Factors that Affect Pricing

There are many factors that can influence price when it comes to selecting cabinetry.  When choosing between cabinetry lines cabinet construction is a major factor.  Once a line is selected, door style, finish, and wood specie can all affect pricing.  Layout, sizing, and decorative materials all have a direct link to pricing, as well.

Construction

Cabinetry construction is important to the cost of the project, also the longevity of the product.  Better construction techniques are more costly due to more expensive materials and more extensive labor.  Different types of joinery can easily affect price, for example, dovetail, mortise and tennon, and dowel joinery is more costly than using glue and staples… however the longevity of the latter pales in comparison.  Structure materials like particle board cost less than engineered wood and plywood, but again do not last as long or stay as strong.  Construction is one thing that you do not want to skimp on.

Finish

Different finishes have different premiums.  In Wood-Mode and Brookhaven standard stains do not have a premium, but stains with a glaze or distressing or both do.  White, opaque paint finishes have a hardly noticeable premium.  The price does increase with glazes, vintage brushing, undercoats, and distressing.  Designer colors have a premium and color matching, while possible in Wood-Mode, adds to the price.  This is a good place to save money, there might be a similar finish without a glaze or without going custom that would suit your style just fine and be friendlier on your budget!

Wood Specie

This is an interesting topic because often clients do not have a preference at first.  Most of the wood choices at Cabinets & Designs do not have a premium.  You can choose from Oak, Maple, MDF, Heartwood Maple, Distressed Pine, White Melamine, Knotty Cherry, or Knotty Alder without an up-charge.  While Cherry, Quarter Sawn Red Oak, and Rift-Cut Veneer have a premium they do offer a specific look that some desire.  This is another place it is easy to save money, going from Cherry to Maple will give you a cost advantage.  Just be sure to compare the finishes because woods do not hold stain the same way.

Door Style

This is often the hardest to give up on.  Each door style has a different look and a different premium.  The more labor and materials used on a door the more expensive it will be.  Consider the different elements of the door that you like and if there is something you can give up, like a beaded moulding or an inset door style, you can find something similar with a lower premium.  Another way to save is by using slab fronts rather than 5-piece drawer fronts.  

Layout, Sizing, and Materials

Obviously the more cabinetry you have, the more expensive it will be.  You can consider changing the layout to create a more cost effective project.  Another way to save is to decrease the height of the cabinets.  Cutting extra materials like decorative trim, decorative crown moulding and valances, and feet/posts are an easy way to cut costs.

The professional kitchen designers here at Cabinets & Designs know all the ways to create the space of your dreams while staying within your budget.  Be sure to stop by and visit us soon!