GC wants to use builder grade junk. We're 6-8 weeks out and now scrambling to find something of better/decent quality with some options for customization of the drawers/organizers etc. These are standard sizes etc. with a base cabinets/bookshelves in the living area. We looked at McCoy's yesterday and they were better but still leave a lot to be desired. What other options are there? Does HD/Lowes make anything decent?

East of San Antonio

If you get no referrals from licensed architects, interior designers (not decorators) nearby, then
it seems to me that we might avoid big box stores, else run into builder-grade again.
To be fair, builder may be aware that his way is the fast track and all others - these days - are slow boats from China solutions.

Search 1
http://rb.gy/pdn7rf
This Google search will include nonsense suggstions but at least the real deal cabinet shops are publically rated to filter your choices.

Search 2+
might include BBB
HOUZZ, etc.

I have two friends that were happy with cabinets to go and one is a home builder. My neighbor owns Copano custom cabinets out of New Braunfels but I don't know what his lead time is right now.

About 8k I think. GC has $18k for "Kitchen", not including countertops. Appliances were $7500.

Google says Copano is permanently closed. Can you give me website or contact info?

James Birk is the owner, tell him Matt and Becky sent you. Try 830-837-6592 or you can email him at James.birk@hotmail

I think Ikea has come a ways but I've still heard they won't hold up to kids.

Check out Michael Edwards Custom Cabinets. I think they are off I-10. Call them and tell your situation.

I agree. Trying to make the most of it.

If that's your price point, try AB Supply Corp in Houston area. Sales Department
Advanced Building Supply
Office: 713-939-4945

Second for Michael Edwards Custom Cabinets of Camp Bullis Rd and I-10. They have a huge facility and may be able to accommodate your time line. 8k is going to be tight. Is that cabinets only or include install?

My $.02.

First, find where any potential cabinets are made. China made cabinets are terrible in terms of materials, glue, finish (may out-gas with formaldehyde smell for a long time), etc. Just because they are plywood carcasses, doesn't mean they are better.

Second, a good installation can go a long way to helping a 'budget' kitchen in the long run. Sometimes GC's put their lower level people on cabinet install because they think it doesn't matter. But making sure all appliances fit the way they should, molding install, and other details matter a lot.

Next, due to time frame crunch, maybe get basic no frills cabinets and add organizers later yourself (I/we can guide you through how to do it, or via a cabinetmaker later on? Like buying a condo, if you make upgrades now they will whack you. Maybe better to get moved in and see what kind of organizers you want after you get set up. Rev-a-Shelf is one of the main suppliers of all your basic kitchen organizers. (Hafele and Hettich are higher end storage solutions.) Doing it later will probably cost about the same as the upcharges when getting them now.

Last, IKEA is a great idea. Solid cabinets, good hardware, lots of choices. Your time crunch may make this your best option on availability alone?

PS $8k for cabinets...wow?! I can't imagine what they would look like and function?

Oh one other option for OP:

PrimeCabinetry.com

They have both RTA/assembled RTA and semi-custom.

I've known two people who used them in their home and $8K is probably doable, but depends on whether you have a large island or not.

evan_aggie said:

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Oh one other option for OP:

PrimeCabinetry.com

They have both RTA/assembled RTA and semi-custom.

I've known two people who used them in their home and $8K is probably doable, but depends on whether you have a large island or not.

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I installed RTA cabinets in a rental a few years ago. Glued any non-floating seams and used brads to hold the cabinet boxes together. Cabinets were solid and still look good. I know they aren't everyone's favorite, but for the price, I was pleased. I have "custom" cabinets in my house which are significantly nicer than the RTAs. The soft close drawers/doors make the RTAs feel more premium

We used a company years ago that installed Mid-Content cabinets. They were decent, but for the price we paid (back then), Kraftmaid / Schuler would have been better.

For our recent kitchen remodel, we ended up using KraftMaid. The end result was nice, but the process with HD and iteration was an absolute nightmare. Things arrived damaged, 3-5 week replacement time, etc.

We had some custom shelves built under our staircase, and the guys used some HDF board that they swear by due to its affordability and durability. Kraftmaid had this same product, but the idea of paying so much for a "high performing" pressed board felt backwards.

We ended up paying basically the same price for Maple doors.

At this point it sounds like OP is pressed for time and going with the absolute cheapest option and then putting something better in once you know what you want may be best.

One quick note, just because your cabinets are made in a shop does not mean they won't be particle board!

I had it out with our builder because several of our "custom hardwood cabinets were particle board carcass with hardwood panels on the exterior. He replaced every cabinet with solid wood (cabinet grade plywood for the carcass). I just would not accept particle board in bathrooms.

If you are that far in and just now learning of the cabinet situation, you are likely getting builder grade junk. I'd also pay close attention to any "upgrades " you paid for, sometimes the upgrade is worse that builder grade, it just looks "nicer". Think plumbing and lightning fixtures.

I never was too fond of RTA cabinets until I bought a few boxes from Barker Cabinets to make a dry bar out of. They're all plywood and pretty heavy. No shake or wiggle to them at all when they're put together, they're the kind of thing that will last as long as you want them to.

Made in the US but like all things there was a pretty big lead time when I put the order in last year.

jtp01 said:

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One quick note, just because your cabinets are made in a shop does not mean they won't be particle board!

I had it out with our builder because several of our "custom hardwood cabinets were particle board carcass with hardwood panels on the exterior. He replaced every cabinet with solid wood (cabinet grade plywood for the carcass). I just would not accept particle board in bathrooms.

If you are that far in and just now learning of the cabinet situation, you are likely getting builder grade junk. I'd also pay close attention to any "upgrades " you paid for, sometimes the upgrade is worse that builder grade, it just looks "nicer". Think plumbing and lightning fixtures.

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Regarding particle board... some custom cabinet folks are transitioning to a HDF hybrid with moisture resistance. It looks like particle board but can literally get rained on and doesn't swell. The cabinet maker I spoke with was convinced enough to transition most of his jobs using it. I argued a bit, but he swore by it after leaving doors out in the rain by accident and it drying out completely unaffected.

Where are you?

Call Benedettini. https://www.benedettinicabinetry.com/

Yah those definitely look like '$8k for a kitchen' type of cabinets

txag2008 said:

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Yah those definitely look like '$8k for a kitchen' type of cabinets

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Forgot the $1 or the $2 in front.

bmfvet said:

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Look at IKEA. We ended up using them for remodel cabinets in kitchen and bathroom. They have held up well for 6 years, have all kinds of options. And the cost was much better than any other option.

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Another vote for IKEA. We did our kitchen in IKEA boxes/drawers/hardware, but ordered custom doors from Allstyle. We sent them our IKEA kitchen layout and everything came pre-drilled and exactly matched the IKEA door and drawer hardware. For the ends, I sent the sales rep the top, bottom, and diagonal dimensions for each end piece and they came exactly the right size. We gave them the color we wanted and everything was professionally sprayed in a booth with Benjamin Moore paint to the color we picked, and we couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

We have a kitchen that looks high-end and cabinets that are extremely customizable. Case-in-point: my wife decided she wanted to re-organize a few of the drawers last fall (remodel was in 2017), and we ended up with some extra vertical clearance between the bottom drawer and the drawer above it. I was able to walk into IKEA and get an additional interior drawer that took about 15 min. to assemble and install and it fits perfectly, giving us even more storage.


Also, since no one else has said it yet (that I saw), go with all drawers on the bottom if possible. I guarantee you won't regret it.

nm

Keith Hazelwood in College Station
He works other cities as well. He did some cabinets for us and we were happy with the price and the work.

I have no idea what his workload is like right now. You would have to call and ask.

979.seven seven seven.9054

Max- who did you end up going with for the cabinets?

We haven't made a decision, still waiting on some estimates.

Home Outlet www.homeoutlet.com (use to be Surplus Warehouse) has a lot of inexpensive options also. We've used their plain oak stuff in rentals but a friend does a lot of rehab work and likes all the way up their line. Especially their availability.

On ours, we looked at IKEA ($13k) and used their mockup tool to do the layout, but didn't love the options. Were really close on using Prime Cabinetry mentioned above. I want to say they were around the same price but IIRC seemed a little better quality.

We ended up finding a local cabinet maker (friend of a friend) to make them instead because we had a few too many custom things (shallow under island cabinets on one side, drawer microwave, built-in double fridge opening, odd widths) that were going to need a custom touch anyway. It was only $15k installed which also included several vanities which was very fair, but they were all nude. They then had to be door-off'd painted/stained, reassembled, and then pulls installed. That added several more k, but I think it was definitely a better fit for the space. I wish I would have moved the stupid island over another foot. but oh well.

On our customs, we painted the outsides to go with a specific scheme, but only clear coated the insides and we love the rich wood look inside. Still shows off the craftsmanship and a little special IMO. We also painted them an odd color (not white or gray), so that helps them look a little custom still also. I wouldn't be afraid of a little delay if that ends up being the best long-term direction.

I hated just about every part of that decision-making process but love the outcome. Hope you do too, whatever you choose. Good luck!