WHY WOULD I NEED SEMI CUSTOM CABINETS?

By Jenny Cazares

Semi-custom cabinets:  

• Are built to order
• Have many door styles available
• Have many finishes available
• Have many wood options available
• Often offer cabinet widths in 1 ½” increments (in addition to the standard 3” increments)
• Allow modification for depths of the wall, base, and tall cabinets 
• Allow for customization; adding details that will create a more custom look

Why would I need semi-custom cabinets?

If you’re looking for a cabinet that offers more than your basic styles and colors, and your budget allows for more than stock cabinetry, then semi-custom might be right for you. 

If you:

• want a better-constructed cabinet box than available with a stock cabinet
• want a certain painted finish not available with a stock cabinet
• want a certain stain not available with a stock cabinet
• want a certain wood species not available with a stock cabinet
• have design specifications that cannot be met with a stock cabinet
• need additional dimension options than available with a stock cabinet
• want mullions in your wall cabinets not available with a stock cabinet

Is semi-custom similar to custom?

Yes and no. Although there are similarities between the two, there are many differences as well.

Similarities:

• Built to order
• Custom colors available
• Many wood options are available

Differences:

• Construction is generally better with custom 
• Door styles
  • Semi-customs are limited (more available options than stock)
  • Custom – unlimited
• Finishes
  • Semi-customs are limited (more available options than stock)
  • Custom – unlimited
• Moldings, trim, etc.
  • Semi-customs are limited (more available options than stock)
  • Custom – unlimited
• Cabinet details, sizes, functionality, etc.
  • Semi-customs are limited (more available options than stock)
  • Custom – unlimited

Will semi-custom cabinets be less expensive than custom?

Semi-custom is generally less expensive than custom. However, there are factors that can cause the cost to match, or exceed, that of custom cabinets.

What can affect the cost of semi-custom cabinets?

Remember those cabinet modifications we talked about? Well, include enough of those and you’ll see the cost rise higher than the dough in your Cuisinart bread maker!

The following can all add cost to your semi-custom cabinet design:

• Modifications to cabinet dimensions
• Certain finishes, ie distressing and glazes
• Accessories: ie. rollouts, lazy susans, utensil pullouts, spice pullouts, etc
• Inserts: ie, spice inserts, utensil inserts, etc.
• In essence, the more you add, the more your total cost will increase 

Oftentimes, when a client starts with semi-custom cabinets and then adds many of the items listed above, the cost may get very close, or even exceed, the cost of John Dean Custom Cabinets. At this point, your Dean Cabinetry designer will point out that it might make sense to switch to John Dean Custom Cabinets.

Semi-custom cabinets are an excellent choice for many clients; the quality and number of door styles, finishes, and design options are abundant. Discuss your layout and design with your designer, and your possibilities with semi-custom cabinets. 

Your designer is happy to help guide you through the process, to create a beautiful, functional kitchen, all within your budget.