Remodeling your kitchen is a challenging project, and the financial part of it is a big contributor to that challenge. Regardless of your budget’s actual size, it’s the planning that can strain anyone’s brain, but that planning is essential for keeping your project on track. It doesn’t take long to realize that knowing where your money is going is not just helpful, but vital. Nothing ruins a renovation like expenses spiraling out of control in the middle of work.
Your cabinets are often the biggest item in both decision-making and price tag, since they’re such an important part of your kitchen’s look and functionality. Let’s take an in-depth look at the typical costs for RTA cabinets and the practical ways to save money without sacrificing beauty or quality.
What Are RTA Cabinets?
RTA stands for Ready-to-Assemble, meaning the cabinet parts are shipped to you in flat packs ready for you to put together. This format makes them much easier to ship, which means both cash savings and lower potential for damage in transit (saving the potential lost time in getting a replacement). Additional savings come from the fact that assembling them yourself means there are no included labor costs. These savings are why RTA cabinets are known for being far more affordable than custom or semi-custom cabinets, making them great for any budget-conscious homeowner. They’re the best option when you’re looking for affordable cabinets that still deliver on quality and style.
RTA cabinets are perfect for a do-it-yourself project, but even if you hire a contractor, you’re still likely to pay much less than you would for factory assembly and the required shipping. Their convenience and value has made RTA cabinets extremely popular for kitchen remodels of all sizes.
Materials and Features That Affect the Price
RTA cabinets come in a few common material choices. The most common are medium-density fiberboard (MDF cabinets), particleboard, and plywood. Plywood gives you the best combination of strength and moisture resistance for the cabinet box, which is why it’s recommended for use in the kitchen where it’ll be exposed to steam and other hazards. Combined with a high-quality finish, plywood construction is much more resilient than other materials — for example, a deep scratch in particleboard is usually the beginning of a slow death for that cabinet, but wood can be filled and repaired.
Other features also play a major role in the final price you pay. Things like soft-close drawer slides and hinges, that high-quality finish I was just talking about, and other accessories can add to your total cost. But RTA cabinets still cost less than other cabinets on the market, including custom, semi-custom, and simple off-the-shelf pre-assembled standard cabinets. This makes it easier (and smarter) to get top-quality cabinets that will last a long time.
Understanding the Reasons Behind RTA Cabinets’ Cost
Having a solid grasp of the main cost factors is the first big step in nailing down your budget. The final price for your RTA cabinets will depend on a few key choices you can make. The cabinet box material is a major factor; plywood is the stronger and tougher choice, but it comes at a slightly higher initial cost than a material like MDF. Similarly, a stained wood finish might be less expensive than a multi-step painted finish, as painting requires more labor.
The biggest factor, however, will be the number and size of cabinets you need to fill out your desired kitchen layout. A small galley kitchen will obviously cost much less than a large open-concept space with a big kitchen island.
Price Ranges by Kitchen Size and Material
To give you an idea of what to expect, we can look at what RTA cabinets cost based on standard kitchen sizes. For a typical small 10x10 kitchen layout, you might expect to spend anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000 for the cabinets themselves, not counting installation or other extras. This range accounts for standard-quality RTA cabinets with plywood box construction and solid wood doors in a simple but stylish design, like Shaker cabinet doors. A larger, more complex kitchen, maybe one with a big island or more unique cabinet types like pantry units, could easily run from $5,000 to $8,000 or even higher, depending on the materials and features you select.
Choosing an all-plywood construction and premium soft-close hardware will put you toward the higher end of these estimates, but it is an investment in quality that pays off with durability and lifespan. These cabinets will add value to your home, making them ideal for building equity whether or not you have plans to sell anytime soon.
Other Costs to Account For
Beyond the cost of the cabinet boxes and doors, there are some other expenses that factor into your overall RTA cabinet pricing, including the quality of the hinges and drawer slides. High-quality soft-close hardware might add a bit up front, but most homeowners consider it worth the expense for the smooth, quiet operation in a busy kitchen where it’s all too easy to slam cabinet doors.
Shipping costs are also crucial to keep in mind. RTA cabinets are a lot easier to ship than pre-assembled cabinets, but that doesn’t mean they’re not still big and heavy. Shipping policies vary depending on your supplier, but the distance traveled and total weight usually has a big effect on cost. Always check a supplier’s shipping policies before you commit to a purchase.
Finally, you need to account for installation. If you’re handy enough to do it yourself, you’ll save even more. If you do decide to hire a professional, be sure to get a clear quote for their labor. Remember to discuss whether they charge an hourly rate or a flat fee, and ensure you’re both on the same page regarding your timeframe.
Smart Strategies to Save Money on Cabinets
Everyone loves to save money, especially on a huge project like a kitchen renovation! By choosing RTA cabinets, you already have a head start on keeping costs down, but there are even more ways to make your budget stretch further. Make the right choices and you can reduce your final bill without compromising the finished look and quality of your kitchen, even with budget kitchen cabinets.
DIY Assembly and Installation
One effective way to save money on cabinets is by taking on the assembly and installation yourself. Since RTA cabinets are designed to be put together with common household tools and straightforward instructions, many homeowners find the assembly process easy and satisfying. All the tools you’ll need can often be rented from hardware stores, so you’ll only have to buy wood glue, brads, and the like. By handling the labor of both assembling the boxes and physically mounting them to the walls, you completely eliminate the cost of hiring a professional cabinet installer, which can be thousands of dollars. Even if you only feel comfortable assembling the boxes and then hire a pro to handle the final hanging and leveling, you will still see a significant reduction in your overall costs.
Choose the Best Quality for Your Budget Kitchen Cabinets
When you’re shopping for affordable RTA cabinets it can be tempting to go for the cheapest ones, but that can be a mistake in the long run. I’ve already covered many of the reasons plywood is your best bet. You need durable construction where it matters most, and plywood is the superior choice because it resists damage, is easier to repair, and even holds screws better than particleboard or other cheap materials. Your cabinets will last longer — and be more appealing to anyone appraising your home’s value.
Don’t Buy Extras You Don’t Really Need
Every small add-on to your cabinet order, while nice to have, will contribute to the RTA cabinet pricing you end up with. Take a close look at all the extra organizers, inserts, decorative legs, or specialty lighting you plan to include. Do you absolutely need that pull-out spice rack, or can a simple tiered shelf insert that you buy later work just as well? Limiting these non-essential extras to only the ones that truly make a difference in your daily life can save you hundreds of dollars. Focus your money on the structural quality of the cabinet itself and on the visible hardware, and leave the fancy internal accessories until your budget allows for them down the road.
Compare Suppliers and Shop for Discounts
Whether we’re talking about cabinets or anything else, buyer’s remorse often results when you buy the first thing you see without doing any research. Compare the offerings from multiple RTA cabinet suppliers, including all pricing, shipping costs, return policies, warranties, quality of customer service, and anything else you can think of (whether it’s directly monetary or not). Get detailed quotes from a few different places, making sure you are comparing the same materials and door styles, and then look for deals. Many reputable RTA suppliers offer seasonal sales, holiday discounts, or special promotions on full kitchen packages. Buying a complete set of cabinets for your kitchen, rather than individual units, is often the most cost-effective way to buy.
You can start your research here at RTA Kitchen Cabinets Online, and you’ll probably end up coming back after you look at other suppliers!
Planning to Purchase Your Affordable Cabinets
It’s impossible to overstress the importance of a good budget; it’s like a roadmap for your project. Whether the map leads you to buried treasure or over a cliff depends on how seriously you take your planning steps. You should set aside about 30% to 40% of your total kitchen remodel budget for the cabinets alone. It can be easy to forget about the smaller items, so make sure your cabinet-specific budget includes the cost of the units, the chosen hardware, shipping fees, and any installation labor you plan to hire. By factoring in all these elements at the start, you avoid being surprised later on.
Hidden Costs to Consider
Even with careful planning, some costs tend to sneak up on you, so it’s important to think about the total investment. For a DIY assembly, don’t forget the cost of tool rental or extra wood glue and clamps to make the build extra secure. Large, heavy orders may have special delivery charges, especially if you live in a remote area or need a liftgate service. Sometimes, a piece of a cabinet might arrive damaged, and while reputable companies will send a replacement (especially if you inspect the delivery and inform the seller immediately), you may incur a charge for the replacement hardware or the delivery of that one item. You might also need a little wood filler or paint for touch-ups once the cabinets are all installed, so be sure to leave a little money for these finishing touches.
The Importance of a Financial Buffer
Experienced designers recommend creating a financial buffer, or a cushion, of about 10% of your total cabinet budget just for unexpected costs. This money acts as a safety net for those little surprises that every renovation seems to have. If everything goes perfectly, you’ll have extra money left over to treat yourself to that countertop or backsplash you wanted, but if you run into an issue, the buffer keeps your project from going completely off the rails.
Final Thoughts on RTA Cabinet Pricing
Choosing RTA cabinets is a smart move when you want high-quality results while still keeping your RTA cabinet pricing firmly under control. You’ll find these cabinets give you a fantastic combination of low cost, flexibility in design, and a style that is perfect for the hands-on homeowner. Success in your remodel hinges on careful planning, doing a little bit of comparison shopping among suppliers, and making smart decisions about materials and extras. Follow these steps and you’re well on your way to affordable cabinets you’ll be proud to have in your home for many years.
We welcome you to explore our catalog at RTA Kitchen Cabinets Online, where you can find durable, high-quality options that are designed to perfectly fit your style and your budget. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
