Our budget is pushed to the max.

I think you’ve answered your own question. :)

No way ever that I’d put import cabinets in any house. Much less one that you don’t ever want to move from.

Yorktowne is part of a big cabinetry manufacturing conglomerate ACPI. Perhaps you could take a little more time to expand your search for other options for American-built cabinetry. Have you looked into local cabinet builders? The Houzz forums are full of tips on how to find a quality local builder whose work may come in at or under your budget. Also be aware that quarter sawn white oak is adding a hefty percentage increase to your order's cost. I was told by one of the large lumber yards in my area recently that the quarter and rift sawn white oak is "almost impossible" for them to get in late 2019 because of flooding earlier this year that has made it difficult to get heavy equipment into the areas where it is normally harvested. Without that added factor, the quarter and rift sawn processing produces more waste than plain sawn, so it's an intrinsically expensive choice at any time. Even cherry wood will usually be cheaper. Maple, if you like the look, is a durable wood for cabinetry and easier on the budget than quarter sawn oak, though not suited for climates with high humidity due to warpage and not a wood that takes stain well. A whitewashed "stain" (more of a sheer paint), in my opinion, is going to cover up much of the depth and beauty of the quarter sawn grain, but if that's the only wood you really like, then a local builder might be able to do this for you for the cost savings you're needing.

Quarter sawn is only a 10% upcharge with Dynasty. And they make a much better cabinet than Yorktown, for about the same amount of money. The expensive paint wash semi transparent finish isnt easy or done by everyone though. And it’s not something most local yokels would manage. It’s also the one thing that will be the most dated and out of fashion out of any of the finish choices. Quarter sawn in a medium to medium dark finish has been a classic for hundreds of years.

One of the things that I have struggled with - and my budget started out as no object, then went to zero, and is now somewhere in between - is that I research things to the nth degree to find the best (insert item here) then I have to decide where my splurges will be. I finally decided that what I care least about is cabinet boxes. I care what they will look like with doors and drawer fronts, but the 3/4“ plywood, while it would be great, is less important to me than a workstation sink. My dream kitchen has a great fridge (check) a great sink, and a great cooktop (still looking for both of those). Once I realized that, my choice was easier.

Editing is hard, but looking at those cabinets every day is either going to give you joy (because you’re getting what you want, or because you stayed in budget) or not (because you got your second choice, or because you’re over budget). Figure out what will bring you joy and go for it.

Good luck with everything!

Ultra small kitchens do well w IKEA cabinetry then money saved can be spent on unique lighting , a great faucet, floor ,hardware. Stream line the look a bit w IKEA ...cabinets will be good / not spectacular but that's fine in small spaces.....storage capability will be there and money will be saved

I have an ultra small brand new kitchen. I'm on a super-tight budget.I am a senior-citizen. I have a brand-new house with basic cabinets (RTA?). However, that made it affordable to have a few extras to make it easier to age-in-place. These include Lazy Susans, a few pullouts for lower cabinets, lowered upper cabinets (so I can see and reach), good lighting, and extra outlets so I can have a countertop microwave (more reachable and therefore safer) instead of over the stove. I have a nice roomy refrigerator with shelves I can reach. I have C-shaped cabinet pulls instead of knobs (these are easier on arthritic hands), and a faucet with a lever instead of taps. For safety, knobs on the front of the stove, not on the back.

Message here? Consider all the things that might prevent you from aging in place, and attend to those instead of worrying about expensive cabinets. And if you have budget left over because you went $$$-friendly on the cabinets, allocate it to your bathroom so you can use it even if it's hard to get around. You might need a new door for the bathroom? A curbless shower? "Comfort height" toilet? Grab bars?

If your budget is stretched to the max, do you still have a 10 or 20% reserve for the unexpected? Or is every nickel allocated before you start?

You don't "get joy" from your kitchen cabinets.

Get your joy from experiences and friends; the cabinets are incidental.

New flooring would be great, especially if it will keep you from tripping. Think: age-in-place.

Don't fall for lazy susans'. Waste of great corners and space and money. All lower cabinets should be drawers that are AT MINIMUM 18 inches in width. The wider the better up to 36 inches, and no more than 3 in the stack, the lower 2 the height of the cabinet top, except perhaps around the sink and the range/cook top where you might enjoy that shallower top drawer about 4 inches deep? Drawers that are finished the same as the outer cabinets, not ever painted in the inside or the hidden sides. All upper doors should open next to the sink on both sides, and nearest the range/cooktop on both sides to the left and right. Upper doors should not be closed together at the middle unless they are in a large span of a wall of cabinets, but they should open at the point where the cook or assistant would logically stand for the task at hand. Don't put a ceiling the upper cabinets, you can have a fir down from the ceiling for a foot or so, but inside the cavity keep that height to the ceiling, it comes in so handy for storing all sorts of items. Don't fall for special knife drawer that pull out or other gadgetry in your cabinets. That is the profit for the builder and you don't need to spend money on such stuff if you are trying to get the most for the best buy for the dollars. Keep your upper cabinets just a bit higher than normal on that lowest shelf in one span, perhaps where you would logically have the appliance on one wall length ...so it will tolerate a kitchen standing mixer that is taller than one that just has a 2 qt or one gallon mixing bowl. Bring your cabinets out over the top of the refrigerator. Don't let them hold them to a depth of say 10 inches or so. Don't let them tell you how you can save money be omitting hardware door pulls or drawer pulls. They save your cabinet wood and finish.. Don't let them install cabinets that have a lacquer finish. If it has a lacquer finish, you will be needing replacement fronts in less than 10 years. You want a waterproof sealant on that kitchen cabinet, and that will be a varnish or a polyurethane finish. Other finishes will allow dampness from hands to permeate the wood near the sinks and stoves in your kitchen and there will be nothing you can do to fix the ugly black swelling of the wood where you open and close the drawers and doors.. Just a few things I learned the hard way. Spend your money once, and than you will get your moneys' worth. Good luck and enjoy the journey..

There’s a big world of different choices in between cheap imports and an on the more expensive side semi custom. There is no reason that you have to settle for junk, or spend over your budget. Slow down, and find a good KD who knows a bunch of cabinet lines and who can advise you and guide you. You’ll get a better result at a lesser price, even factoring in design fees. Look for one with a CAPS designation since you want to live there long term.

OP here. Thank you all for your much appreciated thoughts. We’re going to take a step back and reassess. I think sticking to semi- custom cabinets but not quarter sawn oak may be the way to go. Meeting with the kitchen designer this morning to reevaluate. I’ll let you know how it goes. I agree with the comment above about needing to love my kitchen every time I enter it. If that takes a little more time, I’m fine with that.

I'm not sure how you could buy high-end cabinets if you don't have the budget for it.... Or why it would be tolerable if they made you anxious.

I will also say that in designing and building my home, the things that I about wept over because they didn't fit in my budget? Now that I moved in, I can't remember what they were....

By the way, every day I sit and marvel for a while at my new floors with the sunlight playing over their miraculous birch beauty.

The idea that I am set up to live in my home through advanced old age? That's what gives me joy.

I think it's very important to most people to feel they can age in their homes. But I suppose it depends on priorities. Do you have a little list of what you'd like to accomplish by doing a reno? If so, that should help you with decisions.

As a CAPS Designer, the first priority is an aging in place design. The second priority are the materials that support that. This is a big undertaking. More planning and exploring additional options will allow you to feel comfortable in all of your choices.

I do have to say that I wouldn’t recommend import stock cabinets for anyone’s remodel. Their limited sizes and styles, and relatively high costs, do not provide good value now or later. And while Yorktown is a great cabinet, not everyone needs great. Sometimes good is more than enough. What you need is the options versatility of a semi custom line, but not one at that price level. There are many options that provide that at a lower price! Good luck with the project reassessment!

BTW we switched our DR for a kitchen in our 50s ranch best thing I ever did . I have Ikea in my last 2 houses and would do them again if we ever move IMO good quailty for a decent price and a good warranty. 8K is big lump of money I also agree my home is something I want to love but not if it puts me in the poor house I think there are many ways to make a home lovely without throwing money at it. Maybe post a to scale drawing of your kitchen and see what ideas pop up here .I also beg to differ about lazy susans in a small kitchen every inch of storage is a must yes all drawers for base cabinets especially as we age and it is hard to get down on hands and knees .Please make sure you get an actual kitchen designer not someone that sells cabinets it is worth every penny when you are on a tight budget.