Custom kitchen cabinets are manufactured to the exact specifications of a specific order. Before any orders are placed, manufacturers make stock kitchen cabinets in standard sizes. The kitchen cabinets are kept in inventory by the manufacturer or shipped to regional distributors who then resell the cabinets to homeowners.

Just like custom orders cost more than mass produced items, custom kitchen cabinets are more costly than stock cabinets. Whether your custom kitchen cabinets are manufactured by a local cabinetry shop or by a big custom manufacturer, you will pay for the labor and expertise of experienced cabinetmakers. Because custom kitchen cabinets are planned and manufactured from scratch, they require a lot of attention to detail on the part of the cabinetmakers. It is usual to wait six to twelve weeks for a custom kitchen cabinet order. If you are planning a high-end kitchen or have special cabinet size requirements or finishes, you will find that the extra money you spend is well worth it.

Stock kitchen cabinets have the advantage of lower cost and faster delivery time. Because they are mass produced, they are priced from one- to two-thirds less than the comparable custom cabinets. For custom kitchen cabinets, the cost is usually $300 to $1,200 per lineal foot. For stock kitchen cabinets, you will pay about $75 to $250 per lineal foot.

The company’s distribution methods, and the availability of the stock kitchen cabinets determine the delivery time, which is usually two or three weeks. If the cabinets are in a local warehouse, they may be available for pickup on the same day you buy them. Cabinets that are ready to assemble and sold over the counter are often sold on a cash and carry basis.

Sometimes you can draw a fine line between the advantages of stock and custom kitchen cabinets. Many of the larger custom cabinet manufacturers make things easier by offering a vast range of standard cabinet sizes and finishes, sometimes up to 2000 options. When a custom order is placed, the manufacturer can modify the pre-made cabinets by altering the size, adapting the finishes or colors, or changing the accessories or the configurations of the cabinets.

Many smaller cabinet manufacturers often buy pre-manufactured parts, such as doors and drawer fronts. These parts are used in their custom cabinet orders.