I think you need to specify how you define "break the bank" - $20,000 may break one's bank, and it may be another's pocket change...

When we got new cabinets, we found that having them custom made by a local cabinetmaker was less expensive than any of the other options.

If you enjoy diy projects, you can make the boxes yourself and buy the doors and hardware.

If you want cheap, you can certainly find it. Learn the difference between cost and value. And learn to specify an actual budget in your conversation with your KD. That relationship is more valuable than shopping all over town and confusing yourself. Hire one single independent KD.

Do some basic research to learn about differences and about cabinet construction.

Use the search function on this forum to find the numerous threads explaining the difference in MDF versus plywood as well as opinions on drawer construction and the width of MDF/plywood used in different parts of the cabinet.

Use the search function to learn about the performance of painting cabinets using wood versus MDF. There are numerous threads

Once you have decided basically what you want, get a KD to provide you with a layout and price. When I was going through the process, I used a big box store just to get a sense of what it might cost me in terms of the layout. The layout may or may not be the most perfect one or the one you would ultimately use but it will give you a bullpark figure of what the cabinets will cost and enable you to get a sense of what different lines would cost you as long as you realize this is just an estimate and you try to keep it apples to apples. I did visit different places including independent kitchen design shops to research as I wanted to get a sense of what was available and what the price range was. At least in my area the kitchen design places were low end/moderate and very high end but even within the moderate, they might have their lowest price and an upper price in terms of there being a range. I didn't visit 20 shops but visited enough as I wanted to check out the lines that I was considering - Dynasty, Kraftmaid, Omega - can't remember some of the others. But I wasn't actively trying to see if Kraftmaid or Dynasty was cheaper at one store or another but just seeing what the estimated price differential was for the lines I was considering and how they might work within my total kitchen remodel budget.

Keep in mind that the upgrades that most people want are going to drive up the price so any blurb that states that it is $x per linear foot of cabinetry has no relevance.

Unless you plan to assemble the cabinets yourself, there is no cost savings in general.

This forum is really most helpful when you have specific questions after you have done your own research on basics.