As a KD, I rep 5 different cabinet lines from budget to higher mid range. I can place a customer in any of those lines with a successful design if I am made aware of their budget up front. I've done kitchens where the cabs cost $4K and $64K, so it's all about the individual customer's needs vs. wants. vs. budget. I have to say that if your 10K budget includes the labor to install, that you're probably out of your range considering Dynasty for a mid sized kitchen with actual functionality as well as some aesthetic appeal. If you were in my showroom, I'd guide you to a lesser expensive line of cabinetry, and I'd explain the tradeoffs of doing so: less sizes and options available, less colors, less door styles, not quite as good a finish, etc. But, I'd let you make the decision whether or not to increase your budget or to go with a less expensive line. Now, as far as installers go, you'd be welcome to engage the services of any contractor that you desired for the complete oversee of the job, or just for the cabinet install. However, I'd tell you why I like using my installers to install my designs. They don't have to have the design explained to them is the biggest one. Every KD has a certain "style" of doing some things that they've learned works in their cabinet lines. Someone not familar with that cabinet line or who hasn't done an install of cabinets for me may not be familiar with a technique or install method that I regularly use. For instance, I reguarly use a 6" tall filler as a horizontal filler in between 36" cabinets and the ceiling and float my crown from that. That makes any ceiling height discrepancy virtually disappear. This is a technique that is very familiar to most experienced cabinet installers, and I wouldn't even have to explain it to mine as they've done it on virtually every job I design. I designed a kitchen this way for a customer who wanted to use their own contractor to install, and I had to have 2 hours of meetings with that contractor to explain how to install the design for the customer. That's 2 hours of work that wouldn't be necessary if I used my installers. So, yes, they cost a bit more than some "finish carpenters", but if you have to pay me and your carpenter for the extra 2 hours of consultation plus he's a lot slower and not quite as good on some things, then you really haven't gotten a bargain even though he may look cheaper on the front end. So, this is one reason that KD's and contractors may have a partnership and like to work together and discourage any outside labor or design being used. I hope I've helped you understand the "other side" a bit better and not feel so "manipulated" by the trades partnerships that many have developed over their experiences together. Many contractors or designers are great at what they do, but are lacking in communication skills to be able to explain their roles and their interaction to the customer.

Brighton Cabinetry, DuraSupreme, and many major cabinet manufactures produce this style finish with a more consistent and durable technique. I would stay away from interior decorators with kitchen design and cabinetry questions and talk to experienced professional kitchen designers. In general I always ask the professionals that specialize in the area you need help. For kitchen designers this is particularly frustrating because consumers, interior decorators, architects, engineers, contractors, and even real estate agents all often believe that they have some kind of expertise in an area that takes a decade of full time experience to even become passably competent at.

Depends on the manufacturer. 30% average upcharge for solid. Veneer for slab panels would be a bit less.

I noticed your post and found it today to see if you have had any feedback. A friend, my daughter, and I installed Brighton cabinets in our new kitchens. We are all very pleased. My daughter selected a painted finish while I have stained cabinets with a glaze. I cannot speak for the durability of the finish over several years since my cabinets were installed 18 months ago; daughter's this past summer. However, I can avow that the finishes are gorgeous and do not seem to be fragile. Her kitchen gets very heavy use. Her boys and husband cook. It is the most vibrant spot in her home. In my opinion, Brighton produces a very lovely product. Neither one of us had any complaints. I am picky and this was the second kitchen I remodeled in 8 years and I shopped around a lot for both kitchens. I would most definitely purchase Brighton cabinets again.