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DIY Kitchens Remodeling

Kitchen Cabinets - DIY, RTA, or ?

Clearwater Mercantile

6 years ago

Hi! I'm looking for recommendations on inexpensive, but custom sized kitchen cabinets. We are considering DIY bases and framing with purchased doors, but would prefer to find a reputable RTA company, or another Ready made option other than Home Depot or Ikea. Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

User

6 years ago

Scherrs will make anything you could possibly need. If you need custom sizes. Most kitchens do not. Most kitchens would be fine with something like Kraftmaid and a creative designer. Good luck, and avoid imports.

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Comments (14)

sushipup1
6 years ago
Check out the Kitchens forum for lots of discussions about cabinets.
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Michey312, sorry for the rude comments, they are no help at all. I think you did a fabulous job. I too was beaten up by this forum when we did our own plumbing for a bathroom remodel. It was mid pandemic and the "pros" were just not available. Well it's been over three years and the bathroom plumbing is working just fine. We fixed issues with previous plumbing that was done 30 years ago by a licenced plumber as well as the required modifications for the new fixtures. We installed new lighting, tile, toilet, vanity and soaking tub. Granted we decided not to change the layout to simplify the plumbing and electrical, but in the end we were very pleased with our handy work. I am in the middle of working a quote for Conestoga cabinets for a new kitchen (new construction). I like the inset cabinets and want to use the extended leg (face frame) option. How did you decide where to place the extended legs? It is clear that they would not be appropriate on all of the cabinets in my design. Also on your island (which I love), it looks like the extended leg is wider than the extended legs in your other base cabinets. Can you confirm? was that an option? It looks like you might have used a panel on the side of your island. How much did the trim details extend the size of your island? Hopefully you are still monitoring Houzz. Thanks in advance for any information you are willing to share. Again, great job!
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You may want to search for threads here concerning quality of Ikea cabinets that you can review and share with your husband. Here is one that might interest you: [Bodbyn line[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/grimsloev-foil-or-bodbyn-painted-ikea-kitchen-help-dsvw-vd~4747393). I've heard the argument about plywood boxes, but I'm not convinced. I know a number of people, including contractor and architect friends, who have installed Ikea cabinets in their homes and are still happy years later. Also remember that Ikea typically has a 25 year warranty on their kitchen cabinets.
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I'd just like to pop in here (since we're being mentioned) and say a couple of things. Right now we have a 5 cabinet minimum for custom engineered cabinet projects (no lower limit for door/drawer only jobs). We used to do smaller projects in some cases (and still do in rare cases if the conditions are right), but custom engineering and sending one, two, or three cabinets halfway across the country is rarely a cost effective endeavor that ever gets to see the light of day. Which fits with the original poster's desire to go with an in state producer. We usually recommend that people hire a local carpenter in these cases who can build something on site. Go local! :) Even though we're based out of North Dakota, 99% of our business is out of state with most of it being in California. I'm not sure why exactly—maybe it's the cost of doing business out there or it's a regulatory thing... by no means can we call ourselves Californian, but sometimes I feel like we ought to relocate! Good luck Pablo!
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I have the same question - anyone purchased from this company?
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Rosa Espinal
6 years ago
My husband and I used Barker Cabinets for my mom's kitchen. We kept the original top cabinets, added new doors and refaced the sides. The bottom cabinets were purchased from them as well. We are really impressed with the quality and found it simple to assemble. This was our first home improvement project ever.
PRO
Clearwater Mercantile
Original Author
6 years ago
Rosa, thanks for the info. You and your husband did a great job on the cabinets!
User
6 years ago
I've used a contractor that made their own cabinets on site. The guy that made them was incredible talented, they were better than anything from a store. They were around half the price of store bought and made of all ply and dimensional lumber.
PRO
Clearwater Mercantile
Original Author
6 years ago
Raye, I've heard that is sometimes the way to go. Sounds like it's worth getting a few quotes from cabinet makers. Thanks.
PRO
Clearwater Mercantile
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks to The Cook's Kitchen, I'll look into your suggestion. I think we may need custom uppers due to ceiling height being 10'.
User
6 years ago
I rented a house that had the kitchen cabs to the ceiling and I loved all the extra space for storing less frequently used items.
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
No one needs custom cabinets to take them to a 10’ ceiling. You can stack cabinets in any semi custom line. Even some stock lines have enough sizes for that.

What you need is a realistic budget for that. And the right designer. And the right installer. You have to understand all of the details and clearances. Don’t leave the installation to the builder’s carpenter. He won’t own enough clamps and shims. And unless he is an expert finisher with a clean room and experienced in spraying conversion varnish, no local hobbyist can come close to the durability of factory finished cabinets.
pandang81
6 years ago
We just ordered ours , and our ceiling height is 10'. Online cabinets direct is a great RTA store based out of TN. They ar mainly made from maple and reasonably priced (lower than big box stores or custom cabinets). They came beautifully made and Have customizeable choices. Below is copied and pasted from their website. I love how mine have turned out.

cabinetry consists of full overlay, raised panel doors with a decorative applied molding, full overlay door styling, superior quality all wood I-Beam box construction, full extension undercount soft close drawer slides, solid wood dove tailed drawers.
User
6 years ago
Cheepchinesecrapola.
pandang81
6 years ago
A very large amount of the stuff you buy in big box stores are made in china. So unless you are going 100% custom, 100% American made $$$... I went to Lowes and saw their cabinets, I wasnt impressed. I did my research online as well. Lowes had a few different cabinet brands, the more expensive brands look like my cabinets, EXCEPT I paid less for mine. Mine are Maple cabinets , made from plywood, not MDF and came very well made. They are greenguard certified. Boxes labeled and excellent quality. I am very happy with them. I am also happy with the American small business that I purchased these from. My only complaint was the shipping company would not deliver inside...
pandang81
6 years ago
http://houseupdated.com/rta-kitchen-cabinets-review-pros-and-cons/
PRO
Clearwater Mercantile
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you Pandang81

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