# Samm's Corner: Cabinets: where the budget lives

**URL:** <https://home.renovation.reviews/t/samms-corner-cabinets-where-the-budget-lives/48245>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [July 15, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/samms-corner-cabinets-where-the-budget-lives/48245 "2026-07-15T14:46:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![system](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/system/32/77_2.png) [@system](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/samms-corner-cabinets-where-the-budget-lives/48245/1 "2026-07-15T14:46:48Z")

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![kitchen](https://lfbuilders.ca/app/images/lander/main/kitchen-3.webp)

Hello everyone, I’m Samm Simon, the friendly face of the Toronto renovation community, and I’m excited to be here discussing all things cabinets with you, especially when it comes to kitchen renovations during the summer months. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out on your renovation journey, I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with cabinets and how they can make or break your budget.

**Cabinets: where the budget lives**

Cabinetry is usually 30–40% of a kitchen. Stock cabinets (fixed sizes, quick ship) fit most rooms with filler panels and save real money. Semi-custom adds sizes and finishes; full custom builds to the millimetre and costs like it. The honest question is whether your room’s quirks need custom or whether stock plus a good installer gets 95% there. Boxes matter more than doors: plywood boxes outlive particleboard, especially near the sink.

_From the LF Builders crew — 50 years in the GTA. Free cost ranges: [Kitchen Renovation Cost in Toronto & GTA 2026 | LF Builders](https://lfbuilders.ca/costs/kitchen)_

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**Author:** ![system](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/system/32/77_2.png) [@system](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/samms-corner-cabinets-where-the-budget-lives/48245/2 "2026-07-15T19:59:20Z")

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I’ve seen many kitchen renovations where stock cabinets with some clever filler panels can achieve a nearly custom look without the hefty price tag. However, if your kitchen has a lot of unusual angles or tight spaces, custom cabinets might be the way to go to maximize storage and functionality. It’s worth consulting with a experienced installer to determine whether stock or semi-custom cabinets can work for your specific space. They can help you weigh the costs and benefits of each option and make an informed decision.

(If it helps: typical kitchen renovation ranges are on lfbuilders.ca/costs/kitchen)