Is it cheaper to build your own cabinets or buy them?

Deciding whether to build your own kitchen or bathroom cabinets or purchase pre-made can be a big decision. As a home renovation expert who has remodeled dozens of rooms, I‘ve seen the pros and cons of both options first-hand. Custom building your own cabinets takes skill and time, but offers total creative freedom. Meanwhile, buying stock or semi-custom cabinets is easier but limits design flexibility.

In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through everything to consider so you can determine the most budget-friendly and practical choice for your next cabinetry project.

Cost Breakdown: Build vs Buy

Let‘s start by looking at typical costs for the DIY versus purchase options:

Building Your Own:

Materials – $30-100 per sq. ft. for wood, hardware
Tools – $2,000+ for table saw, miter saw, nail gun, etc.
Labor – 20-30 hrs for an average kitchen at $50/hr = $1,000-$1,500
Total – $3,000-$5,000+ for 10×10 kitchen

Buying Cabinets:

Stock – $100-150 per linear ft. So approx. $1,000-$1,500 for 10×10 kitchen
Semi-Custom – $200-300 per linear ft. So approx. $2,000-$3,000 for 10×10 kitchen
Custom – $500+ per linear ft. So $5,000+ for 10×10 kitchen

As you can see, there‘s significant overlap in the total costs. Custom building is comparable to buying custom cabinets, while DIY using stock materials is similar to buying budget-friendly stock cabinets.

Factors That Impact the Cost

Whether you‘re buying or building, several factors affect the final price tag:

Size – More and larger cabinets costs more.
Features – Rollouts, interior organizers add expense.
Materials – Solid oak costs more than particle board.
Doors/Drawers – Custom-built doors are pricey.
Hardware – Pricier hinges and pulls increase costs.
Labor – Hiring a pro adds high hourly fees.

I‘ll go into more detail on each element later in this guide. First, let‘s look at some money-saving tips.

Tips for Saving on Cabinets

In my experience, these strategies offer the biggest bang for your buck:

Buy ready-to-assemble (RTA). You save 30-50% by putting them together yourself.
Shop discount home centers like IKEA for affordable stock options.
Get contractor discounts from home improvement stores by registering as a pro.
Refurbish existing boxes rather than fully replacing cabinets.
Do your own simple installations and pay only for design help.
Compare quotes and look for sales – prices can vary widely!

Being a savvy shopper is key to getting the most cabinet for your money.

DIY vs Hiring a Carpenter

I‘m often asked if it‘s worth it to build your own cabinets. Here‘s my take as a seasoned home renovator:

DIY Pros:

Total control over the end product.
Fully customize sizes, design and features.
Cost savings from avoiding labor fees.

DIY Cons:

Steep learning curve around cabinetry techniques.
Need to invest in workshop tools like saws, drills, etc.
Very time intensive, expect to spend hours upon hours.
Risk of mistakes that ruins materials.

Hiring a Carpenter Pros:

Get expert craftsmanship and proper install.
No need to buy tools or learn new skills.
Carpenter fixes any issues down the road.

Hiring a Carpenter Cons:

High hourly rates drive up cost.
Less control and input on the design.

As you can see, there are compelling arguments for both options. In most cases, I advise homeowners to get the professionals involved unless they have solid woodworking experience. But for those up for the challenge, DIY cabinet projects can be very rewarding!

Custom vs Stock Cabinet Example Costs

To give you a better sense of potential total costs, let‘s look at some real-world examples for a 10×10 kitchen:

Custom cherry cabinets, professional installation:

Materials: $2,500
Labor: $3,500
Total: $6,000

RTA maple semi-custom cabinets, DIY install:

Cabinets: $3,000
Misc supplies/tools: $500
Total: $3,500

Stock thermofoil cabinets, DIY install:

Cabinets: $1,500
Misc supplies/tools: $300
Total: $1,800

As you can see, custom wood cabinets with pro installation is around 3X the cost of basic DIY stock cabinets. That‘s a savings of thousands of dollars.

Detailed Cost Factors

Now let‘s take a deeper look at all the variables that affect cabinet costs:

Cabinet Layout

The more cabinets you need, the more material and installation time is required. Some layout factors that increase cabinet costs:

Large kitchens with lots of wall cabinets and base cabinets
Intricate cabinetry like angled corners or built-in blind spots
Lots of specialty storage like pantry cabinets, microwave nooks, etc.

Simplicity is key for budget-friendly cabinetry. Carefully planning your layout can help avoid unnecessary expenses.

Cabinet Features

Basic cabinets just have fixed shelves and standard doors. You can spend a lot more by incorporating:

Rollout shelves, tray dividers and other functional interior organizers
Touch latches, soft-close hinges and other high-end hardware
Custom built-in storage for appliances
Adjustable shelves, mixer stands and other versatility enhancing add-ons

Only splurge on premium features where they‘ll really improve functionality. For most cabinets, basic is best to control costs.

Cabinet Materials

The wood species and materials used in construction impacts the price:

Material	Pros	Cons	Cost
Plywood	Durable, stable	Prone to swelling	$$
Particle board	Affordable	Prone to damage	$
MDF	Smooth finish	Heavy, dense	$$
Melamine	Scratch resistant	Can warp/peel	$
Solid wood	Beautiful, natural	Expensive	$$$

Particle board and melamine offer budget-friendly options. Solid wood costs a premium but looks stunning.

Doors and Drawers

You have choices when it comes to doors and drawers:

Slab – A solid flat panel. Simplest and most affordable.
Shaker – A flat center panel bordered by a frame. Classic style.
Raised panel – Beveled panel edged by a frame. Decorative option.
Glass insert – Glass window in door allows visibility.
Custom – Bespoke door built to your specifications.

Custom doors allow complete personalization but costs significantly more. Opt for a standard style like Shaker to save.

Hardware

Designer hardware brands like Emtek, Top Knobs and Liberty Hardware make high-end pulls, knobs and hinges that can enhance cabinets with aesthetic details. However, they also add a premium price tag, often $50+ per piece versus $1-$5 for generic hardware.

If your budget is tight, stick with simple satin nickel or bronze builder-grade hardware. For a minor splurge on a focal area like a kitchen island, designer hardware can provide personality.

Labor Costs

For custom cabinet jobs, labor often equals or exceeds the cost of materials. Skilled carpenters charge $60-150 per hour. It takes 20-30 hours for a kitchen, 10-15 for a bathroom. Do the math, and you could easily spend over $2,000 on labor alone!

This is where DIY building saves big. Even if it takes you twice as long, you don‘t pay huge hourly fees. My advice is get pro help for complex designs but do more straightforward installations and assembly yourself.

Material Comparison: Plywood vs. Melamine

Let‘s do a side-by-side look at two common cabinet materials – plywood and melamine:

	Plywood	Melamine
Cost	$$$	$
Durability	Very durable	Prone to damage
Appearance	Wood grain visible	Mimics wood look
Ease of Install	Moderate DIY skill needed	Easy for beginners

As you can see, melamine delivers big savings over plywood. But it may look more artificial and won‘t stand up to heavy use as well.

Get Multiple Quotes

I always advise clients to get 3+ quotes before starting any cabinet project. Prices can vary drastically between suppliers.

Here‘s an example of quotes I recently got for a small bathroom vanity:

Big Box Store – $650
Online Supplier – $850
Local Carpenter – $1,200

As you can see, the price difference between the highest and lowest quote is nearly double! The more quotes you get, the better deal you can find.

I recommend having a detailed plan with measurements and the exact cabinets desired before requesting quotes. This allows the most accurate pricing.

Watch for Sales

Keep an eye out for promotions and sales when shopping for cabinets:

Home Depot – 15% off coupons, Black Friday deals
Lowes – 10% military discount, seasonal savings
IKEA – Assemble your kitchen event, discontinued item savings
Wayfair – Sitewide sales around holidays, up to 80% off deals

Sign up for store emails and check Sunday circulars to find the best cabinet deals. Sales can slash hundreds off the price tag. Time your project right to maximize value.

Refacing Existing Cabinets

Instead of replacing cabinets entirely, consider refacing or refinishing existing boxes:

Resurface with new veneer, paint or laminate for $50/cabinet
Replace old doors and hardware for $30-$100/door
Add shelf liner, LED lights for $20/cabinet

Even a full cabinet refacing costs just $200-$500 per cabinet – far less than brand new!

As long as the boxes are sturdy, breathing new life into your old cabinets saves thousands. This is one of the most budget-friendly ways to upgrade your kitchen or bath.

Conclusion

Determining whether DIY or purchased cabinets are more affordable requires careful comparison of multiple factors. I hope this guide provided tips and real-world insights to help you make the best decision for your next project. Remember to get multiple quotes, look for sales and discounts, and consider refacing to get the lowest price. Feel free to reach out if you need any advice! I‘m always happy to offer my insider home renovation expertise to help you save.

Is it cheaper to build your own cabinets or buy them?