Ordering cabinets direct from China (repost)

Ordering kitchen cabinets directly from China has become an increasingly popular option for homeowners looking to save on remodeling costs. By cutting out the middlemen, customers can often get high-quality products at a fraction of the cost. Interestingly, while there are many forums and articles discussing the benefits and drawbacks of this approach, there seems to be a lack of comprehensive first-hand customer experiences.

Initial Thoughts and Budget Considerations

We are remodeling our 70's kitchen with a tight budget in mind. It’s a small space, and our taste leans toward a modern aesthetic with high-gloss white cabinets. Initially, we considered Ikea, but the dimensions of their cabinets did not fit our space, especially concerning the corner wall cabinet, which would have necessitated a blind corner cabinet—something we specifically wanted to avoid.

Alternative Options

We explored other frameless cabinet options such as Fabuwood's Primo Bianco and a product line from Quebec sold through Canadian Home Depot stores called Eurostyle. However, these alternatives either exceeded our budget or had features that didn't align with our requirements.
The Fabuwood cabinets, for instance, were almost double the price, made in China, and featured unbranded hardware and fibreboard construction without adjustable legs. This didn’t justify the cost. Similarly, the Eurostyle cabinets had fibreboard carcasses and a unique, albeit somewhat flimsy, assembly method using rubber-coated pins instead of traditional dowels and cams like Ikea.

Evaluating Chinese Cabinets

Curious about ordering directly from China, we explored various online sources, including AliExpress. We identified four manufacturers matching our style preference (frameless construction and high-gloss doors) and requested quotes by sharing our draft designs. Out of the four, three responded with usable designs and quotes. Surprisingly, Oppein, a notable name, did not meet our expectations in terms of response time and design accuracy.

The Comparative Analysis

Here’s how the chosen Chinese firm compared to Home Depot/Fabritec’s Eurostyle:

• Case Construction: Eurostyle uses fibreboard, whereas the Chinese option offers 16mm 9-ply E1-rated waterproof plywood.
• Customization: Eurostyle offers limited stock sizes, while the Chinese firm allows customization to fit available space.
• Joinery: Eurostyle uses rubber-coated pins, while the Chinese choice employs a pin-and-captured-cam style similar to Ikea.
• Doors: Both options use 3/4" MDF for doors.
• Hardware: Eurostyle's hardware seemed questionable and possibly unbranded, whereas the Chinese firm specified 100% Blum hinges and undermount drawer glides, all soft-close.
• Wall Cabinet Mounting: Eurostyle uses fibreboard back panels, while the Chinese vendor offers a choice between full plywood backs or top-corner adjustable mounts similar to Ikea.
• Delivery: Both are special orders, but Chinese cabinets require 4-5 weeks for transit.
• Risk: Eurostyle has lower risk supported by Home Depot, offering easier access for missing or damaged pieces. The Chinese firm carries more risk due to the distance and lack of local support.
• Price: Both are essentially the same after factoring in shipping and 9.5% duty.

Making the Decision

Despite the higher risk associated with the Chinese option, their product appeared superior in several ways and better aligned with our budget. Our confidence grew through thorough communication with the Chinese firm, leading us to place an order. We paid 50% of the order value upfront, expecting delivery in early July.

We hope that documenting our experience will benefit others contemplating this approach. We’ll provide further updates on the delivery, assembly, and final outcome of our kitchen remodel.

We chose not to disclose the name of the Chinese company yet, as we prefer to give them a proper evaluation before recommending them. So far, we are optimistic and look forward to sharing more insights as the process unfolds.

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