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Kitchen Cabinets
And what will all this cost?
The wide and changing range of styles -- and prices -- makes buying cabinets much like buying a car. Like car makers, every manufacturer or cabinetmaker picks a slot of the market, then offers various styles and options that build upward from a base price.Know your budget. You'll quickly find out what kinds of cabinets you can afford; with your plan in hand, you can get a basic price for standard cabinets relatively easily. But extras will drastically alter the quote -- so the same basic cabinet can end up costing a number of different prices. Bids should be full quotes based on a fully specified room sketch listing the options desired in each cabinet. Is installation to be included? If so, spell it out.
Within each line, costs are largely determined by the nature of the doors and drawers you choose. The simplest, least expensive option is often a flat or "slab" door, popular in seamless European designs. Frame-and-panel designs are more traditional and come in many versions, including raised panel (both real and false), arched panel, beaded panel, and recessed or flat panel.
Are cabinet pulls included? If not, you'll pay more for them, but you can choose exactly what you want.
Comparing Cabinets
Stock
Where to buy Lumberyards, home centers, appliance stores, some showrooms (most stock is made in this country).Who designs You should, because the clerk helping you may know less about cabinets than you do. Don't order if you're at all unsure.
Cost range Less than the two other choices, but you'll still swallow hard when you see the total. Look for heavy discounts at home centers, but pay attention to craftsmanship.
Options available Only options may be door styles, hardware, and door swing -- but check the catalog; some lines offer a surprising range.
Materials used Cheaper lines may use doors of mismatched or lower-quality woods, composite, or thinner laminates that photo-simulate wood.
Delivery time You may be able to pick up cabinets at a warehouse the same day you order. Wait is generally shorter than for other types.
Installation & service Depends on where you buy; supplier may recommend a contractor. Otherwise, you install yourself. Service is virtually nonexistent.
Other considerations You often pay in full up front, giving you little recourse if cabinets are shipped incorrectly. Be sure order is clear and complete.
