How to Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets: Kitchen Renovations Made Personal
By Kelly RichardsonRefacingCabinet.com Columnist
If potential kitchen renovations have you at a loss as to whether to buy stock kitchen cabinets or build your own, you're not alone. Many do-it-yourselfer (DIY-ers) grapple with the same dilemma.
Kitchen Renovations: To Buy or to Build?
So why build your own kitchen cabinets when you can just buy cabinets off the shelf? According to a buying test conducted by the professionals at Woodworking Seminars, the difference between buying and building is significant. The price to outfit the test kitchen in basic oak was $2,553.The same set in cherry brought the price to $3,403. Add another $110 for shipping.
However, the cost of building cherry cabinets for the same kitchen was an ever-agreeable $1,400. This price included a range of options that wouldn't have come with the pre-made set.
Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets: Where to Start
In any DIY project, identifying where to begin is half the battle. Rockler Companies, Inc. offers four starting points if you're considering this method of kitchen renovations:
- Doors and Drawer Fronts. Ideal for newbie construction, creating new doors and drawer fronts to place over existing casings reduces the difficulty level significantly
- Cabinet Drawers. More challenging but more room for customization; look for solid beech, "Baltic birch" plywood or white vinyl-coated particleboard kits you can assemble
- Drawer Slides. A critical consideration from the start--drawer slides come in a variety of options and your choice will depend on the type of cabinets you're building
- Hinges and Hardware. The finishing touches on your cabinetry; use this opportunity to inject personality into the kitchen space
The bottom line? If you're comfortable with your building skills, you can save significantly when you build your own kitchen cabinets. Plus, you'll enjoy increased customization and may still come in under budget.
About The Author
Kelly C. Richardson, MEd is a freelance writer and manic do-it-yourselfer. He specializes in home improvement projects ranging from savvy landscaping to house repair and beyond. Find out more about him at kellyrichardsoncopywriting.com.
