Kitchen Cabinet FAQs for Homeowners & Builders

RTA stands for ready-to-assemble. Quality varies widely among RTA lines, and each manufacturer has its own strengths and weaknesses. What you give up with RTA is selection, dimensional flexibility, and options. For perspective, a typical RTA line offers about 350 SKUs, while a semi-custom or custom line offers more than 1,500.

Frameless cabinetry offers a sleeker, more modern look than traditional framed cabinets, and today's high-end European lines are also available with traditional door styles. The tradeoff is installation: it's a different method, and not every installer is experienced with it. We can help you find installers who are.

To make comparisons easy, we price a standard 10' x 13' kitchen across the lines we carry. These figures are for cabinets only and reflect pricing as of October 2026:

• RTA: roughly $5,600 to $9,000
• Semi-custom and European: roughly $14,000 to $20,000
• Fully custom: around $32,000

As a general rule of thumb, cabinetry, countertops, and appliances together shouldn't exceed 7% of your home's value after the renovation, and that's the upper end. Our projects typically land in the 2% to 4% range. For more, see pricing your dream kitchen.

It varies by line. RTA orders are ready in under three weeks, and often in as little as 7 to 10 days. Semi-custom, custom, and European lines typically take 6 to 8 weeks, or about 9 weeks delivered.

We don't install, but we have a referral network of more than ten installers and can coordinate a quote for you. Installers vary, and we can help you compare them. We also have a budget spreadsheet that walks you through the full cost of a project, because installer and contractor quotes don't always include items like special electrical work and lighting.

We don't charge to measure your space and provide a quote. The consultation includes a general layout showing what fits in your kitchen, plus a budget range for the quality level you're considering. The biggest cost drivers are inserts, special modifications, and drawer bases, so we design for a worst-case scenario to show you the upper end of the price.

When you're ready for a full set of plans you can shop with, we ask for a $350 design fee, which is applied to your purchase if you order from us. We also back our pricing with a 5% price excellence guarantee: if you find a lower price on a comparable cabinet line, we'll beat it by 5%. Comparable means similar construction, materials, and price level. Not every line can be compared, so just ask us whether your quote qualifies.

You don't need to bring anything, but inspiration photos of your dream kitchen are a big help. Pinterest and Houzz are great places to collect them.

Yes, we do this all the time. Browse our vanities or cabinetry, then request a consultation to get started.

We ship and deliver to eastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Our white-glove service, which brings the cabinetry into your home, typically costs $350 to $750. You can save that fee by renting a truck and picking up at one of our distribution centers. Just ask us for details.

We extend the manufacturer's warranty by one year on semi-custom, custom, and frameless cabinetry. (The extension doesn't apply to RTA cabinetry.) If an item arrives damaged or missing, we'll replace it in full, no questions asked. Please document any damage or missing items within three days of delivery.

Payment is required up front for all orders. Once cabinetry is ordered, you have 48 hours to request changes. After that, a change fee applies, and the variable cost of any change is passed on to the customer. Exact terms vary by cabinet manufacturer.

Yes. Reviewing door styles and finishes is part of the design consultation.

Licensed tradespeople in the renovation industry qualify, including general contractors, interior designers, plumbers, electricians, floor installers, tile installers, and cabinet installers. Discounts depend on the company and the size of the project. There's no formal application: you simply need to show that you're licensed and insured. Learn more about our Trade Discount & Referral Program.

No. There is no minimum order.

Yes, and we recommend involving us while the room is being designed. A common mistake is window placement. A window centered on a wall may need to shift two or three inches in either direction to suit an upper cabinet size. If we prepare a simple layout with your architect early, they'll know exactly where to place it. See how we work with architects and interior designers.

This is where we stand out. When a cabinet needs a touch-up, repair, or repaint, we pick it up, handle the repair, and return it, so your installer or contractor doesn't have to. Our owner is a former builder and knows firsthand how frustrating it can be to work with cabinet companies, so we built our process to remove those frustrations. Mistakes happen on every job; what matters is how they're resolved.

We also hold a pre-order coordination meeting with your general contractor, your installer, and our design consultants before the kitchen is ordered, to work through any issues that might come up. Learn more on our Contractors & Builders page.