Many people make the wrong assumption that the terms stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets refer to a level of quality.

These terms designate the type of production methods used to make the cabinets, and are in no way indicative of quality. Fine cabinetry is available across all three., as is poor quality.

Simply put, stock cabinets are mass-produced; semi-custom are stock cabinets that can be altered to fit space requirements and custom cabinets are built to individual specifications.

Type	Features	Pros & Cons
Stock Price Range: Low - Med Quality Range: Poor - Excellent Note: The term builder grade refers to stock (mass produced) cabinets, not a quality grade level	Standard: Pre-Assembled - Mass produced Stored in warehouses awaiting shipment (hence the word 'stock') Available in both framed and frameless construction Variety of sizes, shapes, styles, wood species and finishes Example of Standard Features: half shelf in base cabinets Available Options: None Accessories as available Standard Widths: start at 9" with 3" increments to 48" Standard depths: 12" for wall cabinets and 24" for base cabinets, oven cabinets, and utility cabinets.	PROS: Most popular type of cabinet sold Readily available Can be ordered through retailers using the manufacturer's catalog Are generally available within a week to ten days of being ordered CONS: What you see is what you get Limited selection of styles, sizes, shapes, wood species, finishes & features. Fewer options available than semi-custom or custom cabinets. May not fit the kitchen space exactly. Filler strips are used to close any gaps between a cabinet and an appliance or wall. May or may not meet KCMA or ANSI standards
Semi-Custom Price Range: Med - High Quality Range: Poor - Excellent	Standard: Pre-Assembled - Manufactured Available in both framed and frameless construction Variety of sizes, shapes, styles, wood species and finishes Example Features: Basic stock cabinetry sizes still apply, but certain dimensions can be changed. Wider range of styles, construction materials and colors than stock cabinets Example Built-In Options: Unique storage units and accessories such as pullout bins, lazy susans, matching interiors, inverted frames Limited - depending on manufacturer Widths: Generally start at 9" with 1" increments to 48" (varies by manufacturer) Depths: Standard depths can be reduced or increased within manufacturer's guidelines	PROS: Second most popular type of cabinet Greater flexibility in the design process Wider range of styles, sizes, construction materials and colors than stock cabinets Offer more options than stock cabinets CONS: Construction of these cabinets begins only when the order is final, in order to make modifications to standard sizes Delivery time make take a month or longer. Changes can be expensive & increase delivery times Cabinets may not be returnable if they don't fit (see: Do You Need a Designer?) Cost more than stock cabinets Limited selection of styles, sizes, shapes, wood species, finishes & features. Fewer options available than custom cabinets. May not fit the kitchen space exactly. Filler strips are used to close any gaps between a cabinet and an appliance or wall. May or may not meet KCMA or ANSI standards
Custom Price Range: Highest Quality Range: Poor - Excellent	Built to Individual Specifications Available in both framed and frameless construction Ulimited variety of sizes, shapes, styles, wood species and finishes Production Methods: - Carpenter - Build to Job (on/off site) - Manufactured - Build to Order Example of Features: Unlimited Available Built-In Options: None Needed Standard Widths: n/a Standard depths: n/a	PROS: No limit to design, size, style, materials, colors, finishes or features. Constructed to precise design measurements Can provide total built-in convenience, without accessories CONS: Highest cost Substantial deposit required - May require payment in full when order is placed Delivery time may be 10-12 weeks or longer Homeowner or designer assumes responsibility for measuring accuracy Non-refundable, Non-returnable for non-production errors (see: Do You Need a Designer?) Wide range of pricing and construction standards: - Build to Job: (Carpenter)     Limited by skill & available materials     Warranty may be non-existent - Build to Order: (Manufactured)     Cabinets may or may not meet KCMA     or ANSI standards

See Also:

An Introduction to Cabinetry Stock, Semi-Custom, Custom Cabinet Quality - Part 1 Quality Cabinetry - Part 2 Cabinet Door Styles - Part 1 Cabinet Door Specialty Styles Cabinet Door Types Cabinet Hardware		Solid Wood Cabinetry Cabinet Materials/Finishes Engineered Wood Cabinet Wood Finishes Cabinet Basics - Wood Veneer Bathroom Vanities
related pages: Cabinet Allowances, Budgets, Costs Kitchen Allowances, Budgets, Costs - Part 1 Kitchen Allowances, Budgets, Costs - Part 2

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