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or photograph friends’ kitchens so you will have a jumping-off point to begin
discussions with your designer or vendors.
• Advance planning will save time and money. Once the project is underway,
keep changes to a minimum.
• Prepare a prioritized wish list, ranging from “must-haves” to “nice-to-haves.”
Don’t get distracted by expensive bells and whistles that aren’t on your list.
• Don’t forget the environment your kitchen will be in. Kitchens are more
than just cabinets and counters; flooring and lighting are integral parts of
the kitchen experience.
Cabinet Types
Can’t afford a complete kitchen
overhaul? Give a tired kitchen Stock, semi-custom, custom…what
a facelift by refacing cabinets
— replacing just the doors but
leaving the cabinets intact.
are the differences? Many customers
mistakenly believe that these terms describe
the quality of the product. While
there often are quality differences, the
actual meaning of the terms refer to the
degree of personalization each type affords.
Stock cabinets, available in the manufacturer’s predetermined size variations,
have no options for adjustments. Because they are pre-built, they are
the cheapest option, and usually available with the shortest lead-time. However,
they are limited to standard sizes. Have a 37” space? You’ll need to get
a 36” cabinet and make peace with the gap.
Semi-custom cabinets start off similarly to stock cabinets, in predetermined
dimensions, but allow for certain variations in size and finish, allowing for
a more customized, less cookie-cutter result. Because they are built to the
customer’s specifications, they have a longer lead-time than stock cabinets,
and are more pricey as well.
Custom cabinets are built with no required size increments or other restrictions.
They are completely customized to the client’s requested dimensions, allowing
total design flexibility, accomodating odd sizes and specific preferences, and
yielding the most unique result. While custom cabinets are the most versatile
type, they are not necessarily higher quality than mass-produced cabinets.
84 | 2017 Lakewood Home Buyer’s Guide