How to Compare Kitchen Cabinet Quotes 'Apples to Apples' — A Practical Cabinet Buying Guide
- Prefinished Cabinets
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Comparing kitchen cabinet quotes seems simple until you’re actually doing it — and suddenly one quote is $6,800, another is $12,900, and a third one comes with a free tape measure. At that point, homeowners start wondering who’s scamming who.
The reality? Most of the time, no one is scamming anyone — you just aren’t comparing identical things.
Here’s how to break it down without losing your sanity (or your kitchen timeline).
1. Step One: Make Sure You’re Comparing the Same Kind of Cabinets
If a decorative raised-panel inset kitchen cabinet quote is being compared to a basic shaker RTA cabinet from a contractor grade cabinet line… that’s not apples to apples — that’s Honeycrisp vs. dehydrated apple chips from a gas station.
Before comparing pricing, verify the basics:
🔹 Cabinet Type
RTA (Ready-to-Assemble)
Fully Assembled
Custom vs Semi-Custom vs Prefab
🔹 Construction
Solid Wood
Particleboard (contractor grade)
Hybrid (common today)
🔹 Door Style
Shaker
Raised Panel
Slab / Modern
Inset
Full-Overlay
🔹 Finish
Painted
Stained
Specialty
Prefinished Cabinets offers 350+ Solid Wood prefab kitchen & vanity styles across multiple cabinet collections. Our large selection means homeowners can choose based on price point, features, materials, ship speed, and style — all without sacrificing basic quality standards.
2. Construction & Hardware: Where Hidden Costs Live
Two cabinets can look nearly identical on a website… until you open the drawers.
What to compare:
🔹 Drawer Construction
Dovetail Drawers - designed to last a lifetime
Stapled or Butt-Joint - they WILL fall apart
🔹 Glides & Hinges
Soft-Close Full-Extension
Soft-Close Partial Extension
Basic Glides - no soft-close
🔹 Box Material
Solid Wood Construction
Particleboard
Mixed Construction
🔹 Warranty
Limited Lifetime
1 Year
None? Good Luck!
The cheaper cabinet might not truly be cheaper — it just won’t show you the bill until year 3 when the drawer front falls off.
At Prefinished Cabinets, all of our cabinets feature solid wood box & frame construction, dovetail drawers, and soft-close hardware, backed by a limited lifetime warranty — which dramatically improves long-term value.
3. Design Scope: Same Kitchen, Different Cost
Here’s the silent price killer: Design Choices
You can price the same kitchen two ways and get two completely different numbers:
Low-Cost Design
Basic Base Cabinets - Fewer Drawers
Basic 30” Wall Cabinets
No Tall Pantry Units
No Decorative Features
No Accessories
No Required Trim Pieces
High-Function Design
✔ Drawer Base Cabinets
✔ Pantry Cabinets
✔ Taller 36” or 42” Uppers
✔ Crown, Light Rail, Toe Kick Trim
✔ Lazy Susan, Spice Rack Cabinet, Trash Pull-Out
✔ Roll-Out Trays & Additional Organizers
One of these kitchens costs more — but it’s also a complete kitchen with features that the homeowner actually wanted.
Most homeowners don’t realize drawers are one of the most expensive cabinet upgrades — but they’re also one of the most functional. Your kitchen design drives your price more than most people think.
Our designs are always based on YOUR requests, not a stripped down version that looks less expensive. We'll also include any trim pieces that are required for installation — this won't be a surprise charge later.
If price is a concern, let your designer know which features are most important to you. We can make design changes and recommend the best cabinet style to create the look you love at the most affordable price point.
4. The Timeline Reality Check: Availability, Lead Times & Quick Ship
A quote isn’t just a number — it’s a timeline.
Questions people rarely ask, but absolutely should:
Are these in stock or backordered?
Are these Quick-Ship?
What’s the lead time?
Is freight shipping included?
What happens if something arrives damaged?
A “cheap” quote that arrives 10 weeks late can cost you far more once you factor:
✗ Delayed contractor schedules
✗ Delayed countertop fabrication
✗ Reschedules with trades
✗ Additional storage fees
✗ The emotional damage of eating dinner on folding tables
Prefinished Cabinets offers In-Stock & Quick-Ship Cabinets, transparent lead times, and free shipping on qualifying orders nationwide — so timelines don’t become an expensive surprise.
5. Service, Support & 'Who Actually Helps You When Something Goes Wrong?'
Buying cabinets is not like buying a rug.
Cabinets require:
Layout Planning
Measurement Awareness
Appliance Clearances
Trim & Filler Strategies
Assembly Knowledge (for RTA)
Installation Knowledge
Support matters — Does your quote include:
✔ Design Assistance?
✔ Someone Checking Functional Clearances?
✔ Assembly Support (RTA)?
✔ Installation Support?
✔ Support for Your Contractor?
✔ Assistance with Warranty or Damage Claims?
Or is it “You bought boxes, good luck!”
Prefinished Cabinets offers Real Support for homeowners AND their contractors. Our design team has real world design and installation experience — we're here to assist with assembly, installation, or troubleshooting questions — just give us a call!
6. When the Higher Quote Is Actually the Better Deal
Sometimes a “more expensive” quote:
✔ Has Better Materials
✔ Has More Drawers — expensive but life-changing
✔ Includes Tall Uppers & Top Trim
✔ Ships Sooner
✔ Comes with Warranty Support
✔ Comes from People Who Will Answer Your Phone Call
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Comparing Quotes
✗ Comparing Styles that Aren’t Equivalent
✗ Comparing Contractor-Grade to Solid Wood
✗ Comparing Very Different Designs
✗ Ignoring Lead Times & Shipping Costs
✗ Not Asking About Required Fillers & Trim
✗ Forgetting to Factor Assembled vs. RTA
✗ Assuming Warranty & Support Isn’t a Big Deal
Value isn't always the lowest price; Value is the best outcome for the money you spend.
7. The Secret Weapon: Tell Your Designer What Actually Matters to You
This part saves time, money, and sanity, but it's where most people completely miss out.
Communicate with your designer... Say things like:
“Budget matters most but we want tall wall cabinets.”
“We need Quick Ship because we have contractors scheduled.”
“We love the look of inset but need a lower price point.”
There is almost always a way to optimize, and we can help you determine your best options.
Prefinished Cabinets offers overlapping styles at different price points, we can help by matching your:
✔ Style
✔ Budget
✔ Timeline
✔ Feature Preferences
… but only if we know exactly what you want.
Final Thoughts
Comparing cabinet quotes without context is a lot like comparing apples to oranges.
If you're currently comparing quotes and aren’t sure if it’s truly “apples to apples,” our design team can translate the details and help you choose the cabinet line that delivers the best fit for your project, not just the lowest number on a spreadsheet.
Looking to compare cabinet costs? Prefinished Cabinets offers true 'Apples to Apples' comparison quotes - We'll meet or beat the price of equivalent cabinets when possible.
Looking for design changes or a new design? Start with our FREE Kitchen Design. With 350+ cabinet styles, all backed by our Limited Lifetime Warranty, you're sure to find fantastic cabinetry for you project.
