I’m building a new house and last summer i visited a small cabinet shop in Central/South America. We talked about my upcoming project and he asked if he could bid the work for me. I know there are risks involved in doing this and shipping is an issue + quality but i’d like to get some opinions on how good these prices are … especially compared to me doing some of this myself — i.e. i was going to build the kitchen cabinets and some of the built-ins but if these prices get anywhere close to my material costs (assume Alder stained to look like cherry) then it just may not make any sense for me to take this on.
Also…i realize that these prices are really budgetary until specifics get nailed down, but nonetheless what’s your thoughts on these prices given the detail.
Thanks!!
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Cabinets:
Alder(Alnus Glutinosa) is not available here. There are alternatives to Alder available here, such as Mahogony, or Cedar. Both have similar qualities with regard to workability, resistance to the effects of moisture, stability(these are all used in marine environements), and colors of all are similar. Light brown/blonde to light brown.
Our cabinet prices;
Base cabinets per lineal foot $187.50 U.S.
Upper cabinets ” ” ” $125.00 U.S.
This price includes:
Euro style, self closing hinges
Pull out shelving in bases
Solid wood drawers
raised panel doors
Upper cabinets have recess below for lighting
Of course extras like a nice appliance garage, lazy susans, or floor to top pantries add a little.
(NOTE : I’m curious what style rails he’s using + i’d prefer mostly drawers below).
(NOTE: I asked him to give me an idea what a stain grade 4×8 build-in would cost as well).
Built-ins
A 4×8 stain grade section, would run close to 1000.00 U.S.
That is based on an open shelving, solid wood constructed unit with minimal detail on rails and stiles.
Otherwise, built in cabinets like entertainment centers, etc, price similar to cabinet prices above.
Doors:
We offer SOLID WOOD doors in:
six panel
four panel
recessed flat panel
fixed louvre
or a design you have?
Doors are pre-hung, with 3/4″ jamb, 3/4″x 1.5″ door stop, 4×4 inch stainless steel with bearing hinges.
6’8″ doors are $312.50U.S.
8’0″ doors are $337.50U.S.
A nice Granadillo Entry door… well, without details..
I imagine, an eight foot tall, 42 inch wide, 1.75″ thick, bullet proof gaurdian.
From $750.00U.S.
We could provide you also with Mouldings(casing, base, crown etc.)
They start at $1.50 BZ/running foot. Most common profiles avail. and come in Mahogany and Cedar
Replies
Are you paying the shiping on this or is that included?
I'm a poor resource for estimating cabinets....I have a long-term custom guy locally who works really well with the customers, builds excellent cabinets, among other things, and his installer is the best I've seen. I couldn't begin to compare his prices to yours, because layout details are so site-specific that running foot #'s mean little to me.
But on the doors, the prices are pretty reasonable if the quality is good. I'm currently putting 3-0/8-0 paint-grade doug fir Simpson interior doors in the home we're building and the pre-hungs are over $500 per copy delivered.
Yet, as you yourself admitted, there is some risk involved....when I order cabinets or doors or bath fixtures or most anything else for a custom home, it belongs to the supplier until it's delivered on-site and I've personally checked it out for damage/quality/quantity, etc.
I might also point out that, when I order doors and windows, my local yard rep, and often the factory rep will visit the site and go over each door or window to verify jamb sizes, swings, tempered glass requirements, hardware finish, etc., especially when the sizes become non-standard or, as in my current project, many of the ext. and int. walls are sheared both sides so the jams are all custom.
I would be really nervous ordering doors directly from out of the country. It's always nice to help out somepeasant worker who might otherwise be growing nefarious foliages, but you may not be saving any money in the long run.
But I hope it works out for you!
Central / South America one big geographical area
doesn't he have to build a crate for your cabinet to enter / or maybe it gets its own container?
usually these things are lifted by cranes or the like
when your loot is opened there is usually a customs agent by your side
who knows what nefarious character might get ahold of your loot between your earnest cabinet maker and the customs agent
does that ship go through the Panama Canal in a westerly direction and your box ends up in a boxcar in Fargo for a month before rolling your way?
shipped a big box home after serving Peace Corp Paraguay 1985 and there were many moving targets - all worked out well though!
Thanks so much for the replies.
Well i'm not sure what the cases are made of yet -- i.e. can you get good plywood for the cases (solid wood would be unstable). Also i want to make sure the hardware (drawer guides) are of good quality.
I'm curious how the whole $ exchange thing will work. We'd have to work out something using an escrow service to make this work.
If i go down this road, i'd need to buy enough to essentially fill up a container and we'd have to arrange for the container to be delivered to the job site. Curious to see how much this is going to cost.
Any idea what materials cost per linear foot for cabinets?
Just tell me this guy isn't Austrian!
Gabe
Shipping a container can be expensive. Cabinet carcasses takes up a lot of room without much weight. Your broker will be able to get the cost of the shipping for you as well as any taxes or duties.
No...well not that i know of. Sounds like you had a bad experience !?
Anyway here's some pics
Ten years ago when I did euro-cabs all day... they cost an average of $500 per lineal foot, uppers and lowers each measured together, assume shaker doors, maple or cherry, site measure, layout, shop drawings, high quality S-W shop finish, installed, sales tax, everything. So, a ten foot wall with uppers and lowers along it would have been about $5000.
Your guy sounds dirt cheap. Can he get them into the country? What are the cabinet boxes made of?