Ready-To-Assemble Cabinets Can Save You Money, But Are They Actually Worth It?

Ready to assemble (RTA) cabinets are a great option to know about when designing a kitchen. They come with all you need to put them in place yourself and come at a lower price point than custom cabinets, helping you save on both the cost of materials and labor. For reference, you can get a full kitchen set of cabinets for around $2,000 to $4,000 on a site like The RTA Store, but custom cabinets can cost you from $500 to $1,200 per linear foot. While the monetary savings are clear, however, there is more to the process of buying and installing RTA cabinets that might make you reconsider if they are really worth it.

One misconception of RTA cabinets is that they are pretty cookie cutter and don't offer a lot of customization. Actually, they have evolved a lot and can be designed to fit your needs. They can be designed with your kitchen's layout in mind and can even come with added features and accessories. Some examples of such accessories are pull-out trash drawers, lazy susan inserts, wine racks, and security locks.

RTA cabinet sets typically come with a list of instructions and required tools for the installation, so they are very possible to DIY. With the help of a guide on installing cabinets yourself, you'll set yourself up for success. However, the way the process goes will depend on your skillset. It is not a beginner-friendly project, so it should be taken on only if you already have some experience installing cabinets. Physical capacity is another thing to consider because you'll be moving a lot of (potentially heavy) boxes and pieces around. These two factors of installing RTA cabinets might result in a much lengthier project time than if it was handled by a professional.

Another aspect of this is the involvement and attention needed. While you might have the necessary experience and physical capacity, you might not be able or willing to invest all the time and effort that's required of the process, starting from when you place the order to when you put in the last nail. One thing you need to do, for example, is to inspect the entire package as soon as you receive it to make sure you have all you need and everything is in order. This will prevent the issue of being in the middle of the project and seeing that there's a problem from the manufacturer, but you can no longer send anything back or ask for a replacement.

Another reason you might hesitate with RTA cabinets is that you might not be getting them from the source. If you're getting them from a third party, which is common, it will be tough to get a warranty, guarantee, or any similar perks that come with having a direct buyer-seller relationship. You might not have a customer service rep to contact for help and, while they are supposed to come with instructions, that doesn't always happen, and you might have to figure everything out for yourself.

This is important because of another issue which is that RTA cabinets may not be as sturdy as other options. You never know what kind of quality you'll get from a specific seller, so if a door breaks or a piece of hardware doesn't work whether during installation or after you've had your cabinets for some time, it might be hard to get it replaced or get that specific model or style again. The verdict? You may prefer to find cheap cabinets and have them professionally installed. If you're uncomfortable with being on your own after your order gets delivered, ready-to-assemble cabinets might not be worth it.