(07-30-2025, 11:32 AM)DogwoodTales Wrote: The thought did cross my mind, but I wouldn't consider it because I like to make my own cabinets in a way that maximizes the available space to how we're going to use it and I'm sure that having cabinets of my design made by another shop is only going to cost me more money. Money that I can use for other things and I'm good with taking the time to do this. I was just amazed at how the parts count adds up.
Too many times I've had or seen cabinets that were just not quite right for how the space was being used, or could have been used. Too much dead space, not made with that extra inch or two of space that would have made a big difference in utility, etc.

Plus it's not just about making functional cabinets. I like to be directly involved in selecting grain patterns etc. and where that's going to go in the project. That's not something easily achieved by contracting out the work.
Plus about 80% or more of the face frames, doors, and drawer faces are being made from the hickory tree that I felled on this same property this past spring. I had it milled by a sawyer with a portable mill and I then immediately hauled it to Wilhelm Lumber who dried it for me. 

My previous kitchen remodel I'm sure was quite a lot of parts, even at half the number of cabinets. But I didn't count the parts or the time. I had a 1-car garage shop with a 7' ceiling, so I had to make and install the cabinets in stages. What a pita, but I got through it.
My daughter happened to be given a personal tour by the new owners of my previous house and they spoke very highly of the kitchen as being "very beautiful" and "very well thought out".
That's amongst the best compliments I have ever received for my woodworking.
Another one was when I restored someone's chair/stool. It was in really bad shape. After restoring it my wife took it back to the owner and she literally cried upon seeing it for the first time restored. (It must have had some strong sentimental value to her.) After confirming with my wife that the crying was a good thing (lol) I will take that as the best compliment of my woodworking ever.

(07-30-2025, 07:20 PM)DogwoodTales Wrote: Ha! ... those who know me know that I am far from a proud man, but I do take pride in my work 

I'm not shy on spending money on someone else labor. Auto mechanics is one example. I just hate working on my cars. Even for simple things like changing the oil. But this is time in the shop doing things I like.

I did not miss your point(s). Good points in all and all things I would consider, but didn't and I chose to spend my time in the shop doing something I like.
If time spent to money saved was always the focus, I'd hardly build anything myself. Why would I? I do this for the enjoyment of doing it.

No I don't have the buying power of a cabinet shop, but given the quantity I still got a great deal on it.
My kitchen build is comprised of about 2 dozen more/less regular sized cabinets (uppers and lowers combined), plus a built-in floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinet, and a 32x96" peninsula. I'm building angle base corner cabinets for upper and lower. I'm also making my own countertop (swmbo chose to go with a laminate instead of granite). And of course there's all of the drawers and shelves.
All that for about $3500 in cabinet plywood.
So ... entertain me. How much do you know/think all that would cost me to have a cabinet shop build for me compared to that $3k? Seriously/respectfully - I'm curious.

(07-31-2025, 02:17 PM)Cabinet Monkey Wrote: Send me a list of all your box sizes and I’ll tack them on next time I request a quote for carcasses. 

Haven’t looked in over a year , but typically it’s been $100/ drawer w/hardware and $100-$300/ box depending on exact specifications.

(07-31-2025, 08:27 PM)DogwoodTales Wrote: Thanks!
So "$100/drawer w/hardware" I azzume means with full extension Blum undermount drawer slides and I'm assuming an average of $175 per box.
So I estimate that I'm sparing $5,200 in cost by doing it all myself. Doing something that I enjoy doing.
That leaves me $5,200 to pay mechanics to work on my cars

(08-03-2025, 10:00 AM)DogwoodTales Wrote: I checked a couple of sites for pricing and they appear to be about the same as what you guesstimated.
So based on that and my assumptions in my previous post, I’m saving $5200 by doing it all myself.

(08-03-2025, 09:02 PM)Cabinet Monkey Wrote: Are you really ?


$5200 would cover the cost from the site(s) you looked at for all of the drawer bodies and the 15-20 carcasses you are you are cutting and making yourself ?

You seem to be on a mission. I didn't know you cared so much about me

(08-04-2025, 08:50 AM)DogwoodTales Wrote: You seem to be on a mission. I didn't know you cared so much about me


Given the specs of my kitchen plans, with the price assumptions above, yes I am saving $5200.
I will not know exactly how much I'm saving without wasting someone's time to give me a precise estimate for work that I'm not going to hire them to do. 
I'm doing this myself anyway just because I want to.