Building my own Kitchen Cabinets: Questions

[Jeff Scott]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are embarking on a kitchen remodel. We have priced kitchen cabinets and the quotes came in much higher than budget allows for the quality we want. I had toyed with the idea of building them myself but decided I couldn't because all I have is a two car garage shop and no place to store the cabinets during construction. Then I hit upon an idea that I wanted to ask all of you your opinions on. I am thinking of renting a POD or other mobile container and parking it in my driveway during construction. This could store the cabinets during the various phases of construction and also store materials in it as needed. It gets pretty hot in the summer here and I'm wondering whether you think that the heat or humidity would affect the wood to any degree? I'm not sure it would be much worse than if they were stored in my garage during construction. Can you see any pros or cons to my plan? The bottom line is I can build the kitchen we want within budget and not sacrifice quality.

Thanks!

Jeff

 

[mastercabman]

I think you'll be OK.I would make sure that you have some kind of vent or let the door open during the day while you working on your project.

 

[mastercabman]

The bottom line is I can build the kitchen we want within budget and not sacrifice quality.

WOW! You must be very good at it or you are getting your material at a very low cost!

 

[Jeff Scott]

It's not that as much as it is the cabinet companies are very proud of their stuff. Even with particle board boxes!

 

[duburban]

It will be much more satisfying for sure. The challenge of working in unkind spaces is part of what attracts me to contractor work. Everything always works out, just use extra good practices.

 

[jgag]

I guess to some degree it depends on the materials and design. 
I built my first kitchen (30 years back) primarily with decent hand tools and basic Bosch tools, in the dining room, mind you just married and no kids...
There are still family jokes about doing the washing up in the bath for 6 months.

I made the first in what I can best describe as a space frame structure.  But essentially got the structure up and then made and hung the doors and shelves. 
If you don't factor in your time, there is no doubt in my mind you can match costs and control quality.

my second was based around a modular system - I bought the first couple of shells, and then just replicated them.
My third I paid a local professional company to make, over £25k and despite the requested - no chipboard just solid wood, still got considerable quantities of veneered chipboard and MDF - some of which wasn't even oak veneer...

I am sure building and installing a modular system, before embarking on the doors is the way to go.  Personally the best thing about the 3rd kitchen was the granite worktops which still looked good 10 years later. 

I too am planning to build my next kitchen, when the extension is complete, in a similar sized garage.  I think finding a second dry storage location is the only thing needed...

 

[tiralie]

I am thinking of renting a POD or other mobile container and parking it in my driveway during construction. This could store the cabinets during the various phases of construction and also store materials in it as needed. It gets pretty hot in the summer here and I'm wondering whether you think that the heat or humidity would affect the wood to any degree?

I think there are more pros than cons.
If you are building cabinets out of solid wood, (why?) and you store boxes in the POD for any length of time, then you will probably see some shrinkage over time as the POD will act like a mini kiln. The one time I visited Oklahoma it was quite warm. If you are building with a combination of sheet goods with solid wood face frames, end panels, door and drawer fronts I would definitely store the boxes in the POD and keep the finished solid panels etc. in the house. Finished (painted, or lacquered boxes) will be fine, you should get a nice baked on finish [big grin].

PODS charges can add up so if you can defer to the last possible moment you can save some money.
I wouldn't store any flammable materials or any kind of chemicals in there, particularly with the heat you guys get. If you have a shady spot on your driveway, I would definitely try get the POD parked there. They can get real hot and spending anytime in them can get real uncomfortable although a fan usually circulates enough air to make it workable.
Good luck.
Tim

 

[greenleaf]

Heres my 2 cents.
I have built a couple kitchens. The first took a very long time. We did not properly plan and spent a pot of time figuring out cut list. I have since started using sketchup. It makes a world of differance. On the second one i also decided  to buy the doors. It save a lot of time. Check out northern contours.
I always prefer a separate toe kick and do a lot of framesless cabinets. Not my favorite look but faster easier and cheaper.
There are a few companies that sell the framless boxes. That would solve your storage issue. I think one of them is quick-cabs.
Good luck.

 

[Acrobat]

;DWhat? You PARK YOUR CARS in the GARAGE??? Solution solved....park em outside, they have layers of protective paint one em don't they? [huh]

 

[Jeff Scott]

;DWhat? You PARK YOUR CARS in the GARAGE??? Solution solved....park em outside, they have layers of protective paint one em don't they? [huh]

Lol!  My garage is basically overflowing with tools and machines. I have to park some of them outside when I set up shop. Cars do live outside much to the chagrin of my wife  [laughing]

 

[Jeff Scott]

I am thinking of renting a POD or other mobile container and parking it in my driveway during construction. This could store the cabinets during the various phases of construction and also store materials in it as needed. It gets pretty hot in the summer here and I'm wondering whether you think that the heat or humidity would affect the wood to any degree?

I think there are more pros than cons.
If you are building cabinets out of solid wood, (why?) and you store boxes in the POD for any length of time, then you will probably see some shrinkage over time as the POD will act like a mini kiln. The one time I visited Oklahoma it was quite warm. If you are building with a combination of sheet goods with solid wood face frames, end panels, door and drawer fronts I would definitely store the boxes in the POD and keep the finished solid panels etc. in the house. Finished (painted, or lacquered boxes) will be fine, you should get a nice baked on finish [big grin].

PODS charges can add up so if you can defer to the last possible moment you can save some money.
I wouldn't store any flammable materials or any kind of chemicals in there, particularly with the heat you guys get. If you have a shady spot on your driveway, I would definitely try get the POD parked there. They can get real hot and spending anytime in them can get real uncomfortable although a fan usually circulates enough air to make it workable.
Good luck.
Tim

I agree there are more pros. I will try to store doors and drawers inside and maybe the boxes in a Conex box. I got a quote for $115 a month for a 8x20 box and hopefully I won't need it for long.  I think it boils down to that I know what I want and I know I can build it and not settle for less. Thanks!

 

[Nick C]

This is all about planning. Do as much as you can at your desk: list the panels, hardwood parts, and hardware you need. Specify the "machining"--holes, dados, notches, etc. required for each part. I use a spreadsheet for this, organized by "boxes." When you review and "QA" your list, you might be surprised at the number of parts, the amont of machining, the quantity of hardware, and the overall logistical challenge of pulling everything together smoothly and efficiently. Consider pre-building doors and drawers, but assembling the cabs on site. After the existing kitchen is demo-ed, you'll have some room to work, and if everthing is ready to go together (pre-finish the interiors!), this is pretty quick.

 

[morts10n]

Consider these two thoughts:

  1.  If possible, build a section, demo the old then install new. Move on to next section.

  2.  Build on to the garage first. Happy wife, happy life!!!

Good luck

 

[phmade]

Have you begun this project yet?  I am about to start a similar project for myself and family.  From the research I've done, I'm planning on buying the boxes from Cabinets Quick and then making my own doors...

I hope it's going well for you!

 

[mastercabman]

Have you begun this project yet?  I am about to start a similar project for myself and family.  From the research I've done, I'm planning on buying the boxes from Cabinets Quick and then making my own doors...

I hope it's going well for you!

I would go the other way,build my boxes and outsource my doors and drawers

 

[phmade]

I would go the other way,build my boxes and outsource my doors and drawers

That would be the efficient thing to do - but I'm on a roll of being inefficient!  Actually, I've built a few kitchens and I really like building the doors because that's the part that I get to see everyday.  But it definitely isn't the quickest route...

 

[jacko9]

I built my own kitchen cabinets with white oak and used quater sawn wood for the frames and doors.  The cabinet interiors are straight grain oak also.  I started the kitchen from a scaled drawing and built it one cabinet at a time.  I have a pull out pantry with heavy duty ball bearing slides that if my memory is right were Hafele 250# or so.  The pantry is 6' tall and 2' wide on a tee frame with wire baskets on both sides.  I built a solid frame and panel door for the pantry to match the cabinets.  I made the doors with a light duty shaper with carbide cutters.  The door panels are 7/8" thick raised panel both sides.

Jack

 

[Jeff Scott]

Hey Guys, just wanted to give you all a quick update:  I have started on this project and am well underway now.  I have been constructing the cabinet boxes and face frames to start with, doors and drawers come later.  I started a blog about my kitchen remodel that you can visit by clicking on my name then clicking "My Kitchen Remodel Blog" which will take you to the site.  Or just click the little earth under my name to get there!  Thanks for looking and leave me some comments! 

 

[peter halle]

Jeff,

Great start!  Sorry that Mother Nature has turned on the broiler over Oklahoma lately  [scared].  Gotta love that prefinished ply.  By the way, I couldn't get the materials here for what you did.  Good score in my mind! [thumbs up]

Keep going.......

Peter

 

[tiralie]

Jeff:
Looks good.
It would be nice to see your plans, drawings so we can follow along with your progress.
Tim