We got the same type of quote for our kitchen. There is a $10K difference between custom and semi-custom. This was for an apples to apples comparison: same hinges, same thickness of plywood in bases, same number of drawers, same drawer slides. I think we'll go with the semi-custom. Stock cabinets come in sizes that are multiples of 3", 9", 12", 15"...60", etc. When your kitchen has an inch or two space, they have matching spacers that fill in those spaces and look like extensions on the cabinets. The factor I'm concerned about it the color of the stain. Most semi/custom stock will stain certain colors with or without glazes. If you want a certain stain color, they may not be as flexible as your custom cabinet guy. Another factor in durability is how long the shelf run is and how thick it is. Without good support, a long run will sag in the short term; a thinner shelf sags sooner. I will probably order a door from each before I make my decision. I ordered one door awhile back; when it got here, I realized the cherry wood the cabinet company was using wasn't top quality. A great installer with an eye for detail is what makes ordinary cabinets shine. My son just had a bottom of the line series installed. We had them put plywood in the bottom of the sink base instead of particle board. They look high end because they go to the ceiling, there is a nice crown molding up there, and he doesn't have low end knobs. They are just a builder grade cabinet with a dark stain over birch. They won't last as long, but he doesn't need them to. My builder cabinets I have now are 20yo and are just starting to show their wear. The funny thing is that my sister who is married to a contractor and have built their own houses with custom cabinets thought I had a custom job. No, I just had an installer who takes pride in his work, cabinets that went up to the ceiling, and plywood panels installed on unfinished sides. I guess my conclusion is that I'd go with the customized in-stock cabinets and save the $$$.

I work a lot with Woodharbor cabinets, and one nice thing is that you can order your legs and other moldings from White River or Enkebol and Woodharbor will finish them to match any of their cabinet finishes including any color paint. It's only about 50.00 to finish a leg or stick of crown and you get a beautiful factory finish that's guaranteed for life. It also keeps you from paying the high markup cabinet companies put on items they have to buy somewhere else, because you are in essence buying it direct from the manufacturer. I'm sure there are other companies that do it, but Woodharbor is the only one I've worked with so far. You can't beat it in my opinion.

I'm a KD (signed in with to avoid "branding") About half my work is upper end, the other half mainstream. Just took a look at 10 "semi" or slightly better kitchens, 160 to 20 sq ft, nicely detailed, fully functional. Cabinets were between 12 and 24k. No reason you can't do a fine kitchen in that range- all the ones over 20 were in a slightly "better brand" but 3 in that brand were under 20. North Jersey will be 10-25% higher from what I've seen. Making a kitchen completely functional adds between 7 and 10% usually. Since you can pay more than that for plywood, a glaze, paint, cherry, a door style...I see no reason not to make functional kitchens. Just do it carefully. Semi-custom is just a price point. In framed cabinets it means pocket hole frames- (frameless is harder to explain). You can still get custom sizes, reasonable modifications and good details at the price-if you look around. Finish, wood grading and customer service are the things that vary the most. Price spread is roughly 10% but can be as much as 20 and as little as 0 (for the same two brands). THERE IS NO BEST. Take a rough plan and have it priced as is at a few places. One you make up that has everything you think you want and a correct amount of cabinets. That can give you a rough idea for budget. Details will be missing so allow 10% more. While you're at it pay attention to who you are dealing with. That should be a bigger factor than what brand. IF you run across someone who indicates that they want to add some details tell them to price that as an option. (but put them on you're short list to go back to).

You may want to also post this in the Kitchens Discussions forum - you'll probably receive many more replies there. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath/?