See if there's a J&K dealer near you. They are what they are. This one is a bit better quality cheap chinese cabinet brand. Plywood, soft close all. RTA or assembled. But the one thing you must remember is their cabinets are full overlay with very little room for error. Once had an over the range microwave that had bowed sides a bit and when you would open the cabinet doors, they would rub the microwave. These are so full overlay, they're practically like frameless. No room for error. I now design w/ doors opening AWAY from appliances, tall cabinets, walls..or else use fillers to prevent rubbing. My installers have been with me for 35 years and they were impressed with the quality of J&K. Downsides? Limited SKU's and sizes, only give you 24 hours to report concealed damage and the extreme full overlay design. If you're ok with that....then this brand can work well with people on a budget.

Legacy is a lower end line...Presidential series is their super beefed up construction option, if I remember correctly. I used to sell Legacy years ago. The contractor works for you...is it in his contract that HE supplies the cabinets?? On one hand, I can understand why some contractors pick certain dealers to work with. They work well with them, trust them to get the order right....etc. Delays can cost a contractor a lot of $$$$. On the other hand, contractors need to find a good, better and best cabinet line options or they are limiting their clients on cabinet choices. You should tell him that at a minimum you want a semi-custom line. Semi-custom lines have better finishes. Legacy is a lower end line with several box construction options (ie Presidential). I wouldn't use that line...unless you are on a budget. But my guess is, presidential and semi-custom wouldn't be that far apart in price. My only other advice is on the espresso finish. It became popular about 10-15 years ago when Starbucks stores remodeled with all espresso finishes....to complement their 'coffee theme'. That style is now hugely dated. Consider another stain. If you want something more timeless, go with a medium brown....not too red or yellow. I've not seen the Legacy charcoal but assuming its a dark gray? or almost black? The gray trend is also starting to slide. But if you love it....go for it. It's your house.

I'm not sure what not breaking the bank is. Kraftmaid is considered to be a fairly good quality brand and are considered to be moderate. Pricing is going to depend on a lot on specific configurations - e.g. drawers are more functional than doors but are more expensive. People rave about the quality of IKEA kitchen cabinets and they are definitely an excellent value for the money.

Kemper/Diamond/Schrock is all the same cabinets. All with 3 different levels of build quality. So 9 different potential numbers there. Only if you're comparing the same level, with the same exact component list, should you expect close to the same price. So is Merillat and Kraftmaid, although Classic is a lower grade within that than is Vantage. Same factories, same cabinets. Different labels. Waypoint is Shenendoah is American Woodmark is Timberlake. High end builder grade to low end mid grade. Fabuwood and Valleywood is just import junk. Kraftmade Vantage or Merillat Masterpiece is actual mid grade quality and pricing. The high level of Kemper/Diamond/Schrock/ is actually Decora, and overpriced for what you get as a mid grade choice. The mid grade K/D/S/T levels are good values, with good options, and should price very slightly under Kraftmaid, with similar mid grade quality. At that level, its a matter of the better designer and better company. Which is why you avoid HD snd their Thomasville line. Its all bad there, and more expensive. The lower levels of the Masterbrand line like Kemper Echo is the equivalent level to to Merillat Classic but with a lifetime warranty rather than a 25 year warranty and a few more options. It’s a good lower end mid grade, high entry level. Better than Waypoint’s options, for sure. But thats the same niche that Waypoint/Timberlake,/American Woodmark/Shenendoah occupies, at usually more money.