The first question you have to ask yourself is why you want custom cabinetry? If you cook in your home frequently, have lots of kitchen gadgets, or require something abnormal for your home due to a disability, or some other physical impairment custom cabinetry might be your only or best option. However, if you want custom cabinetry to add bragging rights, or to improve your home value, or to be unique, it may not be your best option.

The second question to ask yourself is whether or not the cost is justified? Custom cabinetry can cost nearly twice as much as purchasing stock cabinetry. Is it going to make a big enough difference in the aesthetic appeal of your home to justify the added expense? If not, then putting in custom cabinetry is simply a vanity, and does not add equity, or value to your home, at least not enough to make it worth it. However, if it means putting your home a cut above the rest, and helps you sell it faster, or enjoy it more, then the cost is justified.

The third question to ask yourself is whether or not custom cabinetry fits the look and feel of your home? If you have a huge, expensive, everything custom home, having run of the mill cabinets may look out of place, but if you have a normal home, normal cabinets should work just fine. In some cases, spending the extra in the kitchen for custom cabinets may mean not having as much for other things in your home that are often more important, such as your flooring.

A great option for people who want the best of both worlds is to do stock cabinetry under your counters, as they are not as visible, and have some custom pieces made for hanging on your walls. Or, add in a few custom touches to stock pieces. For example, you could have custom doors made, or add a custom piece with a hood for above your stove, or a custom corner piece, etc. This will add to the look, aesthetic value, and feel of your home, without compromising the cost or your budget.

If you are looking to add equity, or improve the resale value of your home, custom cabinetry is not usually the best way to go. While it can create a unique feel that may speak to potential buyers, you often can not recoup the cost, and can get a similar appeal with a high end stock cabinet. Just because it is not custom made, does not mean it is not a quality cabinet. So, do not skimp on your cabinets, but that does not necessarily mean you have to buy custom.