#Buying Kitchen Cabinets - Choosing quality cabinetry

The basics of construction and a checklist of what to look for

Kitchen cabinets are arguably the most important and expensive purchase you ll make when remodeling your kitchen. They can account for between 50 70% of your kitchen budget, which is why it s important to put in time researching and planning this aspect of your project. Not only will you prevent headaches during the remodeling process, but a few years down the line you won t look at your cabinets in dismay as they start to look the worse for wear.

Start with a budget

Though cabinets can be more, chances are they will be in the 50% range of your remodel's total cost. Therefore, calculating your total budget figure is an important first step. Consider the value of your home, and the homes in your neighborhood before setting a remodeling budget. Depending on where you live, you may recoup between 60 100% of the total cost of the remodel.

If you are completely replacing cabinets, plan your workflow and storage needs, then figure out what type of cabinets will work best for your needs. Measure the area, using the standard base height for upper cabinets of 34 inches and for counters of about 36 inches. Adjust heights to accommodate the tasks and needs of the worker. It's a good idea to vary heights somewhat depending on what you're doing. If you are 6'-2 tall, you may want counters higher so you don't have to stoop. And if you break a leg and can't walk or are confined to a wheelchair, will you even be able to reach the counter? (Consider Universal Design standards to make your kitchen functional if aging in place or handicap-accessibility is one of your goals.)

For small and medium size kitchens less than 150 square feet, the average cabinetry is about 12 feet of wall cabinets and 13 feet for base cabinets. If you ve a larger kitchen, you may need more cabinetry for additional work space and storage.

It s best if you take the first measurements yourself, so when you look at cabinets at the store or in a magazine you have a better idea of which are available for the designated space.

Choosing a Cabinet Type

There are three types of cabinets to choose from, stock, semi-custom, and custom, each with their own perks and downfalls. Below is a table outlining these to make it easier to decide which is the most appropriate for your particular kitchen.