- Bottom material
- Back material
- Back construction
- Shelf material
- Shelf thickness
Drawers
- Drawer material
- Drawer-side thickness
- Joinery
- Drawer-bottom construction
- Full extension
- Soft close
- Slide manufacturer
- Slide load rating
Hinges
- Manufacturer
- Soft close
- Adjustment
- Opening angle
Doors
- Door style
- Frame material
- Center-panel material
- Door thickness
- Overlay / inset
Finish
- Paint / stain / laminate / thermofoil
- Finish sample
- Sheen
- Touch-up availability
Layout
- Base cabinet count
- Wall cabinet count
- Tall cabinet count
- Drawer bases
- Pantry
- Island
- Refrigerator enclosure
- Appliance panels
- Finished ends
Storage
- Rollouts
- Trash pullout
- Corner storage
- Spice storage
- Tray dividers
- Organizers
Trim
- Fillers
- Scribes
- Crown
- Toe kick
- Light rail
- Decorative panels
Services
- Measurement
- Design
- Delivery
- Assembly
- Demolition
- Installation
- Trim installation
- Hardware installation
- Disposal
Commercial Terms
- Cabinet cost
- Delivery
- Assembly
- Installation
- Tax
- Deposit
- Payment schedule
- Current lead time
- Warranty
- Replacement-parts policy
- Damage policy
- Change-order policy
Cabinet Quote Red Flags
Vague descriptions are prompts for clarification, not proof that a provider has done anything wrong. Ask each bidder to define the following terms in writing.
"Wood Cabinets"
Ask:
- Which components are wood?
- What species?
- Solid wood?
- Plywood?
- Veneer?
- Engineered wood?
"Plywood Construction"
Ask which components are plywood:
- sides?
- bottoms?
- backs?
- shelves?
- sink cabinet?
"Soft Close Included"
Ask:
- drawers?
- doors?
- both?
- which hardware manufacturer?
"Installation Included"
Ask whether it includes:
- cabinet assembly
- delivery
- trim
- panels
- fillers
- molding
- hardware installation
- removal
"Custom Cabinets"
Ask:
What exactly is custom?
Possibilities:
- size
- depth
- finish
- door
- materials
- construction
- storage
A category label should never replace the actual product specification.
Should You Always Buy the Most Expensive Cabinet?
No.
The best cabinet for a project depends on:
- budget
- room
- expected use
- desired appearance
- construction requirements
- storage
- design flexibility
- project schedule
- warranty
- local service
Examples:
Rental Property
Priorities may include:
- durability
- cost
- cleanability
- replacement availability
Long-Term Primary Kitchen
Priorities might include:
- drawer hardware
- finish quality
- storage
- ergonomics
- long-term service
Luxury Architectural Project
Priorities may include:
- exact dimensions
- specialty finishes
- furniture-quality details
- appliance integration
- architectural millwork
There is no single cabinet product appropriate for every project.
Compare Total Value, Not Just Purchase Price
Compare both the complete project cost and the value of what is included:
TOTAL PROJECT COST
Cabinets
- Freight
- Delivery
- Assembly
- Installation
- Trim
- Accessories
- Removal
= Comparable Project Cost
TOTAL VALUE
Construction
- Appearance
- Design Flexibility
- Storage
- Warranty
- Service
- Expected Performance
A cabinet that costs 10% less initially may not be less expensive if assembly, delivery, panels and installation are missing.
Likewise, a more expensive cabinet does not automatically provide better value if the additional features are irrelevant to the project.
35 Questions to Ask Every Cabinet Supplier
Keep these questions with your plans and ask every supplier to answer them against the same scope.
- What manufacturer am I buying?
- What exact product line?
- Is it RTA, stock, semi-custom or custom?
- Is it framed or frameless?
- What are the cabinet sides made from?
- How thick are the cabinet sides?
- What is the cabinet back made from?
- How is the cabinet mounted to the wall?
- What are the shelves made from?
- How thick are the shelves?
- What are the drawer boxes made from?
- How are drawer corners joined?
- How is the drawer bottom constructed?
- Are the drawer slides full extension?
- Are drawers soft close?
- Who manufactures the drawer slides?
- Are hinges soft close?
- Who manufactures the hinges?
- Is this exact product line independently performance certified?
- What are the doors made from?
- How is the finish applied?
- Can I see a physical finish sample?
- What cabinet sizes are available?
- What size modifications are available?
- What modifications cost extra?
- Which storage accessories are included?
- Are exposed ends finished?
- Are decorative panels included?
- Are fillers included?
- Are moldings and toe kicks included?
- Is delivery included?
- Is assembly included?
- Is installation included?
- What happens if something arrives damaged?
- What is excluded from this quote?
If a supplier can answer these questions clearly, you will understand far more about what you are purchasing than you can learn from the cabinet door sample alone.
Which Cabinet Quote Should You Choose?
Before deciding, check:
Are the designs equivalent?
Are cabinet counts equivalent?
Is construction comparable?
Are materials comparable?
Are drawers and hardware comparable?
Are finishes comparable?
Are storage accessories comparable?
Are panels and moldings comparable?
Does each quote contain equivalent delivery and installation?
Are the warranties comparable?
Once these are normalized, you can determine which differences justify additional cost for their project.
Before Requesting Cabinet Quotes
Before requesting quotes, prepare:
- room measurements
- ceiling height
- photographs
- appliance model numbers
- preferred layout
- cabinet type
- preferred style
- finish direction
- storage priorities
- preliminary budget
- project timing
Use the Cabinet Cost Guide to set a planning budget, review cabinet types, materials, and styles, then organize your choices in the Project Builder.
Frequently Asked Questions About Comparing Kitchen Cabinets
How can I tell if kitchen cabinets are good quality?
Look beyond the cabinet door. Compare box material and thickness, cabinet backs, shelves, drawer construction, drawer bottoms, slides, hinges, finish, dimensional options, warranty and replacement-part availability. When applicable, recognized independent performance certification can provide another useful comparison point.
Is plywood always better than particleboard?
No. Material is only one part of cabinet construction. Panel thickness, density, structural engineering, edge treatment, hardware, fasteners and moisture exposure also matter. Compare the complete cabinet specification.
Are custom cabinets always better?
No. Custom describes the ability to manufacture cabinetry to project-specific specifications. It does not automatically establish superior materials, hardware, finishing or workmanship.
Are RTA cabinets low quality?
No. RTA means ready to assemble. Quality varies from inexpensive entry-level products to substantially better cabinet systems. Compare actual construction.
Is stock the same as RTA?
No. Stock describes a standardized product offering. RTA describes how the cabinet is delivered. A stock cabinet can also be an RTA cabinet.
What is the most important cabinet feature to compare?
There is no single feature. At minimum compare box construction, shelves, drawers, slides, hinges, doors, finish, available sizing, warranty and installed scope.
Are dovetail drawers better?
Dovetail joints provide a strong mechanical method for joining wood drawer sides and are frequently associated with better cabinetry. However, drawer material, bottom construction and slide quality also matter.
Does soft close mean cabinets are high quality?
No. Soft close is a desirable convenience feature but does not by itself establish cabinet quality. Compare the hardware manufacturer, slide construction, adjustment and overall cabinet.
Should cabinet quotes include installation?
Not necessarily. Some companies quote cabinets only while others include delivery, assembly and installation. The quote should clearly identify what is included.
Why are my cabinet quotes so different?
Potential reasons include different cabinet counts, materials, cabinet construction, drawers, hardware, finishes, accessories, panels, moldings, delivery, assembly and installation. Compare scope line by line.
What should I compare besides price?
Compare construction, design, sizing, storage, appearance, finish, hardware, warranty, lead time, replacement parts, installation and service.
Should I get multiple cabinet estimates?
Multiple estimates can provide useful context when each company is pricing substantially the same project. Completely different designs do not create an apples-to-apples comparison.
Should I compare cabinets by linear foot?
Linear-foot pricing is useful for initial budgeting. For final comparison, use an itemized cabinet schedule because drawer bases, tall cabinets, decorative panels and accessories can dramatically affect price.
What costs are commonly excluded from cabinet quotes?
Potential exclusions include freight, assembly, demolition, installation, moldings, decorative panels, fillers, hardware installation, plumbing, electrical work and debris removal.
Should I select appliances before finalizing cabinets?
Whenever possible, final cabinet design should incorporate actual appliance specifications, particularly for built-in, integrated and panel-ready appliances.
What happens if cabinets arrive damaged?
Ask before purchasing. Understand inspection deadlines, freight-damage reporting, replacement procedures and expected replacement timing.
How important is the cabinet warranty?
Warranty is useful, but coverage matters more than the headline term. Determine which components are covered, what is excluded, who handles claims and whether labor or freight for replacements is covered.
What does KCMA certification mean?
The ANSI/KCMA A161.1 Quality Certification program tests participating cabinet products for structural integrity, door and drawer operation, shelving, and finish performance. Certification is a useful data point, but it is not mandatory for all quality cabinetry. See KCMA’s program information.
How do I compare cabinet installation quotes?
Make sure each installer is pricing the same cabinet count and installation scope. Determine whether leveling, fastening, fillers, scribes, panels, moldings, hardware and adjustments are included.
What questions should I ask a cabinet installer?
Ask who verifies final dimensions, who is responsible for fit issues, what trim is included, whether assembly is included, who handles damaged components and what workmanship warranty applies.
Compare Cabinets With Confidence
The best cabinet decision starts with understanding exactly what each proposal includes. Compare construction, hardware, materials, finishes, storage, installation and warranty using the same project scope. When you're ready, use CabinetSupply to estimate your budget, organize your project and find cabinet professionals serving your area.