Pros and Cons of Ordering Finished Cabinet Doors

Explore the pros and cons of ordering finished cabinet doors. Learn how they can save time, reduce costs, and impact quality and lead times.

A bank of cabinets with white finished cabinet doors and black hardware.
Image provided by Caliber Cabinet Solutions, customer

Are you thinking about ordering finished cabinet doors instead of raw ones? You might wonder: will the supplier’s quality meet my standards? What happens if there are delays or issues? Is outsourcing worth the cost? 

These are valid questions, and switching to finished doors can feel overwhelming. At Cutting Edge, we’ve spent over 20 years producing high-quality finished doors. We know how to address these challenges – but we also know that ordering finished doors isn’t always the right choice.

In this article, you’ll discover:

Let’s dive in to help you make an informed decision.

Pros of Ordering Finished Cabinet Doors

It’s important to weigh both the benefits and disadvantages to clarify the correct choice. First, let’s explore the key advantages of outsourcing this critical step.

Reduces Your Labour

Ordering finished cabinet doors saves your team time. Finishing doors in-house takes hours – from prep to finishing to dry time. Outsourcing eliminates this workload and reduces errors that can lead to costly rework.

This streamlined approach can be a game-changer for small teams with a heavy workload.

Key Takeaways:

  • Frees your team for other tasks.
  • Lowers the risk of in-house mistakes.
A rack of finished cabinet doors. Finished doors must dry fully between each coat, adding time.

Reduces Your Expenses

Setting up a spray booth costs thousands of dollars and takes time. Your finishing booth requires ventilation, equipment, and safety protocols.

Cost Breakdown:

  • Spray Booth Setup: Thousands of dollars upfront.
  • Ongoing Costs: Maintenance, safety compliance, and training.

In comparison, outsourcing finished doors offer a predictable, manageable cost per door. If you don’t have the infrastructure for finishing, outsourcing can save you money and stress.

Key Takeaways:

  • Avoid the upfront cost of setting up a spray booth.
  • No ongoing maintenance and safety concerns.

Reduces Your Need for Skilled Labourers

Finishing doors is a specialized skill that takes time to master. Skilled finishers are expensive and hard to find. In comparison, outsourcing gets you professional results without hiring or training staff.

Key Takeaways:

  • No need to find or train skilled workers.
  • Ensures high-quality, consistent finishes.
A Cutting Edge employee putting the final coat on a black painted cabinet door. Finishers who can produce consistent finished cabinet doors are costly.

Ensures High-Quality Results

Reliable suppliers, like Cutting Edge, follow strict quality control measures. This ensures consistency and access to specialized finishes that are difficult to achieve in-house.

Key Takeaways:

  • Consistent, professional finishes.
  • Access to premium finish options.

Cons of Ordering Finished Cabinet Doors

While ordering finished doors offers many advantages, it’s not without challenges. Understanding the potential drawbacks can help you make a well-informed decision.

Reduces Your Control Over Quality

When outsourcing, you rely on your supplier to meet your quality standards. If they fall short, it can harm your reputation. Vetting suppliers and requesting samples can help, but you’ll always have less oversight.

Key Takeaways:

  • Limited control over the final product.
  • Risk of unmet expectations.

Reduces Your Control Over Lead Time

When you finish doors in-house, you control production schedules. Outsourcing shifts this control to the supplier, making you vulnerable to delays that affect project deadlines.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lead times depend on the supplier.
  • Delays can hurt your reputation.

Extends the Lead Time

Finished doors take longer to produce because of additional processing. At Cutting Edge, this adds four weeks or more, depending on the complexity of the finish.

Key Takeaways:

  • Longer production timelines.
  • Requires careful project planning.

Can Be More Expensive Over Time

Outsourcing is cost-effective for small-scale operations, but high-volume businesses may save more by setting up a spray booth. The long-term costs of outsourcing can outweigh the initial setup costs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Costs can add up with high volumes.
  • Consider in-house finishing for scalability.

Now that you understand both sides of the question, how can you tell whether finished cabinet doors are the right choice?

Who Should Order Finished Cabinet Doors and Who Shouldn’t?

Deciding whether to order finished cabinet doors isn’t always straightforward. Every business has unique circumstances, and what works well for one may not suit another. Below, we’ve outlined scenarios to help you determine if finished cabinet doors are the right choice for your operation.

You Should Order Finished Doors If…

So what may indicate that ordering finished doors is the right choice for you? 

  • You are a small business that can’t afford the upfront cost of a spray booth. Small businesses often lack the budget for expensive spray booths. Outsourcing lets you skip the high upfront cost and use your resources elsewhere.
  • You are located in a rural area with limited access to finishing services. If local finishing services aren’t available, outsourcing ensures you still get high-quality, finished doors without added logistical challenges.
  • Skilled labour is difficult to find in your area. Skilled finishers are expensive and hard to hire. By outsourcing, you gain access to professional results without the hassle of recruiting and training.
  • You’re new to the industry and need to focus on other priorities. Starting can be overwhelming. Outsourcing finishing lets you focus on building your business and client base without worrying about mastering this complex process.

You Shouldn’t Order Finished Cabinet Doors If…

Despite how convenient ordering finished doors may be, you should consider other options if you are familiar with any of the following scenarios.

  • You prioritize total control over quality. If you demand full control over product quality, outsourcing may not be ideal. Suppliers may not always meet your high standards.
  • You previously finished your cabinet doors and can’t find a supplier to match your standards. If you have experience producing finished doors and can’t find a supplier who matches your quality, outsourcing may lead to dissatisfaction.
  • You’ll order at least one kitchen per month. For businesses producing high volumes, the cumulative cost of outsourcing can exceed the expense of setting up an in-house spray booth.
  • You run tight schedules and can’t risk extended lead times. If you frequently have tight deadlines, the additional lead time of outsourcing can disrupt your schedule and harm client relationships.

Price Out Finished Cabinet Doors Online

Ordering finished cabinet doors can be a practical choice for many businesses, offering time and cost savings while ensuring high-quality results. However, it also comes with trade-offs, including less control over quality and extended lead times.

At the end of the day, your decision should align with your business needs, priorities, and growth goals. If you’re ready to explore how Cutting Edge can help streamline your workflow with finished cabinet doors, discover how much finished cabinet doors from Cutting Edge cost.

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