If you are near an Amish cabinetry maker, you may find they can do the kitchen for the same cost I have Crystal Cabinet Works beaded inset cabinets and I'm very pleased. I purchased mine during a "free paint" and "free inset" promotion. They allow you to combine their Keyline (less customization, lower price) and full custom offerings that keeps their pricing in the mid to mid-high category. (They were far less than the Fieldstone). They have a good reputation here and among my preferred contractors. There is a good thread here on pricing comparison of white painted shaker cabinets.

The lines between custom and semi-custom have become increasingly blurred. Used to be that custom meant you could get any wood specie you want, in any door style you want, in any color or finish choice you want. Many smaller, local builders call themselves custom, but in many cases you can get "more custom" work from brands that call themselves semi-custom. Showplace will build custom configured cabinets (you draw it, they build it), or you can modify a standard cabinet to the 1/16" -- they also offer custom painted finishes, but they call themselves semi-custom because you must live with the styles and species they offer. The best advise is to research your options and, as others have said, make a good product-service-installation value decision based on what is most important to you. It is always most helpful also to talk with friends, family, co-workers, etc. and see if they, or someone they know, have done a project and could make a recommendation. Here is a link to a planning guide that is helpful. Admittedly, the content eventually moves toward Showplace offerings, but much of the early content is viable regardless of the brand you choose. Here is a link that might be useful: Cabinet Planning Workbook

Lavender-lass. I'll try and see if I can get a screen capture of the kitchen in the Flip Flop episode for your TV Fairyland. That one episode caught my attention because everything they did cost 1/2-1/3 of what I'm being quoted for the exact same thing. I agree with Texas-gem. Custom to me means cabinets designed specifically for my space with quality materials and construction. It should use every space efficiently. It doesn't have to be long runs but not modular boxes. For example, I've designed a vanity for our powder room so that it's attractive but easy to use for my mother who is in a wheelchair. Someone who is "custom" but only assemble would not be able to make it. For the kitchen, I've sketched cabinet sizes and internals that need an actual woodworker. Blfenton - we had 36" drawers and they just fit some of the oversized pots and pans/ wok. 24" split would be too small. Fori, the all wood is truly all wood. I looked at two kitchens that he built. They were beautiful. The problem is that I have to go through his brother, the GC, who is as flaky as 90% of the GCs I've talk to. It takes up to 10-12 calls to get thru and talk to him. No matter the price or quality, I don't know that I can handle 2 weeks delay for each response. I'm so over budget from unexpected costs that I have to really shop cabinets now. I possibly have another $10-15k in structural engineering and concrete to pay for. By the end, we may end up with $35-45k in invisible costs that shows nowhere and doesn't include my out of pocket for the remodel/rebuild. That blew out our stairs, bathrooms remodel and landscaping. My husband suggests buying just anything as cheap as possible so we get a kitchen back and save up to replace the cabinets in a few years. This just doesn't jive with my thrifty soul. Scrappy25 suggested Omega and they look like a bulk mfg with many options to appear custom or semi custom in regards to sizes. I'm going to visit a dealer next week. Crl - I looked at Barkers a few weeks ago and was a bit overwhelmed. Also i think they didn't provide the depths I wanted. I'll have to relook. I checked out Scherr today and i went on overload. I think I burned out from putting my design into CAD the last two weeks. I had to learn more stuff than I wanted to after the city inspector decided to enforce all sorts of extra stuff. They approved over 200 homes including my next door neighbor's for the exact same work but decided to treat my house differently. They even rescinded approvals made 3 yrs ago. Kimberly, what city are you in? I'm the one hobbling from store to store at Tile Mile with a walker.

Cabinets made in Ca when made legally are to be finished with water based paint and stain products. The cabinets made in South Dakota like Starmark and Showplace are oil based catalyzed varnishes which are much more durable. If you want to test it. Ask to have a sample from both places. Put acetone on the finish and wipe it off. If it is water based the finish will dissolve to some degree during the wipe. The oil based finish will look un touched. The La area store of Ca I work does not offer locally made cabinets for this reason. If you want to buy oil based floor stain or poly urethane you have to drive to San Diego county just to purchase it... The basic premise of the what the dealer told you is correct... The acetone test will tell you if you will get a inferior finish from the local company... I have heard of one company that made cabinets for a project I bid and did not get where the local cabinet maker bought oil based finish in pints to have it shipped in from out of state. You would have to mix all them together I would think it get an even finish color... The national cabinet makers use the oven and the catalyst to be able to finish their products faster. The upside is most also add an hardener to the finish that cures with the oven making the finish more resistant to light scratches and other wear and tear.. I have spoken with many people who have locally made cabinets where the area around the knobs and pulls discolors over time from the oils in the skin from being touched. The out of state finish is likely to be more durable from a reputable company in South Dakota.