Custom-Built vs. Ready-Made Cabinets: Which Is the Better Value?
Storage space is something no one can have too much of. Many times, as we live in our homes for longer periods of time, we discover we need more room. Closets that are stuffed to capacity, pantries filled to the brim or stacks of CDs and DVDs cluttering the floor are many of the common complaints homeowners have. Cabinets and shelving (often referred to as “millwork”) are excellent solutions to the frustrating problem of limited storage areas. Two questions that always enter any discussion of home improvements are “How much will it cost?” and “Will it bring value to my house?” The best advice in finding answers is to start by making a list of the areas that feel cramped or where there is a need for more space. Let’s say your list looks something like this:
- Kitchen
- Laundry
- Closets
- Pantry
- Great Room
- Playroom
- Garage
The next step is to look at what needs to be done in each room. The larger the size of the space and the more detail in the design, the more the projects will cost. For example, adding a cabinet above the washer and dryer in the laundry room will be much less involved than designing an ornate, complex entertainment system for the great room. Decide what you want in each room and add that information to your list.
Finally, evaluate the choices: custom-built or ready- made cabinets and shelving. There are many ready- made solutions that offer decent quality, and the up- front price is less than that of custom-made. It is rare, however, for a ready-made unit to fit exactly into a given space. If ready-made is what you can afford, then take care to measure carefully. You can always add an umbrella or plant stand in the leftover corner.
Custom millwork will give you the most storage space because it is built to the exact room dimensions and outfitted to your needs. Bookshelves, walk-in closets or entertainment units that fit the style of the house, are of good quality and have good designs look professional and add a great deal of value to your home. When you choose quality materials, custom cabinets are sturdy enough to withstand a household with small children. They are, however, significantly more expensive than “stock” cabinets.
In order to help you decide if it’s worth the extra expense, consider how long you’ll be in your home. If you’re planning to move within the next 2-5 years, custom millwork may not be worth the cost, as you won’t generally have time to recoup from the expense.
If you’re set on custom cabinetry, but need ways to cut costs, you might consider using less expensive materials in the cabinet boxes and backs or even painting the cabinets or shelving yourself.
Either way, cabinets and shelves are always desirable features in homes, so you simply can’t lose by adding more.