Kitchen Cabinet Types: Custom vs Semi vs Prefab Kitchen Cabinets
Do you know the difference between kitchen cabinet types. In this article, we cover the differences and the pros and cons of each type of kitchen cabinet available when remodeling your kitchen.
As you may already know, one of the most popular home renovations is remodeling the kitchen. Besides being the showpiece of a home, an updated kitchen brings the most return on your investment when you finally decide to sell your home.
One of the features of a kitchen that makes the most difference in appearance are the kitchen cabinets. While cabinets seem fairly standard, you may be surprised to learn that there are a large variety of cabinets available to choose from. So what’s the difference?
At Builder Boy, we are a licensed general contractor and full-service home remodeling company. We work with our residential customers to help them update all areas of their homes, with kitchens being one of the most popular renovations we do. We often help homeowners decide on which cabinets will work best for them.
In this article, we compare the benefits and drawbacks of custom, semi, and prefab kitchen cabinets.
What Are Custom Kitchen Cabinets?
Custom kitchen cabinets are designed and built specifically for your project. These are the right option for someone who wants control of the design specifications, has a flexible budget, and is not in a hurry.
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Pros
- Made with all the features you want
- Tailored to your space
- Custom color design and style
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Can Include All The Features You Want
Whether you want soft-close drawers, a lazy susan, or an appliance garage, having custom cabinets gives you the freedom to have your cabinets function exactly as you’d like.
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Are Built To Fit Your Space
Unlike other options where you are limited to standard cabinet sizes, custom kitchen cabinets allow you to build the cabinets to perfectly fit your kitchen. This allows you to add depth to the cabinets for extra storage.
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Offers The Greatest Craftsmanship And Style Flexibility
From a design perspective, you have the ability to choose any color, finish or texture you wish. Custom cabinets offer the highest quality
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Cons
- Most expensive cabinet option
- Long turnaround time
Custom Cabinets Are Expensive Compared To Other Cabinet Options
Not surprisingly, all the extra quality and customization comes at a cost. Custom is the most expensive form of kitchen cabinets.
Custom Cabinets Take The Longest Amount Of Time To Receive
If you are on a tight schedule and want your cabinets installed asap, then custom is not the option for you. Custom kitchen cabinets are the least time efficient option in this article due to the time necessary to design, build, and install the cabinets.
What Are Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets?
Semi-custom, or semi, kitchen cabinets are the middle ground between custom and store bought, prefab cabinets. While you cannot completely design your cabinets from scratch, you can alter some details to make them better suited for your kitchen. This is a great choice when looking for the best of both custom and prefab.
Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets Pros
- Opportunity for some modifications to be made
- Costs less than custom cabinets
- Ready faster than custom cabinets
Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets Are Able To Be Modified
Semi-custom cabinets give you some ability to design your cabinets to your desired preferences. You usually will have plenty of colors, stains and hardware to choose from, so you aren’t limited to what is just carried on the shelves. You are also able to change other components such as door sizes, drawers, and cabinet depth.
Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets Are More Affordable Than Custom
Semi-custom cabinets do not require the same labor and attention to detail that custom cabinets do. This results in them often being anywhere from 15-30% less than custom cabinets.
Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets Offer More Time Efficiency Than Custom
Since semi cabinets are still somewhat standard, they are faster to make. This means they are ready to be installed quicker than custom cabinets.
Semi Kitchen Cabinets Cons
- Cannot be completely your own design
- Takes longer and costs more than prefab
Semi-Custom Cabinets Cannot Be Completely Customized
While we mentioned that you can make certain changes to semi kitchen cabinets, you do not have nearly the amount of flexibility and design power that you do with custom cabinets. You are still limited in certain aspects such as being limited to standard cabinets sizes only.
Semi- Custom Is Not The Most Affordable Or Time Efficient Cabinet Option
If you are looking for the fastest and most affordable type of cabinetry, semi-custom is not the best fit. While it is more affordable and faster than custom, semi kitchen cabinets still cost more and take longer than other cabinet options.
What Are Prefab Kitchen Cabinets?
Prefab, short for prefabricated, kitchen cabinets are stock cabinets which are carried by big box stores and come as is. There is no customizing these cabinets and you are limited to what is available. These cabinets are the right choice when looking for the quickest, most economical option.
Prefab Kitchen Cabinets Pros
- The most budget friendly option
- Available immediately
Prefab Kitchen Cabinets Are The Most Economical
When you need the most affordable cabinet option, prefab is definitely the way to go. This option is by far less than semi and custom cabinets.
Prefab Kitchen Cabinets Are Readily Available
Need cabinets today? Prefab offers the greatest time efficiency. You can often pick them up from the store same day or just have to wait a short time for them to be delivered if what you want is not in stock.
Prefab Kitchen Cabinets Cons
- Generally poorer quality than other options
- Limited options
Prefab Kitchen Cabinets Lack Quality
These cabinets are often made with cheap materials that are not durable and will not hold up overtime. This can impact other parts of your kitchen as well. For example, if you are choosing a heavier countertop, such as quartz, prefab cabinets may not be strong enough to support the weight which will most likely result in them not functioning properly over time.
In addition to the material, these cabinets also do not include installation. You will either have to assemble and install them yourself, or hire someone to install them which is an additional cost.
Prefab Kitchen Cabinets Have Limited Options
Prefab kitchen cabinets force you to work with what you have as opposed to what you want. You are limited to the sizes, styles, and colors that are carried in stores.
Custom Cabinets Are Expensive Compared To Other Cabinet Options
Not surprisingly, all the extra quality and customization comes at a cost. Custom is the most expensive form of kitchen cabinets.
Custom Cabinets Take The Longest Amount Of Time To Receive
If you are on a tight schedule and want your cabinets installed asap, then custom is not the option for you. Custom kitchen cabinets are the least time efficient option in this article due to the time necessary to design, build, and install the cabinets.
Which Kitchen Cabinets Should You Choose?
When choosing your kitchen cabinets, carefully evaluate your budget and design objectives.
Custom kitchen cabinets are best for:
- Creating the design, sizes, and features you want
- Higher budgets
Semi kitchen cabinets are best for:
- Cost savings while also being able to modify
Prefab kitchen cabinets are best for:
- Most economical option
- Immediate availability
When you do make a decision on the right cabinets, find a quality contractor like Builder Boy that will go above and beyond to make sure the outcome of your kitchen is everything you dreamed it would be. Take the first step to starting your project by requesting a free estimate today.
