Choosing kitchen cabinets for an Atlanta-area project starts with the room and the work you need the cabinets to do. Stock, semi-custom and custom are useful starting labels, but the specific product line, layout and written proposal matter more than a label alone. Compare the options against your measurements, appliance specifications, finish preferences and project schedule before placing an order.
Use this guide to prepare questions for a supplier. It does not assume that every category, size or finish is available from Citi Cabinet; confirm the current options for your project with the team.
What do stock, semi-custom and custom mean?
Stock generally describes a defined range of cabinet sizes and finishes. Semi-custom generally describes a catalog with additional choices or permitted modifications. Custom describes cabinetry planned around a particular design. Suppliers use these terms differently, so ask for the actual specifications and available modifications rather than relying on the category name.
A category is not a complete quality specification. Compare the cabinet box, door and drawer construction, hardware, finish, warranty and installation requirements separately. Ask which features are included in the quoted line and which are optional.
Start with the layout
Prepare a sketch showing walls, openings, appliances and visible utilities. Include photos of corners, soffits and other obstructions. Our kitchen cabinet measuring guide explains what to record for an initial conversation.
Then ask a designer or installer to check the final arrangement. A layout needs to account for appliance openings, fillers, panels, door and drawer operation, and the space available around the cabinets. Do not infer that a standard-size box will fit simply because its stated width matches one measurement.
For an existing kitchen, explain what you want to keep and what you want to change. Keeping the appliance locations raises different questions from moving the sink, changing the range or adding an island. List those decisions before comparing cabinet proposals.
Compare the same features in each proposal
Ask each supplier to identify the following for the exact collection and finish being quoted:
- Available widths, depths and heights, and any permitted modifications.
- Door style, finish sample and matching panels or trim.
- Box and drawer materials and construction details.
- Hinges, drawer slides and storage accessories included in the price.
- Assembly, delivery and installation responsibilities.
- Written warranty, exclusions and the process for reporting a problem.
If a proposal describes a certification, check the specific manufacturer or product line rather than assuming the entire category is certified. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s certification information explains its cabinet testing program. This is a reference for evaluating a claim, not a claim that every product offered by Citi Cabinet carries that certification.
Review finishes and everyday use
Browse the cabinet collections and finishes in Citi Cabinet’s shop to narrow your preferences. Ask whether a physical sample of the proposed finish is available. Compare it with the flooring, lighting, wall colors and countertop material you intend to use.
Think through how the kitchen will be used. List the items that need storage, the drawers you use most often and any accessibility requirements you want to discuss. Ask whether the proposed accessories fit the quoted cabinet sizes and whether they are included or priced separately. A photo of a storage feature does not confirm that it is available in every collection.
Coordinate cabinets, appliances and countertops
Provide current manufacturer installation specifications for the appliances you have selected. Have the team check the required openings, ventilation and operating clearances before the cabinet list is finalized.
If you are also choosing countertops, discuss the sink, appliance edges, panels and any planned overhangs together. Ask who is responsible for final site measurements and any fabrication template. Initial homeowner measurements help planning; they do not replace the final checks required by the supplier or installer.
Confirm timing and the complete quote
Ask for a current lead-time estimate for the exact collection, finish and modifications in your proposal. Confirm what the estimate covers and how delivery, assembly and installation are scheduled. Avoid planning disruptive work around an unconfirmed general timeline.
Use our cabinet quote planning guide to review the scope. Check whether the proposal includes fillers, end panels, trim, accessories, shipping, applicable taxes and installation. Ask how changes are approved and priced. A useful comparison uses matching scope rather than just the lowest headline total.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mix stock and custom cabinets?
Discuss this with the designer and suppliers before ordering. Dimensions, door profiles, finishes and hardware may differ between lines. Ask how any visible differences and installation details will be handled; do not assume that two similarly named colors will match.
Will semi-custom cabinets fit walls that are out of square?
The final design and installation plan need to account for the actual room. Ask the professional measuring the kitchen how irregular walls, fillers and panels will be handled. The semi-custom label alone does not establish whether a layout fits.
Do I need new cabinets or can I keep the existing boxes?
Have the condition, layout and desired changes assessed before deciding. Ask what can be retained and which parts of the proposed work require replacement. Confirm whether any refacing or repair service you need is actually available from the provider.
How do I choose a door style?
Compare the current door options, finish samples and proportions in the context of your room. Ask about cleaning, care, hardware compatibility and future replacement parts for the specific product. Keep the final selection tied to an identified collection and finish.
Plan your Atlanta-area cabinet project
Citi Cabinet has a staffed showroom at 1875 Graves Rd in Norcross. Bring your room sketch, photos, appliance information and preferred cabinet styles when discussing your Atlanta-area project. Confirm visit arrangements and current product availability with the team.
Request a cabinet quote and explain your priorities, timing and the questions you need answered. The next step is a clear scope and an agreed cabinet list, not choosing a category before checking the room.
Turn the category label into a modification checklist
For each cabinet line, ask which widths, heights, depths, finishes and internal configurations can actually be changed. Record the answer beside the relevant cabinet on the plan and ask how each change affects the quote and current lead time. A custom label does not eliminate the need for fillers, clearance checks or site review. When combining lines, verify door profiles, finish compatibility and installation details before assuming similarly named colors will match.