Kitchen renovations have a reputation for being difficult, boring, and expensive. There are plans to be made, shopping to be done, waits to be endured, and then the work itself. But one thing that you might find is no longer so labor-intensive is getting the cabinets from the warehouse into your kitchen. Pre-assembled cabinets are now a real option for the homeowner looking for a kitchen that doesn’t come with a renovation time of months.
The benefits are obvious. Instead of flat-pack boxes with bits in them, everything that shows up is ready to install. Apart from the convenience, understanding what pre-assembled cabinets are and what they aren’t can help you know if they are a smart option for you and your kitchen remodel.
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The Time You Didn’t Know You Were Going to Spend
The time it takes to assemble flat-pack cabinets is ridiculous. Even if you are okay at putting together IKEA furniture, kitchen cabinets are an entirely different beast. You need to ensure that each cabinet has its doors aligned, everything is leveled, and every measurement is perfect.
One cabinet might take you 1-2 hours. Multiply that by 15 or 20 units (which is average for a standard-sized kitchen), and it’s basically an entire weekend (or three) of your life, just to assemble the units.
Pre-assembled cabinets avoid all of this and allow you to focus on installing them instead. If you work full time (or have kids, or both), this might be an unexpected bonus as you plan your kitchen remodel.
The time savings also don’t just stop at assembly. There’s no time wasting trying to work out how to read the odd diagrams on the instructions. There’s no unintended drive back to the hardware store because you didn’t get the right drill bit on the first attempt. And there’s also a way to avoid the icy chill of panic when you realize you’ve hung a door upside down and now have to start over.
The Quality Control Actually Works
When cabinets get made in a factory, they get assembled by individuals who do this every day of the week, all year round. They have the tools, the workstation, and most importantly, a system. Compare this to building flat-pack units in your garage (or lounge) using nothing but a cordless drill and whatever level surface you can find.
This means that you can expect a good quality fit from a factory-assembled option. The pieces will fit, the hardware will get installed correctly, everything will be square (not wonky), and all of these measurements are the most important details that will determine whether your cabinets will work for years.
For many homeowners attempting their first kitchen remodel, this means one less element to experiment with. Now you can focus on the installation without worrying about whether you built the unit correctly.
The Hidden Costs
Flatpack cabinets look like they will save you tons of cash. And sometimes they do. However, flatpack savings do not measure any costs you might incur in various ways over time. For instance, how much will it cost you per hour to assemble each cabinet? Even at minimum wage, it’s not pocket change.
Then factor in the cost of tools (you might need specific drill bits or saws), mistakes when you accidentally do something wrong (and have to do it again), and even the potential of damaging some important units while assembling them. Fully assembled cabinets might make more financial sense if you factor budget constraints into your renovation. For those who value their time more than spending money on pre-assembled options, this may be the perfect choice.
What About the Cost of Opportunity?
Another cost people seldom think about is the cost of missed opportunities. If you have to assemble all your cabinets instead of spending time with friends or family on a beautiful Saturday or Sunday afternoon, what is the cost of that?
Not every aspect of your life needs to be a DIY endeavor. Pre-assembled cabinets allow you to focus on the parts of this renovation that need your effort, and not your weekends.
There Is Work but Less Than You Think
Pre-assembled doesn’t mean that there is no work involved! You will still need to install all these cabinets, which means you’ll still be measuring, leveling, and ensuring that everything is exactly where it needs to be after installation.
However, this is far easier than assembling every single unit and then still needing to install all of them. For those attempting their renovations (instead of hiring help), this option remains easy (compared to flatpack options).
With a professional team to install your kitchen cabinets, this option will still save time. The issues that take time with flatpack cabinets tend to stack up due to multiple mistakes. With pre-assembled units, everything already went through quality checks numerous times.
When To Consider Pre-Assembled Cabinets
This solution isn’t the best choice for everyone wanting to assemble kitchens or remodel their homes. However, in some scenarios, it is so smart it seems impossible to believe this isn’t the only option you consider.
For those in a hurry to get their remodels done (perhaps so they can sell the house), pre-assembled cabinets are the way to go.
They also make sense for those who are doing most of the effort in their remodel but who still aren’t solid woodwork or project managers yet. This option allows them the room to work their magic where it counts most.
Budget-conscientious homeowners often think they need to save money in every corner during a renovation. Flatpack models might save you money, but pre-assembled cabinets save money in invisible ways.
The Quality Concern
There are still those who question whether pre-assembled cabinets are low quality or awful options for people who want specific styles when it comes to their kitchens. Fortunately, this idea is not true anymore. The market has expanded massively over the last few years.
The construction quality is often also light years better than what most homeowners can achieve if they build the units themselves in their garages.
There are multiple options regarding color and design available nowadays. Standard dimensions work for most kitchens. The color options seem like they have something for everyone.
Making Your Decision
Flat-pack versus pre-assembled units is a decision that all homeowners should consider before they start planning their kitchen remodeling projects. Ask yourself these questions before jumping into the deep end. What’s your budget? What skill do you have in building projects of this nature? How much is each hour of your free personal time worth? How soon do you need this project to be finished?
For those looking to save costs wherever possible, pre-assembled cupboards have come a long way. These have become increasingly popular over the last few years. They solve a lot of problems that homeowners experience when they plan a kitchen remodel. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel in the next little while, consider these options. It really is a smart idea to look at practical options rather than seeking out places where you can get free materials.
