Pre-Assembled or RTA Cabinets for Rental Remodel?

Question

Does anyone have any experiences (good or bad) with cabinet companies such as Kitchen Cubes (Pre-Assembled), or Cabinets to Go (RTA)?  We need to remodel several Class B rental units in the suburbs north of Chicago, and are trying to determine whether to go these routes, or with stock cabinets from HD, Lowes, Menards, etc.  Of course we are looking for durability and a good warranty, but affordable (if such a thing exists!).  Any other suggestions or companies to investigate will be most appreciated!  Thank you in advance.

Drew Sygit · Answer

The more plywood and less pressboard, the longer they will last!

Erin Church · Answer

@Carla Wehrspann

As a non-cabinet seller… 😉

If you are comparing RTA to like Lowes/Home Depot cabinets - go RTA. I (sadly) had bad tenants in two units for the same amount of time (in one for 1.5 yrs, moved to the next for 1.5 yrs)

They were dirty and hard on the brand new units. The Lowes cabinets in rental one faired far worse than the solid wood RTA ones. Both kitchens were the same style and same color with the same family.

The RTA ones had much less water damage, less chipped paint, easier to clean the ick off of them… overall, much, much better experience with the real ones/RTA.

As a note, always store them flat on the ground until you’re putting them together (do not stand them on their side.

For those wondering how I ended up with the same not ideal tenants in two units… As a lesson learned, don’t take someone else’s word for how a unit is looking when you have a tenant that wants to move to another one of your units. I’m smarter and hoping to save someone that particular “cost of education” 🙂

Mark Ainley · Answer

@Carla Wehrspann We have a pretty good company we have used for about 10 years now near Midway..she comes out and measures and has them delivered right to you.  Very affordable for our rental standard.  I will DM their info to you now.  Lead time has been an issue as @John Warren noted.

John Warren · Answer

@Carla Wehrspann a few of the cabinet shops in the area are pretty cheap. They will assemble and deliver. I can PM you the shop I use, but there are quite a few that are like this. I would never buy from HD, Lowes or Menards. The prices are worse, the customer service stinks and the lead times are pretty rough too.

JS Berkenkamp · Answer

Feel free to reach out- I have an RTA company. I can explain the process as well as positives and negatives for RTA versus pre-built. If you email me, I will get back with you later in the day.