Semi-custom cabinets are the right choice for most full kitchen remodels, because they offer a wide range of sizes, finishes and organizers at a moderate price and lead time. Full custom cabinets make sense for unusual spaces, odd ceiling heights or high-end designs that need every box built to the inch, and they cost the most.
Semi-custom cabinets come in standard widths, usually in 3-inch steps, with options to change depth, height, door style, finish and interior storage. Filler strips and trim close the small gaps at walls and ceilings. For a typical Southern California kitchen with a straightforward layout, semi-custom lines cover nearly every need, including pull-out trash, drawer organizers, tall pantry units and an island. They are the cabinets behind most remodels in the $35,000 to $50,000 range.
Full custom cabinets are built to the exact dimensions of your room in any wood species, paint color or stain. They are worth it when a kitchen has angled walls, a sloped or very tall ceiling, or an unusual appliance plan, or when you want furniture-style details like inset doors and matching panels on the refrigerator and dishwasher. The tradeoff is cost and time. Custom cabinetry has the longest lead time and is a main reason a kitchen moves into the $50,000 to $75,000 range or beyond.
There is a third option if your cabinet boxes are solid and you like the layout: refacing. New doors, drawer fronts and veneer go on the existing boxes for a fraction of the cost of new cabinets. At the consultation, Legacy Construction & Design looks at the condition of your boxes and the shape of the room, then walks you through which option fits your budget. The 3D renderings show how each choice will look before you order.
Answered by Legacy Construction & Design · CA License #790442 · October 2026