New kitchen cabinets

[Danno30008]

Hey Everyone:
We are thinking about re-doing our kitchen and this would include new cabinets.
I have no idea of cost per foot at the box stores and really don't think I have the talent yet to tackle this job... ( I would like to think I do, but reality is different.:))
So, how do I determine what a fair price is for the cabinets? I don't want junk, nor can I afford solid cherry.. is there a happy medium and if so, again, what is a ball park price to pay?
We will do the install ourselfs so please take that into consideration.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and take care
Dan

[Don]

Hey Danno. Man, that's a tough question. Back in the day a quick rule of thumb was about $150 per foot minimum, relatively cheapo cabinets, base and upper and a simple laminated square edge top. But that was then, I'm sure you are all over the map now with prices. One of those, "let your wallet be your guide" situations. I wouldn't be surprised to see prices ranging from $100 for simply unfinished birch, slab doors to $5-600 for top of the line stuff.

I project manage the installation of kitchens for national builders, these guys are getting the lowest possible prices. In looking at the big picture I would say that the average for a standard kitchen and top, including installation is about three grand.

With kitchen cabinets, it's the look that you are really going for. If you can cut up plywood and build a box you might want to consider buying the doors and fronts from one of many suppliers, there are even places that supply top quality drawers. We've done this for years and it's a cost effective way to get top quality without paying through the beak for it. Here are a couple of links to consider.

http://www.valendrawers.com/ for drawers and;

http://www.keystonedoors.com/ for doors

All the best, Don

[Danno30008]

Don:

Thanks for the info...

I found this site on the web have you or anyone else had any experience with these guys?
http://www.instockkitchens.com/store/pc/home.asp

On the surface, they look like they make quality product, the problem is actually seing what you buy, before you buy it, know what I mean?

I did go to HD and their cabinets are just plain old crap... MDF with some kind of wood look a like as a face. NO way will I put that crap in our house.

I can manage making a box and then adding the doors, I will look into the sites you gave me.

If you or anyone else has a chance to offer feedback about this site, it would be helpful.

Take care and Happy New Year!

[Dagster]

Nice links Don! I'm going to be remodeling our kitchen in a year or so and was considering making all the cabinets but wasn't sure I wanted to finish them all. The face frames and doors might be a good compromise. I'll have to consider that unless I'm up for finishing the cabinets as well.

[jcclark]

Most of the big box home stores have different grades of cabinets.
Usually about 3.
Go look at the differences, usually the drawers and doors is where the
money is. And of course, the sides-any decent cabinet will have
ply for the sides, not particle board with paper.
If you compare the different priced lines against each other you'll
quickly see a lot of differences.
I looked at some at Home Depot and was quite impressed with their
upper grade ones. Real wood and dovetailed drawers, and solid looking
construction. For the money-not bad.
This was a few years back-I hope it's not changed.

I ended up making my own. For woodworking, kitchen cabinets are
really one of the easiest thing to make, there's just a lot of em'.
But if you just do one at a time,like I did, eventually you'll have them.
It took me two winters off and on to get them done, but I'm glad
I made my own.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f386/jcquack/Furniture/DSC02139.jpg

[Dagster]

Nice work!

I agree, easy woodworking but lots of em. My big thing is getting the quality finish I like on all surfaces inside and out. That can be a chore.

[jcclark]

That's why I like spraying lacquer,
I can finish several cabinets, inside and out, in a couple of hours.:cool:

[mmwood_1]

When I do kitchen cabinets, I use veneered ply for the boxes, solid wood for face frames(mortise and tenoned) or front edging if frameless; baltic birch ply for the drawer boxes(all dovetailed)with a solid wood attached face; usually frame and panel doors, with full mortise and tenon joints in the corners; 100# steel ball bearing slides, full extension; euro-hinges on the doors; and a sprayed polyurethane finish. For these, I generally estimate about $350/linear foot of cabinets, finished and installed. This does not include countertops or pulls. Pulls can vary widely from $1 each to $40 each, and most people seem to put off the decision until near the end. If there's a pantry involved, I triple the linear footage of that cabinet, i.e. if it's 3 feet wide by 7' tall, I calculate its linear footage at 9'. Raised panel doors, gadget hardware, etc. are all extras. Hope that helps as a guideline.

[bogydave]

I'm kind of demoralized. All you guys call this easy woodworking.
Don't tell my wife how easy you all think kitchen cabinets are.
That would be an addition to the list.
When I call the quality of cabinets in the above picture "easy" is when I enter the relm of a good woodworker.
I might tackle the bana hanger on the counter.
Nice work JC.

[Don]

I missed the bannana hanger. My dad made me one years ago. Whenever they are coming to visit the wife runs to the store for bannanas and gets the thing out of the closet.

dawjr

[jcclark]

Bogydave:
Try building just one cabinet, I think you'll be surprised
how well you do.:)