Standard Kitchen Cabinets

Standard kitchen cabinets are those which cabinetmakers keep on hand and produce in quantity rather than waiting on custom orders. There are certain standard sizes that cabinets come in, both in height and width. And the designs of these models are fairly limited in terms of the available door panels, finishes, and hardware. Standard cabinetry is much less expensive than a custom order, for obvious reasons. Yet consumers can find some top quality products in a company's stock if they have a discerning eye.

Stock Cabinetry is Mass Produced

Unlike custom models, stock cabinetry is mass produced and is shipped to suppliers or warehoused until orders come in. There are numerous advantages to the availability of inexpensive standard kitchen cabinets. Let us take the example of a home builder to illustrate some of those advantages. Any of these scenarios could just as easily apply to a homeowner as well.

Builders that use a particular manufacturer can have on hand color charts and information on different available finishes, hardware, and other details. If there is a buyer involved during the building process they can work directly with the buyer to quickly plan the stock kitchen cabinets, and then place an order with the manufacturer. In some cases the cabinetry can be had right away if it is truly in stock; but in any case, the lead time is dramatically less than it would be for custom cabinetry. The kitchen can be put together much sooner and the interior of the home finished usually many weeks ahead when stock kitchen cabinets are selected. And of course, there is the advantage of monetary savings. Stock cabinetry is much more affordable because it usually utilizes less expensive materials, and because standard sizes are in use, making production faster and much simpler.

Standard Cabinetry is More Affordable

Since standard kitchen cabinets are made in greater quantities and are often manufactured using cheaper materials, they are more affordable for the builder. In turn, the cost of putting a kitchen together is also cheaper for the home buyer. Everyone benefits financially from the setup. In years past, manufacturers would produce quite a supply, sending them to suppliers to have on hand before orders were placed. This cut lead time down tremendously. A home builder or remodeler with a trailer or a cube van could show up and buy a whole kitchen's worth of cabinets in many cases.

These days with manufacturing costs up and the housing market tighter, lean manufacturing principles even apply to standard kitchen cabinets, so it is not quite as appropriate to call them "stock" anymore since they are not always kept in stock. Still, these units are much less expensive than their custom counterparts and lead time is in any case much less than it would be in the event of a custom order.

High Quality Low Priced Kitchens

Buyers can save big by opting for standard kitchen cabinets. Since there is no special process to complete an order, the manufacturer does not require a premium to put together these products. Unlike a custom order, standard kitchen cabinets can be had for less money and usually in much less time.

Custom made cabinets are beautiful, but they are extremely expensive. In addition to the cost of materials, you are also paying for the expertise of an experienced cabinetmaker. A standard kitchen, by contrast, can be manufactured at the factory. Today's designs and materials are so strong and there are so many options that you can find great standard kitchen cabinets for less money and still get a high quality product.