decision time: custom vs. semi custom cabs...

15 years ago

thanks all for providing feedback on my cabinet selection saga for my small vintage kitchen. the sale ends on the semi custom line on 9-june, i need to make a decision and get back to the sales rep. have been grappling with which cabinetry to purchase - custom or semi custom.

1. semi custom quote from omega/dynasty: $10,300. The pro's: more affordable than custom, really like the KD I am working with at shop. Con's: i don't love any of the white paint colors (one is too white, one too tan - i want to use the BM White Dove I used for my trim), may not maximize storage in small kitchen, installation costs higher due to more pieces to install

2. custom: got three quotes. the company i prefer came in at $13,470. this does not include painting which would be another ~$2500 (they do not do finishing, would be a separate vendor). Pro's: maximizes storage space, can select exactly what i want for cabinetry features and get the exact paint color i want. Con's: higher cost, already over budget. Can offset this to some extent in that install costs will be reduced as less pieces to install (exact number TBD, guessing reduction of ~1K, pending input from GC).

3. i ruled out the semi-custom cabs with custom paint option as it is coming in right around custom cabs so might as well go custom if i go that route

Conclusion: I am leaning heavily towards the custom cabs assuming install costs are reduced by the GC and i paint them myself. can't afford to go this route and pay for them to be painted too so it seems like the best compromise. while i do not love painting, i have the space to do it, can take my time to do it right and think i prefer a more natural look vs. the highly sprayed and super slick look.

Am i crazy to consider painting these custom cabs myself?

Any other things i should be considering?

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Comments (3)

User
15 years ago
I don't think you should spend 10 grand om something you don't really like. But, the extra money and extra work for custom would turn me off as well...

Maybe you need some more bids on semi-custom? How many bids do people generally seek out? I'm going to have to start hitting cabinet shops myself!
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Buehl
15 years ago
Semi-custom...Have you looked at the paint colors in your home in your light instead of just at the store? They may or may not be better there, but it's something to check. I'm curious as to why you think the Omega Dynasty do not maximize storage space...unless you're comparing framed to frameless... Our Omega Dynasty cabinets come in a range of sizes from 6" pullouts in which the cabinet is actually frameless to 31.5" wide for the oven cabinet to 36" wide under the cooktop. I was actually surprised at the range of sizes that were available in Omega's semi-custom line (Dynasty).

Custom...Is there a way to bring the quote down? Maybe eliminate some of the "extras" like fake door panels on the back of an island or peninsula that has an overhang or furniture molding? Maybe cut the cost of other things to make up the difference? (E.g., get a low-end cooktop or low-end DW for now and upgrade later.) Maybe delay a backsplash for a year or two.

These are some of the things we did to save on our Project. Most of our kitchen was done in July 2008 and we're only now looking into a backsplash. (Although the backsplash may have to wait yet again as we had to unexpectedly buy a new vehicle this past weekend.)

Have you considered other cabinet lines?
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kompy
15 years ago
I think either the Omega is underpriced or the custom is overpriced (especially for unfinished cabinetry). I do not sell Omega Dynasty, but I think it's the same price range of Medallion, which I do sell. Apples for apples from Medallion up to Plain & Fancy (factory custom)....the upgrade is only about 25%...and that is BOTH with fully finished cabinetry. Your local made, custom cabinets are going to end up being 50% more WITHOUT the benefit of a factory finish!! I would seek out an estimate for factory made custom cabinets (ie. Plain & Fancy, Holiday, Mouser....etc)before I made any decision on this. With most factory custom manufacturers, you can get a 'low sheen' finish for no upcharge at all. And I think it's Holiday or P&F that's coming out with a hand-brushed looking finish.

And FYI, Medallion will soon, if not already, be doing custom paint colors.
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