Cabinets devour 30-40% of kitchen remodel budgets—and the “buy vs. build” choice can reshape your savings. DIY wins on raw cost if you have skills and time, but pre-made options deliver better value for most homeowners.​

For a 10×10 kitchen:

DIY materials range from 800–2,500, but hidden costs stack up—tools like saws and sanders add 500–800 for new woodworkers, plus 3–6 weekends of labor. Mistakes (e.g., misaligned frames) or finish touch-ups often erase initial savings. Creative DIYers using tile scraps or brick can cut material costs even more, slashing expenses by up to 70% vs. pre-made.​

Pre-made options span wide:​

RTA kitchen cabinets:2,000–6,000 (no tool investment, fast assembly—ideal for budget- focused remodels)​

Stock kitchen cabinets: 2,000–5,000 (mass-produced, quick 1–2 week delivery)​

Semi-custom kitchen cabinets: 6,000–12,000 (flexible sizes/finishes for tricky spaces)​

Installation adds ​

1,000–5,000 for pre-made kitchen cabinets, but professional work avoids costly DIY errors. Pre-made also often includes warranties—unlike DIY, where flaws mean starting over.​

Who should build? Experienced woodworkers needing unique layouts or eco-friendly designs (e.g., zero-glue tile/brick builds). Who should buy? Most homeowners—RTA balances cost and convenience, while semi-custom suits non-standard kitchens.​

Bottom line: DIY costs 30–50% less upfront but demands skills and tool access. Pre-made (especially RTA) offers predictable costs, faster results, and warranty protection. Evaluate your woodworking comfort, tool collection, and timeline—your budget will reflect the choice.

If you're looking to customize your kitchen cabinets but are short on time and energy, you might want to consider YALIG.

YALIG has over 20 years of experience in custom kitchen cabinets, with a professional design, production, and after-sales team. We also own two factory buildings. Welcome to contact us if you are interested.