Greenville, SC · Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 1 vote
Looking to find a company to Manufacture Kitchen Cabinets for 100 Town Homes - Also Quarts Countertops - Any experience doing this? Has anyone worked with companies in Mexico to do this? How have you gone about a project like this to keep costs low?
Investor · Lakeland, FL · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
When we look to save money on cabinets, we buy ready to assemble cabinets. (abbreviated RTA in the market). These come in flat boxes, but the nice thing is that they are usually solid wood cabinets (not particle board) - if you buy the better ones. The ones we buy are soft close drawers, and look really nice once built. I don't think you want to go to someone who is going to build you custom cabinets. I can't see that being affordable at all.
I would think going to a wholesaler of RTA cabinets and saying, "Give me a quote for 100 units" you would get a pretty good deal. Trying to go further back in the production chain may or may not yield any better results if you are talking a one-off purchase.
Countertops could be really tricky. Even if every unit is "Identical" doesn't mean the builder built them to the inch measurements... so if the wall is 1 inch shorter, you could have issues trying to do pre-fabbed work there. I would stick to a local shop. One thing I have done that worked really well was to go to a wholesale slab seller and just walk in and say, "Hey, I'm looking for a lot of slabs, but need an affordable local installer that will buy them from you... Who would you recommend?" They know their local buyers / installers - and hopefully it will be in their best interest to give you a reasonable guy if they want to sell their product. Do that with several different locations and you will pretty quickly get down to the best price per square foot for your project.
Greenville, SC · Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 1 vote
3y
Thank you so much, this will prove to be very helpful. Connecting with a local shop for the countertops - and getting quotes still for the cabinets - I was not sure how far back investors are willing to go in the supply chain to save a buck.
Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y
Why not just mod the plans to fit standard low cost home depot cabinets--and make sure they can deliver the amount you need.
If you take 100% delivery up front you will need to store them, insure them and possibly guard them, as well as load and transport them--so that figures into the cost also.
Doing it Just in Time, may leave you with delays, despite promises to the contrary, so figure that into the cost also.
Knockdowns (You Assemble) might store in a few 18 wheel trailers, but beware of moisture and humidity (flake board and plywood).
You will need an inventory system for cabinets in and cabinets out if you store them--that's a lot of cabinets.