We have what I guess are "high-end" custom cabinets from Plato Woodwork. I can remember asking myself the same question - what is the difference. Some of the first cabinets I'd seen - that were very nice - were Durasupreme. I later visited a friend's KD showroom where she had a nice display with three different cabinet lines in three different price ranges - including Woodmode and Brookhaven. Woodmode had thicker doors/drawers than Brookhaven and she said there were more steps in the finishing process for Woodmode. Neither of those things really seemed to make Woodmode worth more money to me - it was that Woodmode allowed more custom options. She now also carries Durasupreme line which is more moderately priced - and likes that line because it is good quality, more economical but does allow for more custom options. We recently looked at some newer homes - potentially relocating. These were generally pretty nice homes - not cheap by any means. That is when I really realized the difference between "high end" and what I can only think must have been "low end" cabinets. The doors/drawer fronts were practically paper thin compared with mine. They just seemed cheap and flimsy to me - there's just a lot less material there. They looked nice at a distance until you opened a door or drawer. Of course the drawer boxes are completely different as well - as others have pointed out. I probably would never have noticed this before I redid my kitchen and became TKO - though my 30 year old cabinets were not thin and flimsy either.

I second the zip but upgrade to zip +R which adds a layer of insulative sheathing. Walls are actually pretty low on the list of areas to focus air sealing efforts but the zip makes the walls super easy with the exception of the windows. Cant offer too much guidance on material and brand but I tend to think the installation details could be more important. Air leaks here can wipe out perceived energy savings of particular window choices. Any of the other options can work. I strongly suggest meeting the 2012 IECC as a minimum. What climate and what says your builder on these manners? If you post this in the Building a Home forum, youre sure to get more replies.

“Dornbracht, Waterstone, Newport Brass, Rohl, Brizo, to name a few” Waterstone has had some complaints with customer service poor response. Rohl was once great, but sadly no longer. Same with Newport Brass, once great then sold to Masco Corp and since has had a decline in quality. Brizo is owned by Delta, which is owned by Masco Corp. Brizo faucets are Delta innards with a more fashionable exterior. That’s not a bad thing - Delta makes good faucets with some quality control issues here and there. None of the aforementioned is in the same class as Dornbracht. @autumnkarlinsky - what is your budget for your faucet? A Dornbracht kitchen faucets starts at about $1,100.

Omega custom has 3/4” construction for inset. If it was half inch, you were looking at Dynasty semi custom. 3/4 is complete overkill for framed cabinets, as all the strength is in the faceframe. You can have 3/8 sides with face frame cabinets, and it will support way more than your entire cast iron collection, solid stone tops, and your 250 lb electrician. Neither Omega nor Dynasty use anything but solid wood for their drawer sides. Omega has the ability to build any of your wants . And more. Some of your wants are complete overkill, functionally. They actually detract from usability.