Two ways to buy

Assembled vs unassembled cabinets: which should you buy?

Short answer: assembled cabinets are the premium path. They arrive built, inspected, and ready to install, hand delivered in 2 to 3 weeks. Unassembled (flat-pack) cabinets cost less and can be picked up in as little as 5 days, but you assemble them yourself or pay someone to. At STL Cabinetry both lanes use the same plywood boxes, dovetail drawers, and soft-close hardware; the difference is who assembles them and how fast you get them.

Here is how to choose, and what each path actually involves.

4 min read

The assembled lane (premium)

We receive your order at our Saint Louis shop, assemble every cabinet, inspect it, and hand deliver it in a one-hour window, packed in reusable foam with no debris left behind. Assembled orders take 2 to 3 weeks.

This is the right path for most homeowners. Your installer opens the truck, carries in finished cabinets, and starts setting them the same day. No assembly time, no missing hardware surprises, no boxes to break down.

The unassembled lane (discount)

Unassembled cabinets ship flat-packed. You can pick them up as soon as they land at our shop, often in as little as 5 days, which is the fastest way to get cabinets in hand. You save on the assembly labor and the delivery.

The trade-off is real work. Each cabinet has to be assembled correctly and squarely before it can be installed. This lane suits flippers, contractors, and hands-on homeowners who are comfortable with the build and want the lowest price and the fastest pickup.

Lead time and pickup

We receive every order at our shop within about a week of you placing it. From there the two lanes diverge.

  • Unassembled pickup: grab it as soon as it lands, often within 5 days, usually on a Wednesday.
  • Unassembled delivery: add a few days for us to deliver the flat-packed order.
  • Assembled delivery: 2 to 3 weeks, hand delivered and ready to install.

How to decide

Pick assembled if you want the cabinets finished, inspected, and carried in ready to set, and you value your installer’s time. It is the lower-stress path and what most homeowners choose.

Pick unassembled if price and speed are the priority, you or your crew can assemble accurately, and you are comfortable owning that step. It is the flipper and contractor lane.

Want to see what your kitchen actually costs?

You might be surprised. Request a free quote today.