Ready-to-Assemble Kitchen Cabinets

Lisa F. Young
Whether you're installing a brand new kitchen or updating an existing one, ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets can be a great way to incorporate new style in a budget-friendly way.
Transitional Condo Kitchen Remodel
See All PhotosAs you start your kitchen remodel, you'll begin to immediately see that cabinets take up the majority of both the design space and the budget. Ready-to-assemble cabinets are a basic form of cabinet that can be picked up or delivered from a local neighborhood retailer. They typically come boxed and broken down into multiple parts along with instructions and hardware. They are meant to be put together by a DIY homeowner or hired help. They generally feature a low degree of difficulty when it comes to assembly, and they may save on labor costs as well.
The major advantage of ready-to-assemble cabinets is that they are inexpensive and convenient. Unlike custom cabinetry that is sold anywhere between $50-$500 per linear foot plus labor costs, ready-to-assemble cabinets are sold by the cabinet and usually range from $1500-$4500 unassembled for an entire 10x10 kitchen full of cabinets. They can be bought at local retailers without need for a pre-order and brought home immediately or delivered to your home conveniently.
One of the major disadvantages of ready-to-assemble cabinets is that there are a limited number of styles, materials and colors you can purchase. While these pre-made cabinets have come a long way in available colors, there are still only certain styles and materials available. Thermofoil is still a readily available and inexpensive material used in ready-to-assemble cabinets, although wood veneers and even real wood are newer options for homeowners wishing for a higher-quality cabinet.
While ready-to-assemble cabinets also can cut down on the labor costs that custom or even semi-custom cabinetry require, it is important that homeowners have some basic DIY skills in order to install their cabinets. Ready-to-assemble cabinets have to be put together and then hung, which requires some skill to ensure that they are safely assembled and installed. So if you are a hammer-savvy homeowner looking to renovate on a budget, check out ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets to see if they can get you closer to a new and improved kitchen design.