Local big-box alternative for kitchen cabinets? Without going custom/$$$ (Raleigh: apartment, countertops)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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We are starting to look at new cabinets to replace the 1990s white stuff we have--the existing "plastic" ones we have (I forget what they are actually called) are pulling away from the walls and have other problems. The boxes are shot, so I don't think we can reface.
We would love to find a source that's an alternative to the Home Depot/lowes offerings that is comparable or less in price. We don't need installation and basically just want to replicate the layout we have--it's just a matter of getting cabinets that actually function in the same space.
I can't offer a recommendation on a local business. I can relate that when I did my kitchen remodel in Southern California I was able to get a better cabinet at a price comparable to that of a Home Depot quote. There should be room in the prices for the kitchen designer to make a deal.
Might be worth firing up Google to locate a place locally I seem to remember that was dialed into IKEA's software. They were able to do all the design work and generate a bill of materials here in town so you could then just make a run to IKEA and have at it. At one time they would even make the purchase for you, but I think it got to be too much hassle for them. IKEA's got some very nice cabinetry, pretty good quality and warranty.
When we built our house seven years ago, the kitchen and bath cabinets were done by 1st Choice Cabinetry. We've been very happy with the quality and installation.
For our garage-apartment, we used IKEA for cabinets, countertops and some appliances. You have limited styles/selections and sizes, but the product we got was really good quality and REALLY inexpensive. We ended up with a good size kitchen including lowers and some uppers, a pantry, sink, dishwasher, and quartz countertops for under $5,000 -- not including cabinet installation but including countertop installation.
Of course you have to assemble the cabinets (or hire someone to do it for you) but if you are handy it's a great way to go. There is a company in Raleigh that will design/install (and pick up the pieces for) an IKEA kitchen. Or: take your own measurements and use the software on IKEA's web site to design your cabinets. When you go to the store to place the order, you use the same software including your saved design for their staff to review your work and build your order.
For our main house, we went with CKS in Durham, a custom cabinet shop. While they are customs their price (about $18k for cabinets) was close to what big-boxes wanted for semi-custom. Quality has been very good but may be more than you want to spend.
When we built our house seven years ago, the kitchen and bath cabinets were done by 1st Choice Cabinetry. We've been very happy with the quality and installation.
+1 for 1st Choice, my wife and I worked with John Addair, very professional and knowledgeable.
Check out Surplus Warehouse. THey have about 7 or 8 types of stock cabinets, and they are MUCH nicer than what Lowes/HD offers. I just bought a ton of their maple (sheffield honey) cabinets for a flip we are doing. They are really much better alternative, and you can also get custom cabinets made there too if you want to pay a bit more.
Really great deal overall.
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