Builders Cabinet Supply in Chicago and Lombard. The cabinets are made locally so you avoid a middle man and get direct customer service. Better quality than you’d find at Lowes, and also frameless construction which I prefer. They also have good kitchen designers who can help with layout. Idk what their lead time is though, as most cabinet companies have been affected by the current shortages of lumber and hardware. You might have to move back into your home with no kitchen and make do for a while with toaster oven, induction hob, and dorm fridge. You are not alone, if that is any comfort. But give them a call and see what they say.

P.S. You mentioned gray cabinets. I’d avoid anything gray except for a pale dove gray. Other grays are difficult to coordinate with flooring, counters, and backsplash, and can make for a gloomy kitchen in Chicago winters.

https://www.buildmykitchen.com/company/

Most cabinet lines are running well over 8 weeks right now. My line which is typically 8 weeks is now at 18 weeks. I know that J&K Cabinets in Elk Grove Village are typically in stock, but given they are imported they may also be dealing with delays. They do offer both white and gray Shaker cabinets.

I have worked with Builders Cabinet Supply in Lombard and also recommend them. Only their Orchard Hill line is made locally. They also carry Homecrest and Starmark. I can't imagine they can produce in less than 8 weeks given the market, but it's worth a call.

“after I realized they charged us $2,350 more than several online retailers for the same exact cabinets and almost $3,000 more than my quotes from Lowe’s earlier this spring.”

Unfortunately, there’s a reality check that needs to be done. Regarding online retailers, how can you expect a local brick-and-mortar to compete with a website? And $2,350 is nothing in the scheme of a kitchen re-do in the midst of pandemic shortages. And you don’t know what the lead time is for the ”several online retailers”—could be much worse than what you were getting originally. You’ve basically blown your kitchen over $2,350 difference gleaned from an internet search which may not be accurate because there are other costs that may be charged in your final purchase from the online retailer. As to your Lowes quotes earlier this Spring - prices have jumped dramatically just in the last couple of months, so that comparison is meaningless.

I hope you will be able to get your kitchen using the suggestions here, but I am betting you will end up paying more than the $2,350 difference that set you on this path.

Also, most cabinet brick-and-mortar businesses do not also sell online. So they are not the "exact same cabinets". They may all look like white Shaker cabinets, but there can be a world of difference in construction, hardware, finish, customization, service and warranty.

Hey CB, what a horrifying accident! I hope no one was hurt. Did your insurer refer you to the restoration company? I ask because I had a very bad experience trying to work with the restoration company my insurer “helpfully” pointed me too when a neighbor’s tree fell on my house. I fired them and went with contractors I chose. You may have a better experience working with a dedicated kitchen remodeler than a restoration company, if you have that option. In any case sorry you are going through all this!

P.s. Not sure why some are quick to assume your restoration company is ordering cabinets from a “brick and mortar” store. Maybe they are.

I would rather use stock cabinets than allow the restoration company to pad the price of the cabinets. I received multiple quotes for my tiny kitchen under $4200 at actual brick and mortar stores.
My only mistake I made was signing a contract with a public adjuster after the accident. The city I live in sent them out to board up my home and they have being taking advantage of me and my family for 6 long months. Never, ever use one if you lose your home to a disaster. Thank you to the people that actually had helpful comments.

Plus one to the recommendation for Builder's Cabinet Supply. I used them for a small project in my old house and I really liked the cabinets. The recommendation came from my handyman, and they gave me a discount because I dropped his name. I had wanted something inexpensive (it was just for my second laundry room in the basement) and I was very pleased with the price and the product. (That was a few years ago so can't speak to current lead times, which I understand are tough everywhere.)

At this point you might want to try stocked cabinets , which are usually cheap and cheezy and will probably not be your ideal kitchen but because of the inflated prices and long lead times , it may be your only option besides just waiting another 3 months to get your kitchen back. On the flip side - stock cabinets are usually pretty cheap.

I also had HD and Lowes both price my cabinets in march/april - when I went to finalize the quote in later may - with no changes- the prices went up 20% or so - some of this was because of promotions ending, but in part because prices went up across the board.

I ordered cabinets a month ago from a US manufacturer who usually provides a 4 week turn around for custom sizes but as of now they are expecting 10 week lead time. And with lumber prices on the rise - I keep getting notifications of expected price increases up to 30%, so I'm glad I got my order in when I did.

Aww CB, it makes me so mad that your adjuster and contractor aren’t taking care of you and your family! I signed a contract with a bad restoration company too. I didn’t know I even had the right to choose my own GC — after all it was the first time a tree fell on my house — maybe this is the first time a truck parked in your LR?!! Paid a lawyer $350 to look over the contract and send them a letter terminating their services due to non-performance, insurers failure to disclose, etc. They went away without a peep. Maybe worth trying? You def deserve better!

P.s, and this is a long shot — you could call around to kitchen design centers to ask if any have a display kitchen retiring soon. A friend got a bargain on one, it was extremely well made and had allllllllll the fun accessories. Since her kitchen is tiny she was able to readily adapt the display model to fit her space.