My neighbor has Kraftmaid & looks like it's very well made.

We went to HD & Lowes and was going to get the Diamond brand, which is mid-range. We found a local kitchen designer who sold Medallion, and after looking at several of her kitchen installations, we thought the Medallion finish looked a little better than the Diamond cabinets.

See if there is a Jim Bishop dealer in your area. We have their better cabinets in our bathrooms and laundry room.

Midcontinent

Merillat

Here is a link that might be useful: Merillat cabs

The previous owner of our house installed Kraftmaid about 12 years ago and I have to say that they have held up beautifully. I am very impressed with the quality and would absolutely consider Kraftmaid if I were re-doing a kitchen. The finish has held up great, although it is a bit dated (it's a pickled finish - not horrible but not my personal choice). In fact, I wish the cabinets were falling apart so I could justify a remodel but that's not the case!

I don't know what the price of Kraftmaid runs these days but since jillsee recommended it, I thought I'd weigh in on how it's held up over the years.

All the names provided above are pretty well known and have dealers almost everywhere. If you find a norcraft dealer you are looking at Mid continent just so you know. Midcontinent dealers have to order more often to get that name so they normally get the cabinets at a cheaper price. They pass the savings on or they may try to keep it.

Some dealers on here will tell you that a indepent store with Kraftmaid gets it at a lower price then the big box stores. I do not know that for certain but I do sell Allwood brand cabinets known to be sold by costco. Allwood charges more to Costco according to my Allwood sales rep because they provide more service and support to costco then they do me. So that is probably true for Kraftmaid.

Supply is greater than demand in the remodeling world so prices are lower then a few years ago. Some cabinet makers have adjust prices quickly others have not. Independent dealers have to keep their doors open so their prices are in many cases just trying to stay alive as demand slowly matches up to supply. Larger companies like lowes and home depot have an army of people that are comparing what other companies are charging and the result is each company tries to pretty much offer what another large company is doing for about the same price.

Smaller companies that do not spend the money to build their name nationaly to the extent of the brand names thrown around here are usually a good bet.

I read a lot of posts of people buying from what I call shade tree cabinet makers. It seems most are happy when they post their end results.

I am teased all the time by sales reps I have to many companies and it is not a good idea. I run my business from school of Hard Knox everything I know is from being hands on and learning as I go. Many people on here would call me a fly by night dealer because I have not made it big to afford a large showroom to show off with.

That really has nothing to do with my knowledge of available products and my understanding of remodeling as I have gone to school for construction management and have built 100 plus homes in my 20's as the project manager. That means I did not have the money to invest to start off going full speed at the start. I have had to learn what companies were out their how to get permission to sell the products. I have had to figure out which companies stand behind their products and which do not. I have had to learn who sells things at a better price then the next guy to. If you do not make the cabinets you buy low and sell higher for a combination of the poduct value and the value of your service to design and occasionaly be involved in the remodeling. I have seen the prices for and been involved in the ordering of products for about 40 cabinet companies. I currently offer to people I know about 20 of the 40.

Here is a list of what would fit your question that may bring a different answer then anyone else on here.

Niche market brands you will not hear much of here that are low priced are Brandom (limited lifetime warranty, and 39" wall cabinets available) Kabinart (plywood boxes only 10 year warranty decent sku availability) Bridgewood- Advantage Series (10 year warranty, they make their own doors for framed and frameless cabinets for all your European lovers out there, so you can specify special width or height (max 96") for a cost of about $100 extra per cabinet, they make proper wainscott panels for the backs of islands. True raised panels can be added to the sides of all exposed cabinets, and they have about 60 available modifications. I can give any of the cabinet companies listed above a run for their money and give you more customization to make it fit without any fillers if I wanted to.

6 square is a good in stock cabinet for the money if you like the door style and colors offered. Their cabinets are made as good as anyones. The roll out trays are even soft close full extension dovetail drawer boxes.

I have Showplace and Merrilat in two recently remodeled bathrooms, and I went with Showplace for my kitchen. Lots of versatility in layout.

Originally I looked at Shiloh cabinets but ended up getting Executive. These are very nice cabinets at a very decent price point. They are all wood, many options, and best of all use a low VOC, low offgassing production method. I can confirm that there was literally no smell at all when they were installed. 3/4" plywood boxes, full extension dovetailed drawers. I have painted white maple and the finish is smooth and flawless.

I'm very happy with mine. I had ~27 linear feet of cabinetry installed including pantries, all drawers on the bottom, glass doors on the cabinets flanking my sink, and panels on both the dishwasher and french door refrigerator. Total cost was $14K. I've linked to the site below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Executive Cabinetry

Another vote to look at Showplace.

All-wood product built in the US with a lifetime warranty. Hidden full-extension glides are now standard on a four-sided drawer with dovetail joinery; free glaze always; many no-charge sizing modifications so you can specify sizes to the 1/16" (especially important for remodel projects); catalyzed varnish oven-baked finish; any Sherwin-Williams paint color available; semi-custom cabinet but they do custom sizes and configurations; an employee-owned company where eveyone working there has a vested interest in making a great cabinet.

They don't offer different types of cabinets at different price points like some other brands - they just build it the same for everyone, their best is what you get. When comparing to other brands know the details so you get what you think you're getting; price comparisons are tough to do apples to apples with brands who offer multiple price points with different cabinet features at each price level.

If there is a Showplace dealer in your area check them out; dollar for dollar you'll be hard pressed to find a better value in cabinetry. Having said that, if you don't check around and look at others you won't appreciate how good Showplace is.

Here is a link that might be useful: Showplace Cabinetry

Don't forget to research local cabinet builders. Our custom cabinets were less than midrange and we got far more options, bells and whistles - no particle board, the ability to maximize and customize every inch of space, etc., plus we were able to get beaded inset like we really wanted but couldn't afford elsewhere.

Dave - My favorite interior designer works out of his home. He handles many brands of furniture, cabinetry, flooring, etc. He has regular clients throughout the country including Chicago, NYC, Louisville, and our little neck of the woods. So, not to worry about those that may think you are fly-by-night. Not everyone needs a storefront to see quality.

EXECUTIVE CABINETS HAS CLOSED! NOW WHAT- BUILDING A NEW HOUSE LOVED THEIR FINISHES- KRAFTMAID WAS MY CHOICE BUT YOU ALL SCARED ME AWAY. BESIDES THE PRICE WAS $70,000! TALK ABOUT A SILK PURSE FROM A SOW'S EAR. I WANT A COUNTRY FRENCH LOOK-- BEIGE WITH GLAZING AND DISTRESSING.
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