Table of Contents
When choosing kitchen cabinets, the beginning is knowing that you need some place to put all your kitchen stuff. However, if you are replacing cabinets, the place to start is enumerating the reasons why you need to replace them.
In many cases, existing cabinets that are in good structural condition can be refinished or refaced for replacements. You have to be clear about your goals. Are you replacing them because they are too deep, or they don’t give you enough storage space? Maybe the material or design is hard to keep clean, or you really don’t like the style. Whatever the reasons, you need to define what you want, how you intend to use them. You have to change in order to choose the right cabinets for your kitchen.
Another consideration before you even start shopping around is your purpose for changing the cabinets. Is it for your own use, or are you planning to sell the house soon? The big difference between the first and second scenario that you only have to consult your personal style and preference for the first, while you have to consider what is trending among homebuyers so you can pick out the cabinets they are likely to want. The cost will also come into it, as you want to minimize it for cabinets compromising their desirability.
Now that you know the reasons for putting in new cabinets, you can start planning and designing them.
Planning and design
Unless you are interior designer or professional house-flipper, you probably don’t know the difference between types of cabinets. You need to do some research.
The best way to plan and design your new cabinets is to gather raw data. Check online for kitchen cabinet designs and pin those that catch your fancy to a personal board. When you’re done, or you’re running out of time, check which ones really appeal to you.
The next step is to see if the styles you choose will actually go with the existing design and color scheme of your kitchen. If it doesn’t, and you still want it, then you have to consider changing the style of your kitchen, and the attendant costs.
It can be difficult to visualize how certain cabinets will look in an existing kitchen. You may have to consult with a professional to help you do it. An excellent alternative is to ask us for a free consultation and 3D design at no obligation. Seriously.
Next, check which manufacturers carry certain cabinets styles, and find out more about them. Most brands will give a pretty comprehensive description of their products, and also where to find them. Cabinets City is an excellent source of many of these top brands. You should keep that in mind when shopping for the look you like.
An important factor in all this, of course, is cost. Most of the designs that will appeal to you may be beyond your budget.You may have to compromise between style and construction. If you want sturdy construction, may have to forgo more complex cabinet designs, high-end embellishments, and specialty hardware. That said, it is perfectly possible to find reasonably durable cabinets in great styles that come with a warranty within your budget.
Space considerations
Next up is the available space you have in your kitchen for your cabinets. Ideally, you will have enough for all the gadgets, pots, and pans you have, plus your groceries, spices. Take a good look around your current layout and list the things you would rather have off your countertop. The good news is any style of cabinet you choose from Cabinets City can be customized for your available space. You can have special storage for your appliances, trash receptacle, pantry, and whatever else you have. Of course, customized cabinets are more expensive and take as much as 4 weeks to be ready for installation, compared to standard, ready-to-assemble cabinets which are more affordable can be delivered in a matter of days. If you are in a hurry, then you may not be able to maximize your available space. But you will have your cabinets fit a tight budget and be ready to use in a jiffy.
The thing to remember with space considerations is that it take careful planning and precise measurements to maximize your storage space. DIY is not always the way to do it. You are better off consulting with a professional estimator and designer to make sure your cabinets will actually fit.
Budget
One of the biggest factors in putting in new cabinets is the cost. You should know that for any budget you allocate for a kitchen build or remodel, about 40% of it will go to cabinets. For example, if you have a $10,000 budget to remodel your kitchen, you should expect to pay about $4,000 for the cabinets alone.
That might blow your mind, but it is a fact in most situations. Of course, the materials, construction, and number of cabinets you choose will greatly affect this percentage, so when choosing your new cabinets, always have your budget front and center to keep you in check. It is therefore important to establish a remodel budget first before you go shopping. You can always work with Cabinets City to bring down your costs accordingly as we have a wide range of cabinets from which to choose. You may have to forego certain extras and add-ons, but these can probably be incorporated later on.
If your sole purpose is to install new cabinets, then the percentage thing doesn’t really count. To give you an idea, the typical stock cabinet (ready-to-assemble, standard sizes) costs from $60 to $200 per linear foot. A semi-custom will raise the bar from $100 to $650, and fully custom cabinets from $500 to $1,200. On the average, you will spend at least $1,700 for cabinets for a typical 10′ x 10′ kitchen using stock, RTA cabinets.
Selecting cabinet styles and finishes
Now that you have established the whys and where to fores for your kitchen remodel, it is time to choose the cabinets themselves. The rule of thumb is that the simpler the door style, the more affordable. That said, you can still pay a hefty price if you choose high-end materials such as oak, or custom colors and finishes. If you aren’t out to make a big statement with your cabinets, the best option for the budget-conscious is to get stock cabinets in standard sizes.
If you have more specific requirements and a bigger budget, there are a wide-range of semi-custom cabinets. These are still pre-fabricated, but are more flexible in assembly because you can mix and match the different elements.
Finally, you can have your cabinets custom-made, which means you can choose to duplicate that award-winning design in your own kitchen. This is the most expensive option, and may not even be the best quality, so just be aware.
It may be overwhelming selecting cabinet styles and finishes when confronted with a whole army of options from various brands, and you are feeling the pressure to match looks and function with your budget. We can help you make the right choices if you have a clear idea of what you need, want, and can afford since we carry all types of quality cabinets from the most affordable to the most customized. You will know precisely where you are at all times.
Getting quotes
Getting a quote is so easy nowadays. All you have to do is fill out a form and we will come to your home to do a no-obligation free quote and 3D design.
Of course, you should not go with the first quote you get. It pays to comparison shop, as long as you are comparing apples to apples. We may not be the lowest quote you will get based on the choices you make, but we will definitely give you the best quote with regard to the quality of the product and service.
Hiring a reputable company for the installation
Choosing the right cabinets is just one half of the equation, however. Proper installation is essential for the look and function of your cabinetry, so you need to get a reputable company to do it for you.
As a rule of thumb, it is advisable to go with a company that is the authorized installer for a particular manufacturer. It is important to know that most manufacturer warranties only apply if your cabinets are installed by an accredited professional. Most cabinet manufacturers readily have a list of these companies for any area they supply, so you should be covered. You can avoid a lot of problems and future expense when you go with a recommended company even if they charge more.
It also pays to know if the cabinets have the proper certification as well. You can choose among brands that have Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) or other recognized seals of testing and/or approval.
