Thanks. My problem is that I am a full-time working mom so it's likely that clean-up will happen after several hours. That's one of the reason why I am going with a brand which has some well known quality control.

No, I didn't check out Lowe's. I checked out HD though. This online ordering site is much cheaper than HD.

Well, I just cleaned off sticky, splashed watermelon juice from 3 days ago with no problem.

If you order online, who will do the installation? That will be an additional cost. It was included in our Lowe's quote.

Plus....if there's an issue with your order, Lowes (or HD) handles it. And, if there's a mistake, again, you're not responsible.

Do you know where you need filler and how much? Do you know all the various components needed to install the "final" kitchen?

I understand it's probably cheaper to order online - but that's b/c all the risk is now yours. If you make a mistake - you pay for it! If you make a mistake on even one cabinet, you may end up paying more overall in the end than if you went with a KD.

Have you shopped around at other cabinet stores? HD and Lowes are not always the cheapest...

Check other places around you.

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There's also IKEA. They're inexpensive enough that mistakes probably won't break the bank. They also have people who can help you create your order.

Ikea has white thermofoil doors, which are very easy to keep clean. No offense meant to anyone on GW, but I read about people buying expensive wood doors and then spending $$$$ to get them painted white - I've never understood why one would get painted doors unless they happen to be the least costly. We had painted doors in our kitchen and got tired of trying to keep them clean and doors looking like painted doors. For our Ikea remodel we decided to get either laminate or thermofoil doors, which look like wood and are super easy to keep looking like new for years.

Thank you all for your advice. I am thinking of a way to minimize the risk. -)

As for installation, my GC will do it. I don't know if it's a standard but cabinet installation was included in biddings from some of the contractors that I contacted.