If you’re standing in the center of your old kitchen, you’re undoubtedly thinking about the remodel you’ve been planning for months. But then you have to face the truth. The cost of cabinets might take up almost half of your kitchen remodeling budget. That’s when the big decision comes up. Should you go with RTA kitchen cabinets that arrive flat-packed and save you thousands? Or spring for assembled kitchen cabinets that show up ready for installation at your doorstep?
Both options can give you stunning new kitchen cabinets at home, but they take very different paths to get there. Let’s break down everything you need to know so you can make the smartest choice for your space, skills, and budget.
Table of Contents
What Are RTA Kitchen Cabinets and Assembled Kitchen Cabinets?
Before we dive into comparisons, let’s get clear on what we’re actually talking about here.
Ready To Assemble or RTA Kitchen Cabinets
Ready to assemble (RTA) kitchen cabinets arrive at your home in flat boxes with all the pieces, hardware, and instructions needed to put them together. Think of them like high-quality furniture kits, but specifically engineered for kitchens. You’ll need some time, basic tools, and a bit of patience to assemble them yourself or hire someone to do it.
Assembled Kitchen Cabinets
On the flip side, pre-assembled cabinets come to you already built. They’re shipped premade from the factory, inspected, and delivered as complete units. All you need to do is unpack them and install them on your walls. No cam locks, no dowels, no assembly required.
The Cost Difference of These Kitchen Cabinets
Let’s talk numbers, because this is often the deciding factor for homeowners.
Why RTA Kitchen Cabinets Cost Less
When you buy RTA cabinets, you’re cutting out a massive expense: labor. Cabinet manufacturers spend significant time and money assembling units in their facilities. With RTA options, the assembly labor shifts to you (or whoever you hire locally).
Plus, flat-packed boxes ship more efficiently. You can fit way more unassembled cabinets on a truck than fully built ones. Lower shipping costs translate directly to lower prices for you.
According to Houzz, homeowners can save 20-40% on cabinet costs by choosing RTA options over pre-assembled alternatives, making high-quality kitchen products accessible to more budgets.
Buying direct from the wholesaler amplifies these savings even more. You’re skipping the middleman markup that traditional retailers add.
When Assembled Kitchen Cabinets Cost More
Sure, fully-assembled options cost more upfront. But here’s what you’re paying for: professional factory assembly with quality control checks, protective packaging for shipping, and the certainty that everything fits together perfectly before it arrives.
If you’re hiring professionals to install anyway, the labor cost difference might not be as dramatic as you think. And if your time is limited or valuable, paying extra to skip assembly could actually save you money in the long run.
For complex kitchen cabinet design layout projects with lots of custom features, assembled options sometimes make more sense. You’re less likely to encounter assembly errors that could delay your project.
Assembly Process: What to Expect
This is where the rubber meets the road. Let’s get honest about what assembly actually involves.
The RTA Kitchen Cabinets Experience
With ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets made in the USA, you’re typically looking at straightforward cam-lock and dowel systems. These aren’t rocket science, but they do require attention to detail.
For an average 10×10 kitchen, expect to spend anywhere from 8-16 hours assembling all your base and wall cabinets. That timeline assumes you’re reasonably handy and following instructions carefully. First-timers might need longer.
Tools you’ll need: drill/driver, rubber mallet, level, clamps, and patience. Instructions typically come with each box, often including helpful videos or diagrams.
Many homeowners find the process satisfying, almost meditative. There’s something rewarding about building your own kitchen piece by piece. Others find it tedious and wish they’d gone another route.
The Assembled Kitchen Cabinets Advantage
When your assembled kitchen cabinets arrive, you’re skipping straight to installation day. Unbox, check for damage, and start mounting them to your walls. The time savings here are substantial.
Installation still requires skill and precision, especially for achieving perfectly level runs and proper spacing. But you’re eliminating an entire phase of the project. For busy homeowners or those on tight timelines, this matters enormously.
According to HGTV, professional installers can typically complete a kitchen cabinet installation in 2-4 days when working with pre-assembled units, compared to adding extra days when assembly is required on-site.
Quality Comparison
Here’s a common misconception: assembled cabinets are automatically better quality than RTA options. Not true.
Quality Depends on Manufacturer, Not Format
You can find exceptional quality in both RTA kitchen cabinets and assembled kitchen cabinets. What matters is the materials, construction methods, and manufacturer standards.
Look for plywood construction over particleboard. Check for dovetail drawer boxes instead of stapled corners. Examine the finish quality and hardware. These factors matter far more than whether cabinets arrive assembled or not.
Brands like Fabuwood, J&K, Schrock Cabinets, and Kith Cabinets offer RTA cabinets that rival or exceed the quality of many pre-assembled options. The key is buying from reputable sources.
Where Assembly Quality Actually Matters
Here’s the catch: RTA kitchen cabinets quality depends partly on assembly quality. If you rush through the process, skip steps, or don’t tighten fasteners properly, you’ll end up with wobbly cabinets that don’t perform well.
Factory-assembled units benefit from trained workers, specialized tools, and quality control processes. If you’re not confident in your assembly skills, this advantage becomes significant.
For DIYers who take their time and follow instructions meticulously, the end result can be indistinguishable from factory assembly. It’s all about execution.
Shipping and Delivery Considerations
Getting cabinets from the manufacturer to your home involves different logistics depending on which format you choose.
RTA Kitchen Cabinets Shipping Benefits
Flat-packed boxes are easier to maneuver. You can often carry them through narrow doorways, up stairs, or into tight spaces without drama. If you live in a condo or apartment, this matters enormously.
Delivery costs typically run lower because more cabinets fit per truck. Some best online RTA cabinet dealer options even offer free shipping when you hit certain order minimums.
Storage is simpler, too. Boxes stack neatly in a garage or spare room while you prep for installation. You don’t need a massive empty space to stage fully-built cabinets.
Assembled Cabinets Logistics Challenges
Fully-assembled units take up serious space. Delivery often requires freight shipping, which costs more and requires someone home to receive the shipment during business hours.
Maneuvering large, bulky cabinet boxes through doorways and around corners can be tricky. Measure twice, because getting a 36-inch base cabinet through a 32-inch doorway isn’t happening without disassembly.
That said, you’re protecting your investment. Pre-assembled cabinets arrive wrapped and protected, reducing the risk of damaged components during shipping.
Installation Timeline: From Delivery to Dream Kitchen
Let’s map out realistic timelines for both options so you know what you’re signing up for.
RTA Kitchen Cabinets Timeline
After delivery, plan for assembly time before installation even begins. For a typical kitchen, that’s 1-3 days of assembly work. Then comes installation: leveling, securing to walls, adjusting doors, and installing hardware.
Total project timeline from delivery to finished: 1-2 weeks for a DIY installation, assuming you’re working evenings and weekends. Hire professionals, and you can compress this significantly.
The flexibility here is nice. You can assemble cabinets in stages as time permits. Break the project into manageable chunks that fit your schedule.
Assembled Cabinets Timeline
With ready-for-installation cabinets, you’re looking at installation time only. For professionals, that’s typically 2-4 days depending on kitchen size and complexity.
DIY installation still takes time for measuring, leveling, shimming, and securing. But you’re cutting out the entire assembly phase, which accelerates your project substantially.
If you’re living through a renovation and desperate to get your kitchen functional again, this speed advantage becomes priceless.
Finding the Right Supplier
Whether you choose RTA or assembled, where you buy matters enormously.
What to Look For in an RTA Cabinet Store
Find a supplier who offers detailed specifications, real photos (not just renderings), and customer reviews you can trust. The best online RTA cabinets dealer will provide comprehensive support, from design help to assembly guidance.
Look for ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets made in the USA if domestic manufacturing matters to you. Quality standards and customer service typically run higher.
Check their return policy and warranty coverage. Reputable dealers stand behind their products and make things right if issues arise.
Local vs. Online Options
Searching for RTA cabinets near you can connect you with local suppliers where you can see samples in person. Touch the finishes, test the drawer glides, and examine construction quality firsthand.
Online dealers often offer better prices and selection. Just make sure they provide detailed dimensions, multiple photos, and responsive customer service.
Many homeowners split the difference: see samples locally, then order from wherever offers the best combination of quality, selection, and price.
Your Guide to Kitchen Cabinets: Next Steps
Are you ready to start redesigning your kitchen? To begin, thoroughly measure your space and make a detailed plan. Before you go shopping, make a list of everything you need. Ask the manufacturers you’re thinking about for samples. See how finishes look in your real light. Check the door hinges and drawer glides.
Request deals for both RTA kitchen cabinets and kitchen cabinets that are already put together, so you can compare them. Take into account all of the expenditures, such as shipping, putting it together, installing it, and your time. Read reviews from people who have done comparable work and are real customers. Their experiences will show you what may go wrong and what works well.
Ready to explore your options and find the perfect cabinets for your dream kitchen? Visit Cabinets City to see our complete selection of both RTA and assembled cabinets from trusted brands like Fabuwood, J&K, Schrock Cabinets, and Kith Cabinets. Talk to our experts about your project, get a free quote, and let’s create a kitchen you’ll love for years to come.