If you’re planning an entire kitchen remodel by starting from scratch, or replacing your existing cabinetry, choosing new kitchen cabinets is a huge job. Cabinets sold by big retailers and cabinet makers who make custom cabinets in Tucson AZ differ in design, price, and quality. Thus, one should be able to identify the possible pitfalls in determining the difference between the difference of stock vs custom cabinets.
What are the accurate ways to determine which cabinets are the perfect choice for your kitchen remodel? This article will explain the differences and explain the way your cabinet selection affects costs, work high-end, and the overall appearance of your kitchen cabinets.
Understanding the difference between custom and stock cabinets is vital as they are both excellent options for kitchen remodeling subject to the scope of the project. Each has its own combination of advantages and disadvantages that this post will explain in simple, easy terms.
Stock Vs Custom Cabinets | Introduction
Before going through the major differences between stock and custom cabinets in Tucson AZ, one must know what they actually are.
What Are Stock Cabinets?
Stock cabinets are pre-made manufactured products that have no possibilities for customization. When you buy stock cabinets what you see is the one you’re taking home.
The major brands such as Home Depot are all good sources to learn the workings of stock cabinets. Custom cabinet makers in Tucson AZ can offer stock cabinets, and they may pre-manufacture their most well-known products and then have them ready for quick delivery. However, more often than not it’s the franchises that have the ability to mass-produce that have stock catalogs.
What Are Custom Cabinets?
Like the name implies such cabinets are custom designed to meet your individual requirements, no matter what they might be. Through collaboration with a competent designer you can design your kitchen’s style to suit your lifestyle.
Stock Vs Custom Cabinets | Major Differences
Now on, we will discuss a few points and compare stock vs custom cabinets.
Shapes & Sizes Of Cabinets
When it comes to differentiating stock vs custom cabinets, shapes and sizes are the first and the most major difference.
Stock Cabinets
Stock cabinets are available in predetermined sizes and shapes, and you need to pick the right cabinets for your kitchen space. While these set sizes could differ from one retailer to the next, there are some industry-wide guidelines you can anticipate.
With regard to width, standard cabinetry is typically 9 inches wide and increases in increments of 3 inches. The largest size that is available is typically 48 inches wide. For height, stock cabinets are typically 30 inches to 36 inches high.
For those with oddly shaped kitchens, creating cabinets together with only predetermined sizes isn’t always straightforward. It can be like playing an endless game of Tetris, trying to get the stock cabinets in your space to the perfect size!
In addition to the standard dimensions, stock cabinets are made to the quality specifications of the manufacturer’s specifications.
Custom Cabinets
When you’re shopping for a custom cabinet in Tucson AZ starting with a blank page. Everything including the cabinet materials, dimensions and construction, color and the finish can be altered to fit your personal preferences.
Then, corners with odd shapes and extremely tall ceilings are easy to deal with. Since best custom cabinets in Tucson AZ are built by hand on a case-by -case basis, they generally have the longest time-to-market.
Durability Of Cabinets
When differentiating stock vs custom cabinets, durability comparison always comes in second.
Stock Cabinets
Generally speaking, stock cabinets are typically a retailer’s most basic entry-level product. This means that the materials and construction techniques employed are likely to be low-cost and of low-end quality. For instance, it’s difficult to find cabinets that are stock in cherry, a costly wood species that is almost always an upgrade opportunity in the world of custom cabinets.
Instead, you can expect stock cabinetry to be constructed using inexpensive materials like plywood, melamine, veneers, basic joinery, and basic hardware.
Cabinets that are stock aren’t always poor quality items, but they could be. If you’re buying stock make sure you do your homework when you research the cabinet’s design. Saving money up front isn’t worth the risk if you’ll be forced to shell out a lot for repair and replacement parts later on the road.
Custom Cabinets
Custom cabinets in Tucson AZ can be made with the same components as stock cabinets, however the difference is that you’re not restricted to these materials. Custom cabinetry can be constructed using any material you’d like such as authentic wood choices like cherry, maple, oak alder and highly sought-after engineered products like thermofoil and acrylic.
Since you’re the one in charge, the quality of your custom cabinets is yours to decide. You can opt to give a worn and distressed finish to your cabinets. You can double-stack cabinets or use bulkheads to extend up to the ceiling.
Costs Of Cabinets Per Linear Foot
When it comes to differentiating stock vs custom cabinets, Costs are something that can never be ignored!
Cost Of Stock Cabinets Per Linear Foot
You might also be wondering what is the cost of stock cabinet per linear foot? The answer is that the cost of a stock cabinet is between $160 and $380 per linear ft. For a kitchen that is average size the majority of homeowners will spend anywhere from $3,000 and $10,000 on a standard cabinet design. However, they are just approximate calculations. Prices are always based on the vendor at the time of sale.
Cost Of Custom Cabinets Per Linear Foot
Naturally, the ability to customize your cabinetry comes with more price. The cost of custom cabinets per linear foot will typically be more than standard cabinetry.
Custom-designed cabinet costs are difficult to estimate since it all depends on your personal preferences. For instance, cabinets that have interiors made of melamine will cost less than original wood. This simple choice could make hundreds, or even thousands, off the final cost.
The cost of custom cabinets per linear foot can range from $600 to $2500 depending on the material as well as the finishes, styles and accessories you select. It’s clear that there’s a huge spectrum. In a way, it’s positive. The amount you invest is entirely up to you.
Cabinets Installation Costs
When it comes to differentiating stock vs custom cabinets, installation costs are also comparable.
Stock Cabinet Installation Costs
It is important to remember that although stock cabinets are pre-assembled, they still require installation. Installation isn’t included with the stock cabinets. If you’re not a handyman you’ll likely need to contract an independent contractor to put in your cabinets. Make sure you allocate a part of your budget for cabinets to cover competent installation of your cabinets.
Custom Cabinets Installation Costs
Again, the cost of installation will depend on the way in which the cabinet maker operates. At MYK’s Woodworking, we offer free installation of custom cabinets. So, the client does not need to fear paying extra for installation.
It is recommended that prospective cabinet suppliers consult prior to the installation procedure.
Advantages Of Cabinets
When it comes to differentiating stock vs custom cabinets, the last thing we would discuss is their advantages based on all their comparisons.
Why Choose Stock Cabinets
The primary benefit of using stock cabinets is the quick lead time. Many retailers have stock cabinets, packed flat and in stock, to allow you to take them home or request them for delivery on the next day. If they are not readily available, you can still expect stock cabinets to arrive much quicker than custom cabinets.
Why Choose Custom Cabinets
When it comes to custom-cabinets, there are no two kitchens ever the same. The advantage of purchasing custom cabinets is that the manufacturers generally work with well-qualified installation teams. If you purchase stock cabinets, it is your responsibility to hire a professional to set up each cabinet, while custom cabinet makers typically offer a more comprehensive service that includes installers and designers available.
Stock Vs Custom Cabinets
Selecting kitchen cabinets is among the most crucial decisions to make in any kitchen remodeling project. When you are weighing your options between stock vs custom cabinets, make sure you take your time to choose any one that best suits you.
Stock cabinets are more appealing than you can imagine in terms of price and availability. Custom cabinets provide more design flexibility as well as an installer and designer and superior quality.
The last decision is always yours. We leave it to deciding whether custom cabinets are better or stock ones. However, If you decide to go with custom cabinets in Tucson AZ, we’re here for you at MYK’s woodworking. With more than a decade of expertise, we offer our customers a totally customized experience with our skilled staff of cabinet makers In Tucson Arizona and the surrounding areas.