Semi-Custom Cabinets: A Practical Guide for Kitchen Designers

Choosing the right semi-custom line isn’t just about price—it’s about finding a partner that helps you sell more and keep your customers happy. Semi-custom cabinets provide more flexibility than stock, are less expensive than custom and offer many more options than imports.

For designers, dealers and remodelers, they represent a profitable cabinet offering. But not all semi-custom lines are created equal and understanding how they work—and how to sell them—can make a significant difference in your results.

This guide covers what you need to know about semi-custom cabinets, including how to choose the right line, what to expect after the sale, and how common installation issues can often be resolved on site.

Why Integrity Cabinets Works for Your Business

Semi-custom cabinetry is a huge, dominant niche that just about every dealer needs. I don’t think I have to sell you on the idea that semi-custom cabinets belong in your product offering mix. After all, they are ideal for most homeowners: less expensive than custom and with many more options than imports.

If you’re already offering semi-custom cabinets, the next question is: are you offering the right line? Not all semi-custom lines are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can cost you time, margin and customer satisfaction.

5 Solid Reasons to Choose Semi-Custom Cabinets from Integrity

Quality and Value

Integrity Cabinets delivers outstanding value without sacrificing style or craftsmanship.

Faster Lead Times

Typical lead times for Integrity orders is 5-6 weeks, with slightly longer for their inset cabinets.

Styles & Flexibility

A broad range of door styles, wood species, stains, paints and specialized finish options.

Reliable Support

Semi-custom cabinets backed by limited lifetime warranty coverage and the factory’s support.

Easy Ordering

Integrity catalogs on both ProKitchen and 2020. Along with their quick quote pricing spreadsheet.

Understanding Semi-Custom Limitations

Semi-custom cabinets offer a strong balance of flexibility and value, but like any product category, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.

Size Limitations

While semi-custom allows for changes in depth or height, you’re limited to standard sizes.

Near Flush Sides

Finished sides on semi-custom cabinets have a slight reveal, called “near flush”. Most people do not find this objectionable. In fact, they don’t even notice it.

Limited Wood and Finish Options

More wood species and finish options are available in semi-custom than with stock cabinets, but more limited than custom. Most lines offer standard wood species only – Oak, Hickory, Maple, Cherry. Rustics may be available at an additional cost, while some companies may not offer Rustics at all.

Integrity Cabinets offers Red Oak, White Oak, Maple, Cherry, Hickory and Knotty Hickory.

Not as Many Doors as Custom

Semi-custom gives you more door styles than stock cabinets. However, the selection is limited when compared to custom. Integrity offers 30 door styles with both mitered and mortise and tenon construction.

Finish Quality

There will be differences in finish quality between custom and semi-custom. Sanding differences will be visible when custom and semi-custom cabinets are seen side by side.

Limited Built-In Storage Accessories

The selection of built-in storage accessories may be limited when compared to custom. However, most semi-custom lines, like Integrity, offer a robust selection of factory installed storage accessories, like lazy susans, trash pull-outs and roll-outs. Plus they will quote items not in their spec book.

In most cases, these limitations are minor compared to the flexibility and value semi-custom cabinets provide—especially when working with the right manufacturer.

How Integrity Compares on Price

To put everything about Integrity into perspective, here’s how their products compare to their competitors on pricing.

US Cabinet Depot $3837.00 (assembled and delivered price)

Waypoint $4356.00 (400 Series door)

Integrity Cabinets Paint and Stain $4423.00

Kith $4955.00 (.29)

Kraftmaid stain $5956.00 / Kraftmaid paint $6492.00

Brighton Cabinetry paint $6518.00 (another line that I rep)

Diamond Distinctions Paint Group 3 door APC-$6601.00

Diamond Distinctions Paint Group 5 door APC-$7013.00

Showplace stain $6453.00 / Showplace paint $6960.00

Here’s why I Recommend Integrity Cabinets

#1 Reason to Choose Integrity

Integrity is a dynamic cabinet line that regularly introduces something new – a door, a color, a new wood specie.

#2 Reason to Choose Integrity

Their dealers are treated well: spiffs, co-op dollars – 1% of sales, and a pre-loaded sales aids account to help you get started.

#3 Reason to Choose Integrity

Their goal is to supply dealers with what they need so they can satisfy customers and improve their margins.

#4 Reason to Choose Integrity

They give dealers a new revenue stream: they can sell through the trade for new construction and remodeling.

#5 Reason to Choose Integrity

Their cabinets are proudly Made in America. Integrity promises to “always conduct business with integrity.”

How To Choose

So how do you choose the line that will deliver the best value to your clients, give you the flexibility to outsell imports or your higher cost competitors and increase your bottom line?

That’s where I come in. I have been selling cabinets for 30+ years and have pretty much seen it all. I resisted selling semi-custom for a long time because to me, semi-custom was just stock cabinets with a different name. Then I did some research and discovered Integrity Cabinets.

Reach out to me if you’re intrigued and we’ll explore the opportunity for your bottom line.

Still Not Sure Integrity Cabinets is Right for Your Business?

Let’s talk about where Integrity Cabinets fits—and how it can support your design style and sales goals.

Semi-Custom Cabinets: A Practical Guide for Kitchen Designers