The big box home improvement stores are fascinating places with all sorts of new kitchen necessities. We roam these hallowed halls filled with faucets and tile and sinks (oh my)! And also, cabinets.
And if a homeowner’s budget is limited, they are likely to shop these cabinets that offer door styles and colors are as limited as their budgets. What is also often limited is quality. Most homeowners think this is all that’s available for them if they can’t afford expensive custom cabinetry for their new kitchens.
No, no, a thousand times no! Think about this: All cabinets have been RTA Cabinets (Ready to Assemble Cabinets) at some point. They are manufactured, assembled and then shipped to the customer. They are the same quality but more expensive because they have to hire workers to assemble the cabinets. RTA cabinets are the same quality as assembled cabinets and, in some cases, they are far better quality. Why? The RTA cabinet companies can save money by hiring fewer people and pass that savings on to the customer in lower cost and better quality materials.
Is assembling your cabinets worth the lower price? If you want high quality cabinets at a price you can afford and you’re willing to do some work for it; yes definitely. You have a choice between low quality and less work. Or a kitchen that looks and functions like those dream kitchens in the magazines at a price you can afford. The cabinets are shipped for a lower cost, includes easy to understand instructions, pre-drilled holes and hardware, and in a day or two you have fully built cabinets that certainly far exceed those you’ve been looking at in the big box stores.
As a kitchen designer my job is to help the homeowner achieve their new kitchen goals. If their goals exceed their budget its my responsibility, if possible, to find a way to make their dreams come true without sacrificing quality. The very best way to do that is by recommending high quality RTA cabinetry rather than the ready built.
If the homeowner has the means but wants the best value for their dollar, I still recommend RTA cabinets if they are willing to put in a little work for a lot of savings. Why pay more? The money saved can be used on to-die-for stone counter tops or built-in appliances.
Another reason I often recommend RTA cabinets is the sense of accomplishment assembling their own cabinets gives the homeowner. Yes, it’s nice to simply walk into the new kitchen without ever having to lift a finger to make it happen but actually making it happen has a value all its own. According to the 2019 Remodeling Impact Report: D.I.Y. Homeowners who do at least some of the kitchen DIY the ‘’Joy Score’’ is higher than for homeowners who hired someone else to do the work.
While RTA kitchen cabinets can be assembled yourself why not get together some friends and family members, pizza, snacks and liquid refreshment (save the beer for later) and up that Joy Score while making it a day to remember.
Comments