When you buy cabinets online, one of the first choices is whether they arrive ready-to-assemble (RTA) — flat-packed boxes you or your installer put together — or pre-assembled from the factory or distributor.
RTA cabinets
- Lower freight cost: flat boxes take less space on the truck, which matters when shipping cross-country.
- Same materials: quality RTA lines can use the same plywood, solid-wood doors and soft-close hardware as assembled lines.
- Labor trade-off: expect assembly time per cabinet, or pay your installer to do it.
Assembled cabinets
- Install-ready on arrival, saving labor time on the jobsite.
- Factory-square boxes with consistent assembly.
- Higher freight volume, so shipping costs can be higher.
Which should you choose?
RTA is a great fit for DIYers, investors managing labor carefully, and projects far from a distribution center. Assembled cabinets suit homeowners hiring a full-service installer who want the fastest install. Among our lines, ROC Cabinetry offers RTA options including inset styles, while Fabuwood, Spring Forest and Trumade give you more pre-assembled choices. We'll price both ways if you're on the fence.