Hal Major © 2009
BobVilaContractors.com
Kitchen remodeling is one of the best returns on investments a homeowner can make. A kitchen makeover has an average return of 91% according to the National Association of Realtors 2005 Cost vs. Value Report. And, that return has continued to grow each year.
One of the primary components in a kitchen remodel is the cabinets. Without great kitchen cabinets, a kitchen is a bedroom with a range and refrigerator. There are two categories of kitchen cabinets: Custom-built and In-stock.
In-stock cabinets
In-stock kitchen cabinets come in pre-determined sizes, wood types and colors. The term "in-stock" doesn't necessarily mean that a home improvement center will have every pre-made cabinet in a catalog in stock. However, the manufacturer or distributor does and can have them to you in a week or two.
The choices in today's in-stock cabinets is huge and the quality runs anywhere from very inexpensive to moderately high. The advantage of using in-stock kitchen cabinets is rapid availability and lower cost than custom cabinets.
The downside is you usually can't have a color or wood that isn't in the catalog. The in-stock cabinets come in pre-set sizes. Therefore, if you need custom fit or feature cabinets for your kitchen-remodeling project you will need to look at the next category, custom-built.
The in-stock cabinets can be made of composition-board with a wood or vinyl veneer, less expensive and softer wood like pine, or hardwoods such as oak and mahogany. It can be difficult sometimes to match the available colors and woods to existing decor in the room. For example, the sideboard that is a family heirloom or the wood trim in the house.
Custom-built cabinets
Custom-built kitchen cabinets give you control of every aspect and feature of each cabinet. You choose the materials for the exterior and interior of the cabinets. You specify the size and color of each cabinet. Mixing dark and light colored woods is very popular in new kitchens. In many cases, you can even tell the cabinetmaker the type of joints you want them to use for the drawers and cabinet doors.
Do you want some of the cabinets to be extra tall? Maybe you want the number of shelves to be different in each cabinet. A drawer made especially for silverware or cooking utensils. Would you like a cabinet with a built-in wineglass rack? That is the one advantage of getting custom-built kitchen cabinets. Another is they are built to fit the space without filler boards and gaps.
The cons are few. The time it takes to get your cabinets can be months depending on how many cabinets you need. How many people the cabinetmaker has and the materials you choose for the cabinets. The cost can also be an issue depending on your budget.
Replacing your kitchen cabinets should be a significant part of your remodeling budget. Moreover, to make sure they are installed properly, hire a reputable contractor with experience in installing kitchen cabinets.
