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Unlike custom cabinets, which are made to the specifications of a particular order, stock cabinets are manufactured in standard sizes before orders are placed. The manufacturer holds them in inventory or ships them to regional distributors or stocking dealers who sell them to homeowners.
Just as a handcrafted chair costs more than a mass-produced one, custom cabinets cost more than stock. Whether you have custom cabinets made in a local cabinet shop or by a large custom manufacturer, you pay for the time and talents of experienced cabinetmakers.
Custom cabinets require a lot of personal attention and time because they're designed and built from scratch. A 6- to 12-week waiting period is typical. Of course, for high-end kitchens or those requiring special cabinet sizes, configurations, or finishes, the premium of time and money is usually well worth it.Price and delivery time are the strongest advantages of stock cabinets. These cabinets benefit from the economies of mass production, so they tend to cost from one- to two-thirds less than similar-looking custom ones. Instead of paying $300 to $1,200 per lineal foot for custom cabinets, you're looking at between $75 and $250 per lineal foot for stock.
 Delivery time varies, depending on availability and the company's distribution methods, but it rarely exceeds two or three weeks. Cabinets warehoused locally may be available the same day and ready-to-assemble ("RTA") knock-down cabinets sold over-the-counter are often cash-and-carry.
There is sometimes a fine line between custom and stock cabinetry. Many large custom manufacturers simplify ordering and manufacturing by offering a wide range of standard sizes and finishes—perhaps 2,000 options. They can modify these by altering size, customizing finishes or colors, adding accessories, or changing the configurations.
Even small cabinet-making shops often buy pre-manufactured parts—doors and drawer fronts, for example. They integrate these into custom cabinets.
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