Is It Cheaper to Buy Cabinets or Have Them Built?

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation and Googled this exact question at 2 a.m. with a cup of tea in one hand and a calculator in the other… you're not alone.

"Is it cheaper to buy cabinets or have them built?"

This question has haunted homeowners since the dawn of DIY shows. The answer? It depends. But don’t worry—we’re about to save you from a world of confusion (and possible regret)

Custom Cabinets: Luxury or Just Extra?

Let’s start with the grand-daddy of cabinet choices: custom-built.

These are crafted specifically for your kitchen space by a carpenter or local cabinet maker, often from premium materials and based on your exact specs. Sounds dreamy, right? But that dreamy kitchen comes with a not-so-dreamy invoice.

What You're Really Paying For:

✔ Skilled labor

✔ Custom dimensions

✔ Premium hardwoods and finishes

✔ Time-consuming design consultations

And time. Lots of time. Because unlike buying from a showroom, your custom cabinets aren’t sitting in a warehouse. They're being designed, cut, assembled, finished, and maybe even tweaked ten times before installation day.

The Cost Range:

You’re looking at $500 to $1,200+ per linear foot, depending on materials and complexity.

For an average 10x10 kitchen? That could mean $15,000 to $30,000+, and we haven’t even added the gold leaf drawer pulls yet.

Buying Cabinets: The Secret to Looking Luxe on a Budget

Now let's talk about buying cabinets off the shelf—or better yet, from a factory outlet. This isn't about compromising quality. It’s about cutting out middlemen, mass production savings, and giving your budget room to breathe.

What You Get When You Buy:

✔ Predictable pricing

✔ All-wood, pre-manufactured options

✔ Fewer decisions (a blessing in disguise)

✔ Styles and sizes made to fit most kitchens

✔ Immediate availability in many cases

You're essentially trading the bespoke boutique experience for a value-packed, high-style solution—and frankly, your guests will never know the difference.

The Cost Range:

Buying stock or semi-custom cabinets typically runs $100 to $300 per linear foot. For that same 10x10 kitchen, that’s $3,000 to $6,000, give or take, plus installation.

If you're buying from the right place (not naming names… okay, maybe us), you’ll get professional-grade quality and looks, minus the mortgage-level stress.

Which One is Actually Better?

Here’s a simple comparison:

Custom cabinets are great for unique spaces, ultra-luxury homes, or folks with money to burn. But for most people? Buying cabinets is the smarter play—especially when you can still get all-wood, stylish options that feel custom without the custom price tag.

Real Talk: What Are You Really After?

If your main goals are:

• Saving money ✔

• Getting it done quickly ✔

• Avoiding decision fatigue ✔

• Still ending up with beautiful, durable cabinets ✔

...then buying wins. Every. Time.

But if you have a historic home with 17 walls, uneven corners, and a burning need for walnut cabinetry hand-carved by Norwegian monks—then yes, custom might be your best bet.

Pro Tips to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck

1. Avoid Particleboard: No matter how cheap, it's not worth it. It swells. It warps. It weeps under pressure. Choose all-wood or plywood at minimum.

2. Look for In-Stock Lines: Some outlets carry popular styles that are readily available—no long waits, no stress.

3. Consult a Designer: Even if you’re buying stock cabinets, a pro designer can help you avoid layout mistakes and wasted space.

4. Watch for Hidden Costs: Some “cheap” options become expensive when you add shipping, fillers, crown molding, and trim. Ask for the real total.

Orlando Homeowners, This Is For You

Here in Central Florida, you're lucky to have access to outlets that offer:

✅ All-wood cabinets
✅ Huge selection of in-stock styles
✅ In-person designers
✅ No big box headaches

(Hint: one such place rhymes with “Painless Kitchen Doubtlet.” Wait…)

Thinking of Upgrading?

If you're torn between buying ready-made or custom-built, here’s the good news:

At Timeless Kitchen Outlet, we help you achieve that designer showroom look—without the luxury price tag.

✅ 50+ styles of all-wood cabinets
✅ Local showroom with real humans to help
✅ Fast turnaround
✅ Transparent pricing

📍 Visit us: 2591 N Forsyth Rd Suite A & B, Orlando, FL, 32807

☎️ Call us at (321) 284-2580 — for expert advice or a quick walk-through

Final Answer?

Yes—it's almost always cheaper to buy cabinets than to have them built.

And when you buy smart, it doesn't just save you money—it saves your kitchen from looking like it’s still stuck in 1998.