Depending on materials, design, and size specification, you could say an average-sized bespoke Salcey Cabinet Maker’s kitchen typically costs around £30,000 and can scale upwards. Not including worktops/appliances/ vat.
Be aware that some companies deliberately quote as cheaply as possible to win the commission. These quotations may be based on an impractical design or exclude essential items such as hardware and mechanisms, resulting in additional costs once the project is underway. You should never feel that you have a time constraint to invest in a bespoke option either, so don’t be pressured into making decisions.
Lead times depend on demand and the time of year, but it is customary to wait longer for a bespoke option as it is being made specifically for you, therefore requiring more time for the design, planning, making and installation process.
Yes. Upgrading to a bespoke option would increase value and appeal. A well-made bespoke kitchen can add at least 10% to your property’s overall value as well as the wow factor, making it easier to sell too.
We have been asked back to past kitchens from over 15 years ago where new owners want to change the colour or accommodate their own appliances, and we have been able to do so because of the long-standing quality. Salcey Cabinet Makers guarantee all their cabinetry for life, so it’s a true investment.
‘Custom’ often refers to modifying standard, set ranges to fit into a space. ‘Bespoke’ means the cabinetry is built from design for each client, without being restricted by set ranges/sizes or materials, so every mm is utilised, and the design is the best it can be. Salcey Cabinet Makers do not use infills and you won’t end up with any useless cabinets.
True bespoke services allow for changes well into the process. Companies that offer set ranges will commit you to a rigid contract. Salcey believes that the design is just as important as how well it’s made, so we accommodate changes right up until the week before machining.
We build all of our cabinetry using traditional in-frame cabinet-making techniques, combining time-honoured craftsmanship with the highest-quality materials. Every piece features concealed magnetic catches, solid brass butt hinges, and solid timber dovetailed drawers with guaranteed Blum drawer runners.
We take great care in hand-selecting the timbers we use and can source virtually any to suit your preferences. The cabinet carcass may be hidden from view, but it is the foundation of every piece and plays a vital role in its strength, longevity, and performance.
For painted furniture, we typically use a combination of solid tulipwood and moisture-resistant MDF for the centre door panels. This provides the stability needed for a flawless painted finish, helping to prevent the movement and shrinkage that can cause joints and panel lines to appear over time. All structural areas, including those supporting screws, hinges, and fittings, are constructed from solid timber to ensure lasting strength and durability.
Bespoke Cabinet Makers such as Salcey are not bound by standard ranges or materials.
You can have anything, some clients like to blend different elements that they love, which also highlights the bespoke option.
We can match to any existing cabinetry too, this is particularly helpful for adhering to the rules for listed properties.
We carefully select the finest timbers and handcraft all of our solid wood veneer work. We offer a full range of finishes, including beautifully hand-painted options using premium brands such as Farrow & Ball, Skuff X by Benjamin More, and Little Greene and an expert colour-matching service.
To complete every piece we are commissioned to, we use only the highest-quality hardware, including Blum soft-closing drawer runners, for exceptional performance and durability.
We use only traditional cabinet-making methods. In-frame construction, so doors for example are mortice-and-tenon joined and planed skilfully to fit within the frame and dovetail drawers are a must. Proper cabinet-making methods are slower and more expensive to produce, which is why mass-produced kitchens won’t include these qualities. If a maker can talk easily about how the carcasses are jointed and how the doors are hung, you are usually in the right hands. If they can’t, it is worth asking why.
You can specify anything with a genuine bespoke option. We can always try to overcome any awkward space and can make anything specific to the client’s requirements.
A good bespoke company will draw and redraw, suggest alternatives and listen to how you use the room or piece of furniture to achieve the best design outcome.
Having the freedom of design choice and exploration should be part of the bespoke experience, allowing the client to have as much input as they want is important.
At Salcey Cabinet Makers, all our designs are hand-drawn to emphasise the fact that we are offering a genuine bespoke service and not restricted in any way.
Firstly, the cabinets are built to exact dimensions to a design that utilises your measurements, so no fixed ranges, only use premium materials, and never sized from a catalogue of standard models. Ask what the carcass material is, how the doors are jointed, and whether the paint is hand-applied. Genuine handmade kitchens are made one at a time by named cabinetmakers, and the company will be able to tell you who is building yours.
Proposals should include all cabinetry, design, hardware, mechanisms, finish, delivery and installation. Worktops are priced separately. Additional extras, such as appliances, electrical work, lighting, and plumbing, will be charged separately and costed accordingly.
The most revealing question is “where is the kitchen actually made, and can I visit?” A genuine cabinet maker can invite you to the workshop. A reseller will usually deflect this question. Salcey Cabinet Makers craft everything at our own workshop in Northamptonshire, and clients are welcome to come and see their projects at any stage.
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