How To Know If Your Cabinets Are Builder-Grade (And What It Means)

Kitchen and bathroom cabinetry is available in grades that range from stock or "builder grade" to custom cabinets. Builder-grade building and home improvement products are less expensive and generally made with lower quality materials than custom products. This grade of kitchen cabinets, flooring, windows, and other products are often used in new builder-grade homes or apartments, but they can also be chosen to save money during home improvement projects. If you've moved into a space with existing cabinets, there are ways to check if your cabinets are builder-grade.

It's important to understand cabinet grades when shopping for a home, building a new home, or planning a kitchen remodeling project. Builder-grade cabinets usually come in a limited number of stock sizes, so you can't customize them to fit your kitchen. Generally, cabinets that are made with lower quality materials also won't last as long as custom cabinets, which are often made with hardwood, solid wood boxes, dovetail joints, and better quality hardware. Although builder-grade kitchen cabinets and other products are made with less expensive materials than custom cabinets, some stock products will still be better quality than others. 

When you move into an existing home, the cabinets are likely already in place, and you may not know the grade of your cabinets. The age and style of the home can give you a clue. A historic or high-end home is less likely to have builder-grade cabinets than a rental unit or new-build home. The materials used in the cabinetry can also help you determine whether your cabinets are builder-grade or custom. Look closely at any exposed or unfinished spots. Stock cabinets are frequently made with materials such as particle board, cheap plywood, or melamine, which is a particle board that has a plastic coating. Inside the cabinets, you may see peg holes that allow you to adjust the height of the shelves.

In addition to inspecting the cabinet boxes, you can check the cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware to determine if they are builder-grade. The cabinet doors may be made with medium density fiberboard. Drawer boxes in stock cabinets are often made with melamine or plywood. These cabinets may have standard hinges and drawer slides, rather than soft-close hardware. Custom cabinets, on the other hand, offer quality features like solid wood boxes, dovetail joints in drawers, soft-close hardware, and full-extension door slides. Custom cabinets are also personalized to suit the needs of the homeowners, with features like pull-out trashcans, lazy Susans, and spice racks built into the cabinetry.

Another significant difference between builder-grade and custom cabinets is their cost. Builder-grade cabinets usually cost between $100 and $300 per linear foot, while custom cabinets are $500 to $1200 per linear foot. While both cabinet styles may perform functionally in your home, there are major disadvantages of buying budget cabinets right off the shelf. Inexpensive builder-grade cabinets won't last as long as custom cabinets that are made with higher quality materials. Contractor-grade cabinets can be expected to last between 5 and 10 years. Custom cabinets can last 20 years or longer, as long as they are well maintained.

If you've discovered your cabinets are builder-grade, you might wonder if you should replace them. The decision about whether to replace your cabinets will depend on their age and condition, but also the style you prefer in your kitchen. If the cabinets are in decent condition and you cannot afford an upgrade or plan to sell your home in the near future, you can follow some design tips to transform a boring builder-grade kitchen into a cozy cottage. Repainting the cabinets is another inexpensive change that can make a big difference. Adding crown molding or glass doors to your builder-grade cabinets can elevate the look of your kitchen. You can also upgrade your contractor-grade kitchen by installing new hardware on cabinet doors and drawers, or upgrade one section of cabinets at a time, following tips to make mixed kitchen cabinets look cohesive.