Custom vs. Semi-Custom Cabinets: Pros, Cons, and Differences

Cabinetry can make or break a kitchen remodel, but custom versus semi-custom cabinets make it possible to find just the right fit for your space. Before you can narrow down the best cabinet choice for your wallet and home, you have to understand a bit about the pros and cons that come with each option. Use this guide to determine whether custom cabinets are really worth it or if something a little more standard is better for your remodeling project.

Custom vs. Semi-Custom Cabinets: Key Differences

Custom cabinets are special-order items, usually crafted by professional woodworkers, and built per certain specifications. You can pick every single element of this type of cabinetry, from the material and hardware to its dimensions. On the other hand, semi-custom cabinets incorporate a combination of custom elements and stock cabinetry. Homeowners can pick certain components like finish, paint color, and hardware. A general contractor or a cabinet installer near you can also provide a cabinet quote for your project so that you can compare features, function, and price.

What Is a Custom Cabinet?

Though they may sound as good as it gets, custom cabinets come with some downsides too. Read on to evaluate why or why not they might be the right choice for your kitchen renovation or remodel.

Best for: 

• Those looking for a seamless look that ties in perfectly to the home aesthetic

• Those wanting a more sustainable option

• Those wanting their cabinets to last decades

Pros of Custom Cabinets

With custom cabinets, you can decide every detail, from the fit to the hardware to the material used. You’ll work closely with a professional cabinetmaker in your area to develop the perfect design for your style, needs, and space limitations. 

In addition, while custom cabinets can be expensive up front, they're an investment that's built to last. Prefabricated or stock cabinets generally have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, but custom cabinets can be a part of your home for 25 years and up.

Cons of Custom Cabinets

Cabinets handcrafted to fit your exact specifications may sound like a dream come true, but expect to pay for the quality you get. The average cost for custom wood cabinets is $500 to $1,200 per linear foot or roughly $2,000 to $9,000 for an entire kitchen’s worth of cabinetry.

The extra work involved in sourcing material for designing and building custom cabinets also requires more time. On average, you can expect to have them in your kitchen between six and eight weeks after first placing your order.

What Is a Semi-Custom Cabinet?

If you want to branch out from stock cabinets but aren't ready to commit to something fully customized, semi-custom cabinets may be just what you're looking for.

Best for: 

• Those wanting to upgrade their look with custom hardware or paint

• Those needing cabinets quicker 

• Those with standard-size kitchens

Pros of Semi-Custom Cabinets

Semi-custom cabinets are an excellent way to personalize your home’s aesthetic without spending a fortune. On average, they cost between $100 and $650 per linear foot, but you may pay even less by going the DIY route. 

And depending on availability, semi-custom cabinets arrive at your home relatively quickly because they’re already partially built. In general, they’ll be in your kitchen only one to two weeks after ordering. 

Cons of Semi-Custom Cabinets

Because semi-custom cabinets are a combination of customized elements and prefabricated parts, every last detail isn’t up to you. In general, you’ll have a say on elements like hardware, finish, and paint color. 

In addition, semi-custom cabinets come in an array of predetermined sizes that might not fit neatly into the oddly-shaped parts of your kitchen. 

Custom vs. Semi-Custom Cabinets

If you’re still having trouble deciding on the best option for your kitchen, consider these factors to make the most informed choice.

Appearance​: Custom Cabinets

Though semi-custom cabinets can definitely be gorgeous, the fact that custom cabinets allow you to choose every single detail puts them on top in this category.

Options and Customizations​: Custom Cabinets

Semi-custom cabinets allow for plenty of personalization, but nothing beats custom cabinets in terms of customization. 

Durability​: Tie

While both custom and semi-custom cabinets can be exceptionally durable—it all depends on materials and how well they’re made. For example, woods like oak, maple, and cherry are all popular cabinet materials because they’re sturdy and stylish. And they're common in both custom and semi-custom cabinets. 

Price​: Semi-Custom Cabinets

At a fraction of the cost of custom cabinets, semi-custom cabinets score a big win in terms of money-saving potential. 

DIYability​: Semi-Custom Cabinets

It's much easier to customize preexisting cabinets than it is to accrue the necessary tools and skills to build them from scratch. Try painting your current kitchen cabinets or transforming a new prefabricated purchase on your own. 

Maintenance​: Semi-Custom Cabinets

Though custom cabinets generally have long lifespans, it can be tricky to find the right pieces to repair them. Something that was once readily available may now be scarce, like a certain hardware style or a rare type of wood. 

Length of Life​: Custom Cabinets

Though quality semi-custom cabinets can have a long lifespan, custom cabinets almost always live well into their 20s. 

Sustainability: Custom Cabinets

If you value sustainability, consider opting for custom cabinets so you can hand-pick the most environmentally friendly materials and building practices possible. You can consider pre-used or recycled wood for your cabinet project to prioritize sustainability. On the other hand, purchasing stock or semi-custom cabinets gives you less control over how and where the wood materials are sourced.

Resale Value: Custom Cabinets

While both new semi-custom and custom cabinets provide resale value in a home, custom cabinetry may be a high-value selling point to prospective buyers. When cabinets are thoughtfully built to fit a home’s kitchen, bathroom, or library, it adds tremendous visual and aesthetic value to your home. However, semi-custom cabinets that are sized and installed correctly, as well as maintained well, can also add value to your home.

How Much Does it Cost to Install Kitchen Cabinets?

Installing kitchen cabinets costs an average of $6,380. However, pricing can vary dramatically, with a typical range of anywhere from $2,006 to $11,060. 

Some of the biggest cost factors in cabinetry are the kitchen cabinet size, materials, and the level of customization. Expect to pay around $100 to $300 per foot for stock cabinets, $150 to $650 per foot for semi-stock models, and $500 to $1,200 per foot for fully customized designs.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

It’s possible to install cabinets yourself, but this is a massive project that requires a lot of DIY experience. If you decide to go the DIY route, you can save thousands on the total cost as labor significantly adds to the overall project budget, typically between $50 and $450 per hour.

But keep in mind that this still might not be worth the time and frustration of taking on this major undertaking. The thousands you save by doing the work yourself can be negated if you make any significant errors during installation. Many things can go wrong, especially with wall cabinets that can fall if improperly secured. For this reason, it's almost always advisable to hire a cabinet pro near you to install your cabinets.