Pros and Cons of Stocked Cabinets

Selecting cabinets for a new kitchen or a remodel involves many choices. One choice, with a significant effect on your budget will be manufacturing styles. Stock kitchen cabinets will be one of the manufacturing styles you can choose.

Cabinets are sold in several manufacturing styles. Your choice of one of four manufacturing styles will directly affect the cost of your new kitchen. The cabinets account for 40% – 50% of the total cost of your kitchen.

Knock-down (KD) cabinets are the least expensive. They are in stock in most cabinet or home improvement stores and can be taken home immediately. In many cases, homeowners are able to install the knock-down cabinets without the assistance of a professional.

Stock kitchen cabinets are mass-produced in a factory. This achieves the greatest efficiency in production because they are always made only in standard sizes. Stock cabinets are also available in only limited styles and finishes.

Semi-custom cabinets are also available only in standard sizes. They are, however, available in more finishes and styles than stock cabinets. They also offer options for the interiors, including organizational devices and some accessibility options.

Custom cabinetry is sometimes available from cabinet companies. More often, however, custom cabinet are built to order by local cabinet makers. Custom work allows you to get exactly what you want in terms of wood, finish, measurements, sizes, interior options, customized door designs and more.

Stock cabinets are an economical option for most homeowners who cannot afford to install custom cabinetry but want cabinets in one of the more popular styles and kitchen design motifs. If they are made well, they can be a wonderful option.

Stock cabinets are available in standard sizes. What does this mean?

1. The standard height for a floor-mounted cabinet is 34½ inches. With a countertop added, the work surface is 35 inches above the floor.
2. Wall-mounted cabinets are between 12 and 30 inches high, depending upon the space available. Your choice can also be influenced by whether you want the cabinets to go to the ceiling.
3. Floor-mounted cabinets extend 24 inches deep. Wall-mounted units are 12 inches deep.

The standard units available in “standard sizes” are:

• Base unit
• Drawer base
• Sink base
• Blind corner base
• Corner base
• Corner carousel
• Drop-in range base
• Wall unit
• Tall cabinet (oven, broom closet, pantry)

The width of cabinets ranges between nine and 48 inches, in increments of three inches. This enables homeowners to choose stock kitchen cabinets for most projects.

Stock cabinets are generally available in only a few different wood choices. Often a mid-range wood will be used to make all cabinets. The finished cabinetry is then stained to reproduce the color of a more expensive wood or it is painted white or black (sometimes other colors).

A somewhat limited number of door panel styles are available. For example, there might be only one style of frame and panel, one style of raised panel and one style of flat panel.

The most important characteristic of stock kitchen cabinets is construction. Before you buy cabinets, it is important to check for several markers of solid construction:

• The best construction will use dovetail drawer and cabinet corners (no nails, glue or staples).
• Drawers should be sturdy enough to support at least 75 pounds.
• The case of the cabinet should be ½ inch thick or more.
• The interior of the cabinets and drawers should be finished.
• Adjustable shelves need to be 5/8 inch thick or more.
• Good hinges.

Check construction of the cabinets, measure your kitchen carefully and look for the finish and style you want for your kitchen. You might find that well made stock kitchen cabinets are the perfect choice for your new kitchen.

Scott Dostal is the President of Kitchen Cabinet Value, LLC, Clinton Township, MI, serving homeowners and real estate investors throughout SE Michigan. His company specializes in modifying structurally sound inexpensive kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities to look like cabinetry found in high value homes. To find out more how to buy stock kitchen cabinets that contain the quality and look of expensive custom cabinets at a fraction of the price, get his free report at http://freereport.kitchencabinetvalue.com.

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