Cabinets - How to Save?

17 years ago

I'm talking to a kitchen center that reps a wide range of cabinets, the top lines of which are Wood Mode and Wood Harbor. They also carry in roughly descending order Kitchen Craft and Shiloh. Oddly enough they don't promote Broookhaven but I would assume if they have WM they would have that too.

I didn't think I could afford the highest lines but with the discounts right now that Wood Mode is running (and which the kitchen rep says are also available from Wood Harbor) I'm wondering if you wise experienced remodelers can give me some tips on how I might be able to stretch my budget by pricing out some less expensive options in this kind of high budget lines.

For example, what in general is the ranking on door styles from least to most expensive? I gather beaded inset is the priciest so what would be the least expensive? Reading I generally just get the "cabinet door style can definitely affect price" which doesn't tell me exactly HOW.

Also, someone at the kitchen center said that in general frameless is cheaper than framed cabinets. True? I am intrigued by frameless anyway because they seem to be more size-enhancing and I need all the room I can get in my small kitchen!

Some features I don't want to compromise-I'm getting white painted cabinets for example which I *think* are more expensive(?). But I know if I don't order as many bells/whistles that will save and I assume I could do my own ordering on some things like pullouts-correct?

Any help much appreciated; the designer is coming to measure and give me an estimate on Friday (I haven't signed anything yet).

Ann

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Comments (3)

kompy
17 years ago
I had a client once that wanted white cabinets with lots of glass doors. I suggested she look at frameless, because the frameless line I had offered a standard white box with white bottoms and interiors. This saved her a bundle in not having to pay for 'finished interiors' or 'finished bottoms'.

Other cost saving ideas:
-shaker (recessed) style will be less than a raised panel or reverse raised panel shaker style.

-Drawers cost more...but they are worth it...so is full extension guides (standard in many lines now, so check in to that).

-Go with a slab type drawer, instead of the more decorative raised panel drawer a.k.a. 5-piece drawer head/front.

-Stick to standard sizes. Modifications usually add $$.

Kompy
runninginplace
Original Author
17 years ago
Kompy, thanks very much.

The Wood Mode drawers come w/full extension soft close standard. They are also a little deeper on the top cabinets - 13" instead of 12". And I have to confirm this but I was told by another employee at the kitchen center that Wood Mode does not charge for using their pulls/knobs, and they send the cabinets predrilled for what you've chosen!

As for the slab drawers, I actually like that look better anyway so at least I've got one cheap impulse to work with!

Ann
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caryscott
17 years ago
Glass inserts tend to cost quite a bit and usually require a matching interior as kompy mentioned. If you want\need them stick to plain glass and you can switch it out later with a local glass place (usually much cheaper than what the cabinet company will charge you, same with glass shelves). There are a lot of bins, dividers and inserts you can purchase for less than having them built into the cabinets. You will get a better selection and probably a better price if you purchase the hardware on your own. Pull out trays can be put in after to replace drawers but I agree with kompy they are not as good as drawers for effective storage or ease of use. Replace uppers with open shelves where you can. Keep mouldings to a minimum and avoid extra height or depth (the bigger the cabinet the bigger the cost). Stick with furniture grade particleboard construction.

Cabinets don't have a brand carved into them, I would definitely compare what you can get from the higher end lines with what you can get from a good mid-line company like KitchenCraft. If you have to strip it down too nuch to get Wood Mode you may be better off with KitchenCraft (you will have to upgrade the drawers on KitchenCraft for sure).