Kitchen Cabinets ... have you bought the pre-fab box store ones?

[rob]

So, I'm on the final steps of finishing my basement. Today, I ordered the carpet from the ol' Home Depot.

I'm thinking about building a bar (http://www.thecomputermechanics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33021) and was thinking that I'd go simple and cheap. Buy a small counter remnant, some plywood, build a box to match and finish it off with some trim.

But then today, while I was ordering my carpet, I'm looking around and notice that they have these wonderful pre-fab cabinets! He he he, stop laughing... I'm an idiot.

The unit I saw was 2 bottom cupboards, 4 top ones, a space for a fridge (or kegerator!), and the countertop.

It was $1500.

Is that a lot of money for cabinets? I have no idea. Seems like a lot more than my original quick and dirty plan but wow, did it ever look nice.

Is the "DIY" installation of these things tough?

[Mouse]

DIY is not tough, if you have the right tools, and the patience.

But remember, you can't take it with you, as you described in another thread.

[rob]

DIY is not tough, if you have the right tools, and the patience. Have you installed these before? I'm interested in what the "right tools" are, but I'm thinking that maybe this would be a question better asked to someone else?

[Mouse]

You need a good level, for sure.

And a power screwdriver is a given wrist-saver.

As for "someone else", this causes me no problem. ;)

[rob]

You need a good level, for sure.

And a power screwdriver is a given wrist-saver. Check and Check. Have both of those. Thanks!

But is this a tricky thing to install or is it something a weekend guy like myself can make look pro?

Seems just like boxes and trim to me. But everything always seem easier before you start it.

[Mouse]

Always remember, IORR.

It's Only a Rec Room.

[Twan]

If you're looking at those (haven't checked them out at Home Depot, but saw a lot of them there when I went to the new Lowes store), you could compare them to the modular free-standing kitchen products from Ikea. I used their stuff to put together a very, very basic wet bar in my basement (sadly, no kegerator!).

[Mouse]

At least with the Ikea free-standing units, you can take them apart and move them, when the time comes.

Something screwed to the wall might cause a problem with the Realtor listing. Unless specified.

[Aristera]

If they come assembled and ready to install, all you need is a drill, level and some shims. It's not hard to install, as they just sit or hang there. It thats what you want, shop around. Since you only need a few units you might be able to find some cabinets on clearance that look really good.

If we are not talking about the pre-assembled units then prefab kitchen cabinets and cupboards are not hard to put together, just very time consuming if you have never done them before. What you get is a box with 2 sides, a bottom, back and a top piece. You may also get pieces for a shelf or drawer if you get that design of cabinet. It's not hard to sort out what is what and what side is front or left and right, (it matters) but you get a nice little bag with about 500 little pieces of wood, plastic and metal. Once you figure out what piece goes in what hole and get all the sides together to form a box shape, well over an hour will have passed. The second unit won't take quite as long but it will still be close to an hour. By the time you knock off the 6th unit, your time will be down to about 45 mins or so. Over all it will take you about 4 to 6 hours to put then together depending on your skill and learning curve, then you screw them to the wall which is the easy part.

I know this because I've done a kitchen and that kitchen came delivered in 30 little boxes. 2 and 1/2 days later of me by myself putting together little wooden boxes of varying sizes, I was happy to be done. On the plus side, I can put together a unit in 20-30 mins depending if it has drawers or not.

[Aristera]

At least with the Ikea free-standing units, you can take them apart and move them, when the time comes.

Something screwed to the wall might cause a problem with the Realtor listing. Unless specified.


Bah, most things that can be screwed can be unscrewed.

Overall it just depends on what you want. If you put this much effort, energy and money into a project, cheaping out on some aspect can take away from it.

On the other hand, if it's just temporary or you just want it functional, it would be a waste to spend a lot of extra money that you wouldn't get your value out of.

[rob]

If they come assembled and ready to install, all you need is a drill, level and some shims. It's not hard to install, as they just sit or hang there. It thats what you want, shop around. Since you only need a few units you might be able to find some cabinets on clearance that look really good. Time consuming if you have never done them before. What you get is a box with 2 sides, a bottom, back and a top piece. You may also get pieces for a shelf or drawer if you get that design of cabinet. You get a nice little bag with about 500 little pieces of wood, plastic and metal. Over all it will take you about 4 to 6 hours to put then together depending on your skill and learning curve, then you screw them to the wall which is the easy part. I know this because I've done a kitchen and that kitchen came delivered in 30 little boxes. Aristera, those are some great tips there and just the information that I was looking for. Thank-you very much.

Your idea to look at the clearance items is great and I'll trip around to all of the local hardware / kitchen stores this weekend. I don't have much to do and I'm not picky.

Thanks for the walk-through of how things worked for you. I don't mind spending some time if it's going to save some money and look good. I'll plan on turning on the radio and spending some quality time with the cabinets.

Your explanation makes it sound like this is something that I'd like to do. I was originally going to build the bar from scratch, but I couldn't come anywhere close to the look of the pre-fab units.

[Aristera]

There is a lot of choice out there for sizes and doors but when you start looking at different option you can see how someone can spend $10,000 to $40,000 remodeling a kitchen on just cabinets alone.

[rob]

I think I'm going to go into a few stores... look for the clearence rack and ask what the cheapest sets are.

I was looking at some of them in the Home Depot yesterday that were $500 a sq. ft!!!!! They were nice and all, but I donno... I guess that there are price points for everyone.

Thanks again for the help above, Aristera.

[Aristera]

No problem. Enjoy and let us know how it turns out.

[Mouse]

IKEA also has do-it-yourself cabinets.

And, you can shop on-line.

Might not show clearance items, though.