I looked at every cabinet line available in my area and then some. Ended up ordering custom cabinetry from England for the kitchen but the laundry and all bathrooms came from Jim Bishop Cabinets. Well made. Lots of choices, several lines/various price points.

Our GC built a house for friends when he finished our home and they used them in their kitchen. They used the rustic alder with knots. Turned out very nice.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Jim Bishop

I have not used them but from my east coast friends have heard good things about Acorn Kitchens. From my California friends I know many good things things about Downsview (out of Canada). From magazines / tv shows only I have loved Plain and Fancy. And from local (Colorado) people I've heard good things about Omega. Of course right now I cannot think of the custom line many people here have used (where I learned of it). Shoot ... it's direct to the homeowner, no showrooms. If it comes to me I'll write again.

Good luck!

Thought of it! Crown-Point Cabinetry. Phew.

I would recommend going to local custom cabinetmakers. Be sure to see some of their work, so you know if they have experience doing the kind of cabinetry you're looking for. If you go to a local cabinetmaker, you'll eliminate the dealer mark-up. We checked two local cabinetmakers. One was about half of the price of a major brand (for beaded, inset cabinetry). The other was about 1/4 less. We went with the latter, just because I felt more comfortable working with him personality-wise. I was amazed at the price difference with both though, compared to the major brands (Omega, Woodmode, and even CrownPoint).

I should have mentioned that another advantage of a local cabinetmaker is that they can custom make finishing details, even if it's not in their "catalog". I needed some surrounds for columns, and I wanted a mantle hood that I'd seen in a different cabinet line. I wanted different corner posts on my island, and special specifications and inserts in my butler's pantry. I also wanted my island to be made of tiger maple, which I'd only seen in one pricey cabinet line. The cabinetmaker was able to make all of it, and again, at a decent price.

if you're considering frameless cabinets, check out Scherrs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Scherrs

If you are looking for a "branded name," I assume you mean a factory produced cabinet that may be sold by any number of outlets from a local cabinet shop to a big box store. If that is the case, then just how "custom" do you need the cabinets to be? Some "branded" names do not deviate at all from what they list as their stock sizes, styles, and finishes. Others are what is often refered to as "semi-custom," in that they will modify sizes or some details such as ends or trims. Very few factory built, brand name cabinets will offer a complete custom line such as you might get from a local cabinet maker.

Generally, the more "custom" you want, the higher the cost. If budget is a consideration, I suggest you look first at just how much customization you really need. There are a number of fairly good "middle of the road" cabinet companies that will offer a reasonably well built box with good fit and finish. They just might not offer all the custom options you are looking for.

You should look into using Brookhaven/Wood-mode. They are sister companies and you can get all of your standard size cabinets from Brookhaven, and the custom sized ones from Wood-mode and have them match up nicely. Lascatx did this, and is pleased with the results. The Brookhaven finish is really nice. Also, this would help your budget quite a bit.

Holiday custom has a 3 price groups/construction options. What's great is you can mix and match. The more of the Estate series you can buy....the lower your bottom line price will be.

Estate-More Standard, lower price

Traditional-Same as above in construction, just more options and more customization with Traditional Series...slightly more in price

Elite-Their top of the line construction, all wood cabinet. Has 14" deep wall cabinets....wood interiors (not vinyl).

Their painted upcharg is only 5%. I recently quoted a KraftMaid Kitchen (paint) vs Holiday Estate (paint) and the Holiday actually came out less. They were both shaker styled door styles....AND Holiday will do a 3" rail and stile at no upcharge. A similar door in KM (Putnam) would have been a lot more.

I highly recommend you check it out...especially if you want paint or larger rails/stiles.

Kompy

I second elljays' recommendation on a local cabinet maker. Having built 3 homes, I used locals for all. Two of the homes, I used the same cabinetmaker.

Once you've walked into a real cabinetmaker's shop where they show you how they make the cabinets, discuss your options (blumotion, slides, susans, pull-outs, etc., etc.). My fellow charged $65 per slide-out, susan, etc.

You'll see that a good one can build anything in any photo that you provide. I drew my dream island concept; I drew my concept for the hutches and sink wall; I drew my concept for the rangewall. They brought it to life for me.

Take those inspiration photos along to show them exactly what you like (or don't like).

Most cabinetmakers have a tremendous upcharge for glaze, sometimes 25% of the price. Mine only charged $800. If they don't have a color choice that you like, ask them whether they'll let you choose a BM color. They probably will do it.

My guys gave me a tiny raised panel cabinet door with my sage/glazed color to approve -- and keep to take around for color coordinating. He did 3D drawings. For the final tweaking, I sat right there beside him while he worked on the computer. He emailed me a list of island legs to choose from along with the prices. He added ogee legs and teardrops on my hutches for a tiny price.

They gave me extra touch-up paint. They balanced the drawers and cabinet hinges. They gave me a page of painted round stickers to cover any plug holes if any stickers come off over the years.

Cameron

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO OFFERED SUGGESTIONS AND POSTED LINKS!!! I'm so grateful:) I've browsed their websites and ordered catalogs from all of them. Some of them have cabinet dealers near me and I plan to visit.

I have a design that I may have to shop around if things fall apart with my KD/design/build firm. I'm still waiting for him to implement some changes I suggested to reduce costs. Seems to be taking his sweet time.

A number of you suggested I look at local cabinetmakers. The problem is I have no idea where to start. I don't know anyone who went that route and have no recommendations. Then, I would still have to find a GC to do the rest of the kitchen. So, that's two gambles. Sure, I can inspect their work, but what the heck do I know? Yeah, I can check their references, but won't they only give me the satisfied customers? I feel like I would need a certain level of expertise and be willing to do a fair amount of legwork to independently find the right cabinetmaker and contractor.

I may be wrong to make this assumption, but my thinking is that a long established dealer for a branded cabinet line has prescreened the installers and contractors they work with (weeding out the bad ones) and the odds are better that the installers and contractors are professional and of high caliber. At least, I hope so...

I used Knights Custom Cabinets up in Vermont. The quality is extremly high. Priced competevily with Dynasty and Omega. Take a look at their website. Tony M

Depending on what you need, semi-custom might also do. We are extremely happy with our DeWils cabinets. The difference between semi-custom and custom is that they won't do as fine an increment on cabinet height and width - heights can be ordered to the inch and I think that applies to widths as well. They have frameless and framed lines.

If you have a membership, I recommend looking on Angie's List for reputable cabinetmakers in your area. I have had great success with angie's list.

I'd also recommend talking to realtors. Do you have any with whom you're friends or friendly? (like children's friends' parents) They could be a great resource for GCs and maybe cabinetmakers as well. But the GCs would undoubtedly know multiple cabinetmakers. Another route could be other trades: have you (or your friends) had electricians / plumbers / painters / roofers you respect and trust? If yes, ask them if they ever work with any GCs and if they'd recommend them.

Yes, absolutely it will add time on to your project and yes, absolutely you will have to do a fair amount of legwork. Those may or may not be acceptable to you. They were to me: we are approximately three - four months behind where we thought we'd be (if we'd continued to work with our KD). I would GLADLY be even further behind schedule if it meant we were getting everything as we wanted it (and then some).

But that's me and my situation. I can absolutely appreciate that, esp. at this busy and stressful time of year, it might be more than you want on your plate.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck!

Another reason why a custom cabinetmaker worked out better for us: we didn't have to work our kitchen around the requirements of "stock" cabinets or make compromises in dimensions. No fillers.

We found our custom cabinetmaker by talking with our GC, architect, & interior designer. Local magazines & newspapers can be other good sources.

Unless you obtain cabinetry from a design and build firm (which you've discovered is rather pricy) most kitchen firms aren't "whole project one stop shops". They'll handle the design and install, but won't do structural work or systems work. They may have some contractors in those areas that they'd recommend, but they won't act as general contractor on the job. You'll have to act as GC or else you'll have to engage the services of a general contractor to oversee the project as a whole. In a project such as yours, getting the right GC will be more important than even the brand of cabinetry. You can get nice cabinets from a lot of sources, but getting a contractor who can plan out the job so that the demo, electrician, plumber, and drywall guys show up at the right time with little lag is priceless. Or, you can GC it yourself and take a bit longer, but probably use higher end products because you're not dealing with the GC markup. Of course, you're dealing with the risks of scheduling etc. yourself, but it might allow you to have a better quality kitchen than can be afforded on your budget without having to cut so many of your wants.

If you take your time, talk to people at church, ask the cabinet maker who he's worked with, ask your realtor, check out Angie's list - heck even ask here... you will find a GC who can do a great job for you. Even the GC your KD recommended may work for you even if you end up not using the KD.

And BTW, you can ask for references from people who were not initially happy with the outcome but who were left satisfied. I did and I went to view all the sites. That said our GC still did not work out in the end but that is a risk you take with any GC.

FYI about using a real estate agent's recommendations---make sure the agent isn't getting a kickback if you decide to use his cabinetmaker or any other referral he gives you. At least know whether he gets a kickback because you're paying for that-if it works out that's great, if not... We learned the hard way and got burned by using a guy on our agent's high recommendation.

I appreciate all the tips and suggestions. I'm currently researching other brands and trying to get some word of mouth recommendations.

I forgot whose kitchen this is (hopefully some one will recognize it), but I saved the picture because they said they paid $6,000 for their cabinets. They're American Woodmark Charlottesville Hickory from Home Depot.

{{!gwi}}

Laurie

That's athomewith3's kitchen - I really like it and have had it bookmarked for while :)

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: athomewith3's kitchen pics

I've seen DuraSupreme cabinets mentioned quite a bit lately. I know they have 3 lines-semi custom, custom and frameless. Anyone know how they compare?

What a great deal!!!! I went to Home Depot to price out a base cabinet with open shelves going up to my ceiling (I needed 2 to flank my fireplace)the base cabs were only 36" wide and my ceiling are 8ft, so upper shelving wasn't anything extraordinary and the gal drew it up and quoted my almost $5k for 2 units--- not delivered and not installed!!! I did ask for plywood box and painted white, but geeeeez.... forget that! Looks like we have another weekend project!