Ready-made kitchen units vs custom-build units

Designing a kitchen in a relatively small space can be a challenge because you have to fit a significant number of functional aspects with not much room. You need to start thinking about compact living and multi-functional installations. This means weighing up the pros and cons of custom-built kitchen cabinets against the popular ready-made kitchen units.

What are custom-built units?

These are tailored kitchen cabinets designed and built according to your specified requirements. Measurements are taken, and features included so they fit your personal style and taste.

What are ready-made units?

These are also known as pre-fabricated units or stock cabinets which come in standard shapes, sizes, and designs. They are factory-manufactured so you know exactly what you’re getting when you order them.

Pros of custom-build units

• Tailored design: It doesn’t matter what your kitchen looks or feels like, the cabinets can be specially designed to fit into the existing aesthetic.

• Unique style: If you have to have everything one-of-a-kind then a custom-build cabinet is for you. Each one is completely independent, setting the kitchen apart.

• Material choices: You can choose whatever cabinet material, hardware, finishes, and accessories you like, making the kitchen truly your own.

• Storage flexibility: No matter your storage needs, you can customise the kitchen cabinet to include drawer dividers, pull-out baskets, and more.

Cons of custom-build units

• Cost: Customised kitchen cabinets are expensive, especially when you’re choosing rare materials and intricate designs. You have to factor in the extensive labour costs and material types before it’s even started.

• Time: Custom-build kitchen cabinets can take a very long time to design and build, which means you’re going to have to wait.

• Specifics: What you envision and what you actually get can be two very different things when it comes to custom-build cabinets. Very often changes have to be made after the fact which can be even more time-consuming and frustrating.

• Complex installation: You can’t simply fit kitchen cabinets in yourself, you will have to pay additional labour costs for the fairly complex installation which could involve coordination with several contractors.

Pros of ready-made units

• Affordability: Ready-made kitchen units are much more affordable than their custom-built counterparts because they are made in standard sizes and designs, which minimises lower costs related to production. You also don’t need to spend unnecessarily on labour costs, making them even more cost-effective.

• Shorter lead time: If you’re trying to get a kitchen finished or remodelled in a short time frame, then ready-made units are the favourable option. They have shorter lead times compared to custom-built ones because ready-made kitchen units are directly available from manufacturers.

• Fast installation: It’s not just that ready-made kitchen cabinets are ready for distribution, they can be installed so quickly – it takes just a few hours. This means no waiting around for the kitchen to be ready to use.

• Convenience: With no custom designs to wait on, no negotiations with contractors, and simple installation, ready-made units are much more convenient than the alternative. You can choose the ready-made kitchen cabinet with gas hob and sink without the hassle of coming up with a design.

• DIY installation: If you’re any good at DIY installation, then ready-made kitchen cabinets are a great option. You can install them yourself and save so much money on labour costs.

• Simple replacement: If any part of your ready-made kitchen cabinet gets damaged down the line, you don’t need to replace the entire unit. You can simply find the matching part and replace that, saving you more on maintenance costs.

• All-in-one solution: These kitchen units come complete with sinks, basins, stoves ovens, microwaves… whatever you need!

Cons of ready-made units

• Limited customisation: Although there are many different designs, styles, and options to choose from in modern ready-made kitchen units, it’s not quite as unlimited as custom-build units. You might have to compromise somewhat if there’s something specific you can’t find.
• Standard sizes: If you have an unusual kitchen layout or design, you might not be able to find a ready-made kitchen unit that fits because they come in standard designs and shapes.

• Variable quality: When ordering a ready-made kitchen unit, you have to ensure it’s coming from a reputable supplier that follows industry standards, or you could risk a lower-quality kitchen unit.

Read More: Ready-Made Kitchen Units for Tiny Homes

GEZA ready-made kitchen units are your one-stop kitchen cabinet shop! They come in a variety of configurations suited to many different kitchen functions, tastes, and styles and can be installed quickly and easily.