I debated between KM and a Mercedes cabinet version custom built by the amish with a significantly higher cost (sold through a "retailer" here in Texas). In the end, I decided KM had sufficient quality to serve me well and were more appropriate for my budget. A second deciding factor was that almost no fillers were necessary. If your kitchen is small and you're losing too much space to fillers to make it work, I would consider looking in a different direction. Like you, I had a top notch installer. I encountered only one problem (wrong drawer slide) which was promptly corrected. After 2 1/2 years, they are still like brand new (with painted finish), and I have no regrets. (1.) One subtle difference is that KM makes their base slightly taller than most cabinets, thereby shortening the height of the drawers and doors. This is an obvious cost benefit for KM. However, I'm still quite pleased with the storage. (2.) Their shelf clips are plastic. My installer substituted the metal ones. (3.) KM drawer box depth is 20.5" whereas total inside depth to the back of the cabinet is 23.5". I would think a more expensive company should give a deeper drawer box. You need to check the cabinet specs re: thickness of cabinet backs, etc. However, I believe KM has sufficient quality to stand the test of time. If you want top construction quality and custom sizes at KM prices, I suggest you look into rta cabinets by Conestoga sold through retailers such as Cabinet Authority or Cabinet Joint. I'm purchasing Conestoga cabinets for a bedroom where I need custom sizing and construction. Take time with your decision and the best choice for your situation will become obvious.

Though this is an old thread, figured I’d weigh in. First, don’t discount the small cabinet shop. Some better than others and the same can be said about the Big boys like Signature Custom Cabinetry. The statement by Birdman69, “Local independent shops often don't have the quality control and the craftsmanship can be suspect…” is simply not true. As a custom cabinet shop owner and former Signature dealer, I can say that our humble cabinet shop produces a fantastic product—one I’d happily compare side by side with Signature. We use quality Benjamin Moore commercial finishes, formaldehyde-free domestic plywood and yes … we use Blum. Let’s be clear here, Blum is an excellent product and we’ve had no quality issues. In my humble opinion, the reason a large manufacturer would switch to Hettich, Grass or another (perhaps) “off shore” brand is simply about cost. For us, a small shop, it’s a non-issue. But when you’re purchasing quantities of slides like the large manufacturers are, that savings adds up. Ask whether their roll-out shelf slides are the same grade/quality as their drawer slides, or an “off shore” brand (BTW... "off shore" is code for China). As far as, “You generally get what you pay for.” If that were only true. Buyer beware, sometimes you don’t get what you pay for. Simply put: don’t disqualify the small shop. Yes, Signature offers 4 lines, starting with IQ, Select, Custom and Premium. Too lengthy to explain the nuances of each but, while there are differences in materials, what they’ll do within that Line, not do, etc., suffice to say, all lines feature Conestoga made cabinet doors. Someone asked about, “Can anyone speak to Signature's SELECT line vs. CUSTOM --quality, longevity, etc.?” With “Select”, there are i) limits on the wood options, ii) Lenga wood drawer boxes vs. Hard Maple wood on Custom, iii) Limited selection of hardware included with Custom (selections you’d likely not want), iv) Drawer slide brands (honestly unsure?), v) Limited inset options with Select ... and more. There are many good manufactures of custom cabinetry; some better than others, some well-valued … others not. Perform due diligence before committing, don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you’re close enough to where it’s being made, go to the factory or shop and see first hand what you’re investing in. The completed kitchens below were done by a "Local Independent Shop", to include the coffered ceiling beams (kitchen), the custom 12" beaded board on the ceiling and fireplace surround with recessed TV, etc (family room). That's the kind of work the capable smaller shop can do ... that the big cabinet manufacturers can't quite produce as cost-effectively.

elisalinscott - I know a few people that have Dura Supreme cabinets and love them. My mother has some that are about 7 years old I think and she loves them still. I'm planning a kitchen remodel in the next 2-3 years and have been seriously considering them. When I was looking at reviews I ran into a site called kitchencabinetsreviews.com and got thrown off, but I was curious what organization the site was with, it didn't say how they were really associated with cabinets. Then I looked up who owns the web address and found that the owner of that website also is the owner of a website for an online cabinet company called US Home Products that sells MidContinent cabinetry which seemed kind of odd if you ask me. I've seen a few other review sites that look fishy for other products too. You gotta be careful where you get your advice. The best thing to do is find someone who actually owns the product and also see it and test it in person. Hopefully HAGS00 will respond and let us know what they think of their purchase. I'd love to know too.

@LizPel12, we were looking seriously at using Cabico Espresso last fall - I posted a query or two here under a different user name. Our contractor flamed out (I changed my username because I was posting here about what to do afterward and wasn't sure how it would all shake out.) I really liked what I saw of the Espresso line (they had a couple of great greyish brown stains that remind me of what @feisty68 has been posting about.) The cabinet shop that recommended them also impressed me - they only carried higher end lines and were very professional and serious KDs. I also saw the prior posts about glides but was assured that at minimum I could get Blum as an upgrade. We found a new contractor who works with a different shop and a different semi-custom cabinet line; it meant not using frameless, but after the drama with the original contracting firm, our priority was all about finding a rock-solid contractor (and as we're now on day 4 of the reno, I don't have any doubt about that decision.) I couldn't find a stain I liked as well as the Cabico options, and we wound up choosing a painted greige (a totally last-minute call, after about 3 years of planning on stained maple.) I also considered Ikea, but we never found a contractor who had experience doing the incredible hack/customization work that I see on here all the time. I couldn't find any feedback on the Ikea-affiliated contractor in our area, and they weren't game to do the structural work we needed. And we have neither space nor time nor skills for any DIY, not even just box assembly. Still, I love a lot of the aspects of the Ikea kitchens, and there are some seriously awesome ones that have been showcased on this site. I think either Ikea or Cabico are very good options; if you really want to throw a third in there, I priced out Innermost at HD and it wasn't much more than Cabico, maybe 10 percent-ish at a good sale time (which are perpetual to some extent.) Fwiw I also live in a high-priced area, tear-downs in my neighborhood start at $500k. I think there's probably a tiny bit of snobbery that might apply to an Ikea kitchen, but given how many houses sell around here for $750k and upward with kitchens from the 1950s, it simply couldn't be a deciding factor unless you were well above the "lower" end of the price spectrum.