Features

Pros & Cons

Stock

Price Range:
Low - Med

Quality Range:
Poor - Excellent

Note: The term builder grade refers to stock (mass produced) cabinets, not a quality grade level

Standard:
Pre-Assembled - Mass produced
Stored in warehouses awaiting shipment
(hence the word 'stock')

Available in both framed and frameless construction

Variety of sizes, shapes, styles, wood species and finishes

Example of Standard Features:
half shelf in base cabinets

Available Options:
None
Accessories as available

Standard Widths:
start at 9" with 3" increments to 48"

Standard depths:
12" for wall cabinets and 24" for base cabinets, oven cabinets, and utility cabinets.

PROS:
Most popular type of cabinet sold

Readily available

Can be ordered through retailers using the manufacturer's catalog

Are generally available within a week to ten days of being ordered

CONS:
What you see is what you get

Limited selection of styles, sizes, shapes, wood species, finishes & features.

Fewer options available than semi-custom or custom cabinets.

May not fit the kitchen space exactly. Filler strips are used to close any gaps between a cabinet and an appliance or wall.

Semi-Custom

Price Range:
Med - High

Quality Range:
Poor - Excellent

Standard:
Pre-Assembled - Manufactured

Available in both framed and frameless construction

Variety of sizes, shapes, styles, wood species and finishes

Example Features:
Basic stock cabinetry sizes still apply, but certain dimensions can be changed.

Wider range of styles, construction materials and colors than stock cabinets

Example Built-In Options:
Unique storage units and accessories such as pullout bins, lazy susans, matching interiors, inverted frames
Limited - depending on manufacturer

Widths:
Generally start at 9" with 1" increments to 48" (varies by manufacturer)

Depths:
Standard depths can be reduced or increased within manufacturer's guidelines

PROS:
Second most popular type of cabinet

Greater flexibility in the design process

Wider range of styles, sizes, construction materials and colors than stock cabinets

Offer more options than stock cabinets
CONS:
Construction of these cabinets begins only when the order is final, in order to make modifications to standard sizes

Delivery time make take a month or longer.

Changes can be expensive & increase delivery times

Cabinets may not be returnable if they don't fit

Cost more than stock cabinets

Limited selection of styles, sizes, shapes, wood species, finishes & features.

Fewer options available than custom cabinets.

May not fit the kitchen space exactly. Filler strips are used to close any gaps between a cabinet and an appliance or wall.

Custom


Price Range:
Highest

Quality Range:
Poor - Excellent

Built to Individual Specifications

Available in both framed and frameless construction

Unlimited variety of sizes, shapes, styles, wood species and finishes

Production Methods:
- Carpenter - Build to Job (on/off site)
- Manufactured - Build to Order

Example of Features:
Unlimited

Available Built-In Options:
None Needed

Standard Widths:
n/a

Standard depths:
n/a

PROS:
No limit to design, size, style, materials, colors, finishes or features.

Constructed to precise design measurements

Can provide total built-in convenience, without accessories

CONS:
Highest cost

Substantial deposit required - May require payment in full when order is placed

Delivery time may be 10-12 weeks or longer

Homeowner or designer assumes responsibility for measuring accuracy


Non-refundable, Non-returnable for non-production errors

Wide range of pricing and construction standards:
- Build to Job: (Carpenter)
    Limited by skill & available materials
    Warranty may be non-existent
- Build to Order: (Manufactured)