When you start shopping for cabinets, you will run into three tiers: RTA, semi-custom, and custom. These terms get thrown around a lot but are not always explained clearly. Understanding the difference will help you set a realistic budget, timeline, and expectation for your project before you talk to anyone.
At Cabinetto we carry all three tiers through our four brands, so we do not have a reason to push you toward any particular one. Our job is to match you with the right tier for your specific project.
| Category | RTA | Semi Custom | Custom |
| Lead Time | 2 days to 2 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Size increments | 3 inch steps | 1.5 inch steps | Any size |
| Finish options | 10 to 30 colors | 50 to 200 colors | Unlimited |
| Modifications | Standard only | Limited modifications | Any configuration |
| Typical cost | $ to $$ | $$ to $$$ | $$$ to $$$$ |
| Best for | Standard kitchens, contractors, fast projects | Most remodels | Unique spaces, high-end homes |
Best Value And Fastest
RTA cabinets (ready-to-assemble)
RTA cabinets are built in standard sizes, stored in flat boxes, and assembled on site. The term “ready-to-assemble” refers to the fact that they ship flat-packed, not that they are lower quality. Many RTA cabinets from Fabuwood, for example, use plywood construction with plywood boxes, soft-close hardware, and dovetail drawer boxes. They are not cheap cabinets in the negative sense of the word.
What makes RTA attractive is speed and cost. Because they are made in standard sizes and kept in stock, we can often have them ready for pickup the same day or within a week. For a contractor on a tight schedule or a homeowner who does not need a completely custom layout, RTA is often the smartest choice.
The limitation is that RTA cabinets come in fixed increments, typically 3 inches. If your kitchen is an unusual size or you have a specific configuration that does not fit standard dimensions, you may need to fill gaps with filler strips. This works fine in most kitchens and is standard practice, but if you want everything to feel completely custom-fit, you are looking at the next tier.
Who it is right for: Most standard kitchens and bathrooms, contractors purchasing in volume, homeowners on a budget or timeline, rental property renovations.
Best For Most Remodels
Semi-custom cabinets
Semi-custom cabinets are built to order within a range of sizes, finishes, and configurations that the manufacturer offers. They come in smaller size increments than RTA, typically every 1.5 inches, and offer far more finish and door style options. You can also request modifications like different height upper cabinets, special interior storage features, or specific hardware.
Semi-custom is where most mid-to-upper-range kitchen remodels land. Brands like Fabuwood’s Galaxy line and Durasupreme’s mid-range offerings give you significantly more flexibility than RTA without the lead time or cost of fully custom cabinetry.
The lead time for semi-custom ranges from 4 to 6 weeks depending on the brand and finish. This is an important planning detail: you order, wait, and then schedule installation. We give you an accurate lead time estimate before you place any order.
Who it is right for: Most kitchen and bathroom remodels, homeowners who want more color or configuration choices than RTA offers, projects where a few specific dimensions need to be non-standard.
MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY
Custom cabinets
Custom cabinets are built entirely to your specifications. Any size, any finish, any interior configuration. There are no standard size limits, no preset color options, and no restrictions on modifications. A skilled custom cabinet shop can build essentially anything you can draw.
The trade-off is time and cost. Custom cabinets typically take 6 to 8 weeks from order to delivery. They cost significantly more than RTA or semi-custom. And the result, while exceptional, requires a more experienced installer and a more precise job-site measurement process.
Through Durasupreme and Bertch we offer full custom cabinetry for clients who need it. We will tell you honestly if your project actually requires custom, because many situations that homeowners think need custom can be solved very elegantly with semi-custom at a fraction of the cost. See our full brand comparison to understand which line fits each tier.
Who it is right for: Unusual kitchen layouts, high-end new construction, projects where specific design features cannot be achieved with semi-custom, clients for whom the budget is not the primary constraint.
The honest answer most people need to hear
The vast majority of Austin kitchen remodels are well served by semi-custom cabinetry, with RTA being an excellent choice for standard layouts on a tight budget or timeline. Fully custom is genuinely necessary less often than most people assume. When we do a free 3D design for your kitchen, we will tell you exactly which tier fits your space and why.
What about quality?
Tier does not equal quality. A well-built RTA cabinet from Fabuwood with plywood box construction and soft-close hardware will outlast a poorly built custom cabinet. What you are paying for when you move up tiers is flexibility and fit, not necessarily better materials. Within each tier, construction quality varies significantly by brand. That is exactly what we help you navigate at our showroom.
