Ready-to-assemble (RTA) kitchen cabinets offer homeowners an option to save money on kitchen remodeling—though this option comes with a time and labor cost. Rather than ready-to-hang cabinets, these cabinets are delivered in parts in a flat pack, along with all the hardware needed for assembly. Because you do the assembling yourself, you can cut costs significantly by spending more time assembling your cabinets. You still get all of the design choices and material options that you'd find with other cabinets, and there's a wide range of price points. You can choose higher or lower quality cabinets, and the price will reflect that.
Before you start shopping for new kitchen cabinets, first consider whether refacing your cabinets could be a better option. It's more affordable and easier, but RTA is a better option if you have to replace cracked or broken cabinets on a budget. Them if RTA is the right path, take the time to learn more about RTA cabinets. Our comprehensive guide will take you through what to look for when buying RTA cabinets, approximate costs, assembling, and more.
10 RTA (Ready-to-Assemble) Cabinet Suppliers
What Are RTA Cabinets?
RTA cabinets are cabinets that come flat packed with all of the pieces and holes ready to go and, yes, ready to assemble. When you order RTA cabinets, all of the parts have been cut to size, holes have been drilled where needed, and any cabinet finishes you requested have been applied. Then the parts are stacked and wrapped. You can bring them home from the store, if they have them in stock, or have them shipped to your home.
You then face the job of assembling and installing the cabinets. They should have instructions included, but these may be mostly drawings and steps with minimal or no written guidance. Some also have a link to online videos that show how to assemble your cabinets.
Cost
When you look at the cost for regular cabinets vs. RTA, you'll see that you save significantly with RTA. Regular cabinets will cost $50 to $150 per linear foot, while RTA are $30 to $100. That adds up significantly throughout a kitchen. And, depending on the size of your kitchen, regular cabinets could run you as low as $2,000 or all the way up to $26,000 and beyond. Meanwhile, RTA cabinets can be as affordable as half the price of pre-assembled cabinets.
However, your cost of kitchen cabinets can vary significantly depending on such factors as cabinet materials, finish, complexity, and degree of completion.
Kitchen cabinets are often priced by the linear foot, which is simply the horizontal distance along the wall that will be filled with cabinets. The linear foot cost typically includes both upper (wall) and bottom (base) cabinets in one price. Depending on the mix of low-cost and expensive options you choose, kitchen cabinets for a full kitchen can range from roughly $250 per linear foot to $750 or more.
Make sure to get price quotes for comparable products from two or three suppliers. It's possible you might have to price out separate suppliers for the cabinet boxes, doors, and hardware. RTA cabinet suppliers are usually helpful in suggesting sources for the other materials, and you should be able to do this work online.
Most Affordable
For more affordable RTA cabinets, consider cabinets with white, melamine-coated, particleboard cabinet boxes and drawers; flat panel doors; and unfinished elements that you paint yourself.
Average
Coming in at the middle of the price range are veneered plywood cabinet boxes and hardwood face frames. One of the biggest cost factors has to do with the level of complexity, so these cabinets will typically be standard depth and size.
Most Expensive
The most expensive RTA cabinets include solid wood doors, and dovetailed drawers. Cabinets in odd sizes and with angles can cost more, as can accessories such as crown molding or interior lighting.
Pros and Cons
Pros of RTA Cabinets
- Lower Cost: Because there's less labor and less room required for flat pack shipping, the cost is significantly lower than other cabinets.
- Shorter Lead Time: Typically, RTA cabinets are at your door sooner than regular cabinets.
- Easy to Install: It's easy to learn how to install RTA cabinets, especially with a large library of tutorials available online.
- High-Quality Materials: Ready-to-assemble doesn't mean lower quality. These cabinets are available in high-quality materials, including solid wood.
- Customizable: You can customize RTA cabinets in the same way you'd customize regular cabinets. The material, finish, and size options are nearly endless.
Cons of RTA Cabinets
- DIY Install: While you could hire someone to install your RTA cabinets, typically, you're the one doing the installing.
- Time: DIY installing takes time! This isn't going to be an overnight project.
- No Warranty: Since they're not being installed by a professional, manufacturers typically won't offer a guarantee or warranty with RTA cabinets.
Buying Considerations for RTA Cabinets
Quality
You can buy RTA cabinets that are every bit as strong and attractive as anything you find in a kitchen showroom, and you should avoid cabinets with stapled particleboard drawers, integrated rail drawer guides, and doors made of veneered particleboard or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
The features of a quality cabinet include:
- Solid wood drawers with dovetail joinery
- Full-extension drawer guides
- Doors that have a solid wood frame, with panels made either of solid wood or plywood
- Finishes and coating applied by brush rather than sprayed on
While you can check these features in person at a store, you can also request a door sample when buying online.
Assembly
Most RTA cabinets only need glue, wood dowels, and screws, all of which should be supplied with the cabinets, along with clear instructions. Cabinets, drawers, and doors are predrilled for attaching hardware and hinges. Often, the only tool you will need for assembly is a screwdriver.
However, it's a good idea to refer to online videos showing how your cabinets are assembled, if available.
Types of RTA Cabinets
Beyond the style of the cabinet, there is also the cabinet overlay which is something that should be considered for any type of cabinetry you purchase, not just RTA cabinets. This has to do with the way the cabinet door sits on the frame of the cabinet. There are three cabinet overlay types: partial overlay, full overlay, and inset overlay.
Partial Overlay
The partial overlay is the most popular and standard type of cabinet. This overlay leaves some space between cabinet doors and drawers, and hardware is not always necessary. The partial overlay offers a more traditional and classical look and is the least expensive type of cabinet to purchase.
Full Overlay
The full overlay type of cabinet covers the entire front of the cabinet frame. Where the cabinet doors meet, there is little to no space between them. Hardware needs to be attached to allow you the ability to open and close cabinets and doors.The sleek full overlay allows a bit larger storage capacity and easier access to items in the cupboards.
Inset
Inset cabinet doors fit on the inside of the frame, making them lay flush with the cabinet frame. The entire frame is exposed to view and the cabinet's door edges are protected and less easy to nick or damage. This type is typically more expensive than either the partial or full overlay.
How to Choose RTA Cabinets
It all comes down to personal preference regarding style, color, and finish when choosing your cabinets for your kitchen or bathroom. But here are a few factors to consider.
Space
Knowing exactly how much space you have for each cabinet is critical. Get the measuring tape out and measure once, twice, and three times to ensure you have the correct calculations before purchasing. Measure for length, width, and height for each cabinet you need to buy. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, hire a professional to ensure you get exactly what size you need.
Features
When choosing cabinets look for features such as a soft-close mechanism, vertical dividers, trash pull out, corner storage, and if replacement parts are available. These extra amenities can make life easier for you as you cook and enjoy your kitchen. They also make it easier for you to set up and store your kitchen items.
How Long Do You Plan to Stay Where You Are?
New kitchen cabinets are a big investment. Take into consideration how long you are planning to stay in your home. Is it long-term? Or are you getting the house ready and updated to sell? This should guide how much you want to spend on kitchen cabinets.
Where to Shop
You can find RTA cabinets at some big-box stores (IKEA, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Costco), but a much broader selection is available from online retailers. Buying at a store allows you to interact with the staff, who may be able to help explain the differences in the cabinets available and give advice on your room layout. These types of services may also be available at some online retailers, with some sites having the ability to create a custom layout and display photorealistic renderings of the room.
10 RTA (Ready-to-Assemble) Cabinet Suppliers
FAQ
How do you assemble RTA cabinets?
RTA cabinets go together with wood dowels, screws, and glue. Instructions are usually provided in the form of videos or written ones, to assist you in putting them together.
How long does it take to assemble RTA cabinets?
If you're a novice handyman, it should take approximately 45 minutes to one hour to assemble each cabinet. As you progress in the assembly line of cabinets, you might get a bit quicker.
How long will RTA cabinets last?
The typical lifespan of a good quality constructed RTA cabinet should last around 20 years or more. This also depends on the correct installation and proper care and maintenance throughout the years.
Are RTA cabinets worth it?
RTA cabinets are great when you're trying to quickly renovate a kitchen on a budget, yet they're high quality enough to last for decades. Yes, they're worth it!
Why are RTA cabinets so cheap?
With RTA cabinets, you're cutting out both the labor of assembling them, as well as the expense of shipping fully assembled cabinets. Both of these factors drastically lower the price from that of regular cabinets.
Are RTA cabinets strong?
RTA cabinets are as strong as the materials you choose to use, which is the same that can be said for regular cabinets. High-quality RTA cabinets should last two to three decades.
