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What Is an RTA Cabinet? Everything You Need To Know Before Your Kitchen Remodel

By: Andrew Saladino | 5 min

Man reading instructions for RTA cabinet.

Looking for ways to save money on your next kitchen remodel without settling for low-grade materials or outdated styles? If you don't mind putting in a bit of elbow grease, ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets are a great way to cut costs and still get the kitchen you've always wanted.

What Are Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets?

Ready-to-assemble cabinets are cabinets that are shipped in kits and assembled on-site.

Ready-to-assemble cabinets arrive in kits - often called "flat packs" - that contain all the materials and hardware necessary for the homeowner to assemble the cabinets on-site. Rather than hiring a cabinetmaker to fill a custom order, homeowners can take their own cabinet measurements and purchase RTA cabinets online.

There are thousands of RTA cabinet styles available, from solid wood shaker cabinets to modern frameless designs. RTA cabinets are the least expensive cabinet option compared to assembled, semi-stock, or custom cabinets, but that doesn't mean they're worse quality. Because homeowners are opting to do the assembly themselves, they are saving money on labor, not because they're choosing cheaper materials.

In addition to being the most cost-efficient option, there are more benefits and drawbacks to consider before placing your RTA cabinet order:

Pros of RTA Cabinets:

  • Cost-efficient: Because you're assembling the cabinet yourself, you'll save an average of 15% compared to assembled cabinets.
  • Easy to assemble: You don't have to be an experienced carpenter to piece together an RTA cabinet. Simple step-by-step instructions, pre-drilled holes, and excellent customer service reps will have you building cabinets like a pro in no time.
  • Quicker and cheaper shipping: Because the manufacturer won't need to assemble your cabinets prior to shipping, you'll cut up to a week's worth of your shipping time compared to pre-assembled cabinets. Plus, RTA cabinets are shipped in flat boxes, which cost a lot less to deliver.
  • Quality construction: While you often get what you pay for, this doesn't always apply to RTA cabinets. You can find quality cabinets with soft close drawers and solid wood dovetail joints ready to assemble.

Cons of RTA Cabinets:

  • Unforeseen expenses: You're responsible for repairing any damage that occurs during assembly, so make sure you read the instructions!
  • Longer assembly: Compared to cabinets that arrive already assembled, you may need to set a day or two aside to piece your RTA cabinets together. One cabinet takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete, so plan accordingly.
  • No warranties or guarantees: Since RTA cabinets are not put together by professionals with industrial-grade tools, it may be difficult to get all your money back if you have serious problems with the cabinets post-installation.
Click here to shop ready to assemble cabinets from Kitchen Cabinet Kings.

What Is the Average Cost of RTA Cabinets?

The cost of RTA cabinets can range from $1,200 to $4,400 for a basic 10x10 L-shaped kitchen (about 12 cabinets). Pre-assembled cabinets can cost between $300 to $1,000 more. For example, our Ice White Shaker RTA cabinets average $2,169 for a 10'x10' kitchen, while their pre-assembled counterpart average $2,682.

RTA Cabinets vs. Pre-Assembled Cabinets

RTA Cabinets Pre-Assembled Cabinets
Must be assembled on-site Arrive ready to install
Fast shipping Longer shipping time
Flat packs cost less to ship More expensive to ship
Save money on labor costs Save time on installation

Simply put, RTA cabinets are shipped to your home in kits for you to assemble on-site, while pre-assembled cabinets arrive completely functional and ready to install. Ready-to-assemble cabinets will save you money on shipping and labor, while pre-assembled cabinets will save you time on labor and installation.

Why Are RTA Cabinets Cheaper Than Assembled Cabinets?

RTA cabinets are cheaper than assembled cabinets because homeowners opt to assemble the cabinets themselves, cutting labor costs. Flat-packed cabinets are also cheaper to ship compared to assembled cabinets.

Types of Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets

Like assembled and semi-stock cabinets, ready-to-assemble cabinets come in a wide variety of styles, materials, colors, and finishes to suit any home project and budget. However, there are three specific types of RTA cabinets based on the assembly required: dovetail, metal plate, and cam lock.

The three RTA cabinet assembly types are dovetail, metal plate, and cam lock assembly.

Dovetail Assembly

Dovetail assembly is the strongest type of joinery available - which is why it's the only style of RTA cabinet drawer we offer. Dovetail-assembled cabinets use interlocking fan-shaped joints to hold the drawer together, providing superior support and preventing separation over time. While dovetail joints are typically more expensive to manufacture than metal plate or cam lock assembled cabinets, in 10 years they'll be just as durable as they were the day you installed them.

Metal Plate Assembly

Our RTA base and wall cabinets are assembled using a locking metal plate system, in which the plates are fixed over the matching L-bracket assembly and attached with screws that are fitted into the pre-drilled holes for superior support. Metal plates are installed on the inside of the cabinet, so there isn't any distracting hardware to take away from the beauty of your new cabinets.

Cam Lock Assembly

Cam locks are cylindrical fasteners that allow you to easily and quickly assemble your cabinets by simply locking the keyed bolt and tongue bar into place. Because they're easy and cheap to produce, cam locks are often the joint of choice for mass-produced furniture offered by big-box stores like Ikea or Home Depot. It's easy to jeopardize the integrity of your cabinets if screws aren't inserted straight (especially prevalent with particle board cabinets), not to mention the visible hardware is unattractive.

What To Consider Before Buying

Ready-to-assemble cabinets are a great choice for homeowners on a budget, but they're not for everyone. Before placing your RTA cabinet order, consider the following factors.

Quality

As we mentioned, RTA cabinets can be just as high quality as assembled or even custom cabinets. They come in a variety of materials - from solid wood to particle board -but be wary of lower-grade cabinets. If you don't plan on using your kitchen very much, you may be able to get away with flimsy cabinets held together with glue and screws for a while, but don't be surprised in five years when you need to replace your cabinets again.

Investing in high-quality RTA cabinets may cost more initially, but they'll hold their own against the bumps, dings, spills, and bangs you can expect in a kitchen.

Timeline

If you're on a tight deadline and don't mind putting in a bit of work yourself, RTA cabinets can buy you up to a week's worth of remodeling time. While you will have to set a few hours aside to assemble your cabinets once they arrive, it's much faster than waiting for pre-assembled cabinets to be put together and shipped.

Assembly

If you can use a screwdriver, you can probably assemble an RTA cabinet on your own. The manufacturer will provide almost everything you need to piece together your new cabinets (keep that screwdriver handy), including pre-drilled holes so you can simply plug and play - no heavy machinery required. And if you have additional questions, most manufacturers have customer service reps on call to walk you through it.

Cost

New kitchen cabinets typically makeup 40% of a kitchen remodeling budget. If keeping costs low is a priority for you, ready-to-assemble cabinets are your best option. You'll be able to save money without sacrificing the quality or style of your cabinets, so you can get the look you want for less.

If you’re ready to start shopping for your new cabinets, our NKBA-certified design team is available to help you choose a kitchen layout and cabinet style that fits your space perfectly.

RTA Cabinet FAQs

Still on the fence about choosing RTA cabinets for your kitchen remodel? We answered some of the most frequently asked questions below to help you decide.

Are RTA cabinets good quality?

There's a common misconception that ready-to-assemble cabinets aren't as high quality as pre-assembled cabinets, but RTA cabinets are just as good. While there are poorly constructed cabinets out there, a good-quality RTA cabinet uses the same material, hardware, and design as its pre-assembled counterpart - the only difference is who's assembling it.

How long does it take to assemble an RTA kitchen cabinet?

It should take 10 to 20 minutes to easily assemble one of our RTA kitchen cabinets. That's about two to four hours for an average 10x10 kitchen.

If you're ready to start shopping for your new kitchen cabinets, check out our selection of high-quality RTA cabinets. We have styles ranging from classic white shakers to trendy navy blue cabinets, so you can find one that perfectly suits your design.

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