Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 902 votes
So we're a few flips in now and we've only used IKEA cabinets with the soft close hinges. They look good and work well but our contractors hate them due to the assembly time. We're probably getting dinged by the contractor for the assembly time too but, outside of that, the cost and quality seems comparable to cabinets I'm seeing sold locally by cabinet distributors.
Thoughts? Any suggestions on where to get the best quality and price on cabinets in Philadelphia area? I'd love to try something else.
Contractor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2008 · 978 posts · 985 votes
10y
We've used Ikea in the past. Done quite a bit of it, actually. I know them better than I want to, so here it goes -
PROS - * Easy to pick up if you're missing a piece * Excellent value for hardware options. Doing fancy hardware combinations would be twice as much from a conventional manufacturer (Pull outs, pull downs, etc.) * Typically immediately available * Good longevity for regular human use (Not low-grade tenants) * Doors are super easy to replace if you need to replace something or change styles later * The rails are affordable. Frameless cabinets need to be installed on rails, and something from a 'real' manufacturer costs 2x. * It's very easy to price as a layman * The homeowner can customize to their heart's content. One time we flipped a house with Ikea and gave the homeowner a $1000 gift card for a full-price offer... and it worked. * If the cabinets are installed correctly, they're good and sturdy.
CONS - * Easy to pick up... until that one piece you need is unavailable and will take 6 months to get to you from China. * Contractors hate them and it's virtually impossible to bill enough to cover assembly. * It's almost impossible to wrap a typical installer's (or carpenter's) brain around the assembly method. If you weren't a Lego kid, you're basically SOL. Putting together a full kitchen is more like putting together the world's most challenging Lego kit than it is normal carpentry or cabinet work. * Logistically, they suck. The delivery sucks. The waiting in line sucks. I've never had a kitchen or anything else delivered 100% accurately... there's always parts missing, and half of someone's bed mixed in. * Did I mention that waiting in line SUCKS. Someone is going to spend hours dealing with the incomplete or inaccurate delivery. * Their design software is a total POS. My kitchen and bath people typically run 20/20 and scream bloody murder at the screen when running the Ikea software. * The crappy design software makes it very hard to do anything beyond basic, straight layouts. * The crappy design software and the batching of some parts (like hinges) invariably means that you are going to end up with too many hinges. * For a frameless cabinet, the reveals are large and unsightly. Granted, that may not matter most of the time... but it will never compare to a good quality frameless cabinet. * The plastic feet suck, the toe kick sucks worse. We usually end up ripping down 2x6s to make runners for the base cabinets, and then nailing 1x4 in for toe kick. * The toe kick is sold in absurdly short lengths, making a really clean install of toe kick impossible. * The parts are downright fragile in the boxes. We've never gotten through a delivery or install without something being damaged in the box either from being dropped, or bending down the middle, or whatever. * The last kitchen we did came in 997 (actual number) individual parts/boxes/bags. The delivery guys give zero ***** about sorting things accurately, and so just sorting the parts takes hours and a decent logistical brain. * Doing that kind of sorting in a small, crowded, dusty, hot, cold space is awful. * In order to figure out what parts are missing from the delivery BEFORE you need the parts, the only viable option is to have someone stand in front of the delivery truck with your own bill of lading and manually check off every piece that comes out of the truck. Not only do the delivery people hate this, the person tasked with the job will be ready to sit in a hot bath and slit their wrist once it is all over.
Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
10y
A little late to this thread, but those in the Philadelphia area can look up KitchenSearch and ask for Alex - tell him I sent you. He sells Chinese made knock downs (flat pack) - he will assemble for a modest extra charge per cabinet, and he will deliver as well (of course, you can choose to pick up and / or assemble yourself). Variety of styles and colors. All have plywood boxes - no MDF or particle board. Most styles come with soft close doors and drawers as well. Alex will measure and do layout for you as well if you choose.
And vanity bases for the bath are also available.
Alex also offers a selection of knobs and pulls that you will find to be less expensive than the big box stores.
This is not going to be custom built. Fillers are available and should be used in some instances anyway. Scribe molding should also be considered to trim things out nicely. Panels stained to match are available as well for the backsides of peninsulas and islands. Things like end panels are also available to match.
Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 902 votes
10y
Kitchen Search These guys @Steve Babiak? I'll definitely check them out, thanks! @Mark Redmann, you should see how they compare to the place you found in Levittown and report back.
Kitchen Search These guys @Steve Babiak? I'll definitely check them out, thanks! @Mark Redmann, you should see how they compare to the place you found in Levittown and report back.
On it like sonic! Saw that post this morning! They seem to have comparable quality and it actually looks like the color names are the same or very similar. I didn't see a grey cabinet though with the kitchen search folks. I sent my floorplan and am awaiting a price! Thanks Troy!
Kitchen Search These guys @Steve Babiak? I'll definitely check them out, thanks! @Mark Redmann, you should see how they compare to the place you found in Levittown and report back.
Yes, that's the website. Remember this is a relationship business - make a phone call, ask for Alex and tell him I sent you.
Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2013 · 177 posts · 80 votes
10y
Steve,
Thanks for that info. I'll call today and begin a dialogue. Sometimes I forget this is a business of relationships. I sent Alex an email, but nothing replaces a phone call or in person conversation!
Chula Vista, CA · Member since 2015 · 90 posts · 25 votes
10y
@Troy Sheets Sorry I haven't read all the posts so this might be a repeat. I dislike IKEA so much I had to respond. Try theRTAstore. My sister and I used them for a rehab in Indianapolis. Can purchase flat pack or pre-assembled. We got them pre-assembled and with that cost and shipping it was still a better deal than we could come up locally. They are in NY so delivery time should be no problem.
422 Wallace Ave in Indianapolis is where the cabinets can be seen.
THIS IS NOT A PLUG FOR THE STORE...just my experience.
IKEA cabinets are typically made with the lowest density particle board which is the cheapest of the cheap. Shelves warp quicker than MDF or HDF because there is really no structural integrity to the material. I installed them in my Mom's bedroom because that is what she wanted...and you don't argue with your Mom :-)