Is It Cheaper to Buy or Build a Cabinet?

If you’re planning a kitchen makeover in your home—whether a full update or simply the cabinet portion—you might be wondering: “Should I buy premade cabinets or build them myself to save money?” It’s a very smart question. As your kitchen‑design big sister, I’ll walk you through what costs to compare, what you’ll need, and how to decide based on your style, budget and time.

Defining the Options: Buying vs. Building

Buying means selecting cabinets from a manufacturer or retailer: stock, ready‑to‑assemble (RTA), semi‑custom or fully custom. You pick size, finish, style (or close to it), and have them delivered (and often installed).
Building means you design out your cabinets, purchase raw materials (plywood, hardware, doors, finishes), cut and construct cabinet boxes, drawers, doors—and either install them yourself or coordinate installation.

Buying tends to save time, offer more standard warranties and quicker install.
Building offers ultimate customization and possibly savings—if you already have the skills, tools, and time to do it well. For more on whether RTA cabinets are a smart choice for your project, see our guide on Are RTA Cabinets Good Quality?.

Cost Comparison: What the Numbers Show

Here’s what the cost research tells us:

• One article comparing build vs buy notes: “Even if you do all the labour yourself, it might still be cheaper to buy … than buying all the sheet goods/slides/hardware yourself.” Reddit
• Another analysis shows buying premade cabinets typically costs $100‑$500 per linear foot for stock, $500‑$1,500+ per linear foot for semi‑custom.
• The DIY blog found that the cost of building your own cabinets can look lower in material estimates—but time, tools and risk can offset the savings. I Like To Make Stuff

So in many typical homeowner scenarios: Buy > Build in terms of value, unless you have advanced tools & experience and are willing to invest time. For more insight on why ready-to-assemble cabinets can be so affordable, see our guide on Why Are RTA Cabinets So Cheap?.

What You Should Compare Before Deciding

As we talk about style, colour and the full design of your kitchen, these are the key questions:

1. Materials & Quality – Premium cabinets use plywood box construction, solid or veneered doors, high‑quality hardware. If you build yourself but opt for low‑grade materials, the long‑term value may drop. or a detailed overview of cabinet materials, see our guide on How To Choose Among The 5 Cabinet Materials.
2. Time & Skill – Building takes precision: accurate cuts, matching finishes, glides and hinges that work smoothly. If you don’t already have those skills or it’s your first large project, delays or mistakes may eat the savings.
3. Tools & Setup – Do you own or have access to saws, sanders, router, clamps, cabinet assembly jigs? If not, tool cost + learning curve can add up.
4. Design & Finish – If you want a standout finish (two‑tone cabinet colours, custom wood veneers, integrated lighting) buying semi‑custom may offer better cost vs doing it yourself poorly. Learn more about popular colour trends in our Top 5 Kitchen Cabinet Colors For 2025.
5. Installation & Fit – Regardless of buying or building, proper installation is key. Uneven floors, walls out of plumb, old wiring/plumbing interference—these issues can inflate cost either way.

Style, Colour & Kitchen Design Considerations

Now, let’s talk about design decisions and how the “buy vs build” question plays into your kitchen’s look.

• Visual Impact: If you want a two‑tone look (for example, crisp white uppers + rich wood‑tone lowers), you might decide: build the lowers yourself (because many drawers, special storage) and buy the uppers for speed and standard size.
• Finish Flexibility: Buying gives you access to factory finishes that are carefully applied and durable. If you build yourself but hand‑paint or finish doors, the finish quality might vary.
• Budget Allocation: By buying standard boxes, you can allocate more of your budget to finishes, hardware, lighting, backsplash—those details make your kitchen feel more luxurious even if the cabinets themselves are “standard”.
• Colour/Material Strategy: If you build, you might choose raw wood cabinetry to emphasise natural grain with minimal paint. If you buy, you might pick a painted or lacquered finish that comes ready‑made. Either way, think of your cabinets as part of the cabinet + countertop + backsplash + lighting “ecosystem”. For guidance on balancing cost, materials, and style in your kitchen, check out our Kitchen Cabinet Budget Guide.

Remodeling/Refresh Advice: When to Buy & When to Build

For a refresh: Suppose your existing cabinet boxes are solid and you’re only changing doors/finishes. In that case, building replacement doors or refinishing may be the sweet spot—it’s a hybrid: buy some components, DIY others.

For a full install: If you’re moving layouts, adding islands, expect big changes—buying a decent quality cabinet line with guarantee and delivery may save you headaches, time and cost sneaks.

My Big‑Sister Tips:

• If you have less than moderate carpentry skill, limited time, and want to minimise risk: Buy.
• If you have tools, time, carpentry skill, enjoy DIY projects, and value full customisation over speed: Build (or partially build).
• Always keep a contingency—time and money both—because building adds variables, buying has less control but more predictability.

Final Thoughts & Checklist for You

• The best choice depends on your budget, time, skill level, style goals and the lifespan you expect from your kitchen.
• Checklist for your next step:
  • Measure your cabinet run length, layout complexity.
  • Be honest with your carpentry confidence and time availability.
  • Compare quotes: “Buy” cabinet line vs estimated materials/tools + time for “Build”.
  • Decide where you want to spend more: style/finish/hardware vs construction cost.
  • If buying: ask about warranty, material specs, finish durability.
  • If building: budget tools, time, possible mistakes. Plan for finish and installation quality.

You deserve a kitchen that looks wonderful, feels comfortable and functions seamlessly. Whether you buy or build, make the decision that fits you, your home and your life. Think of this as investing not just in cabinets—but in your everyday living, your family’s meals and your home’s heart. And with that decision in hand? You’re ready to create something beautiful.