The price gap is real but it's not as large as most people think once you factor in what flat-pack doesn't include.
| Cost factor | Flat-pack | Custom cabinet maker |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet supply (medium kitchen) | $3,500 – $8,000 | $10,000 – $22,000 |
| Professional installation | $2,500 – $5,500 (extra) | Usually included |
| Design service | Free (in-store) or basic | Included, often detailed |
| Modifications for irregular walls | Filler strips required, extra cost | Built to fit, included |
| Board quality | Standard particleboard | MR board or plywood |
| Total realistic cost (medium kitchen) | $8,000 – $15,000 | $12,000 – $24,000 |
The advertised price of flat-pack kitchen systems covers the cabinet boxes, doors and hardware in standard sizes. What's often not included: installation labour, delivery, end panels, filler strips, kick boards, ceiling-height filler, any non-standard modifications, and — critically — the cost of a kitchen that doesn't quite fit because standard sizes don't match your wall dimensions.
Most Australian kitchens don't have walls that measure out in exact multiples of flat-pack panel widths. Filler strips and panels are required to bridge the gaps. These can look neat when done well but add cost and rely on the installer's skill to look finished.
Flat-pack is a reasonable choice when your kitchen is a simple layout (galley or L-shape with few angles), your budget is tight, you're willing to manage separate installation, and long-term durability isn't the primary concern — for example, in a rental property or a home you plan to sell within 5–7 years.
A custom cabinet maker makes more sense when your kitchen has irregular dimensions or angles, you want a specific material or finish not available in flat-pack, the kitchen is a long-term investment in a home you'll keep, or you want a single point of accountability for design, manufacture, delivery and installation.
Yes, and many homeowners do. The saving is real — $2,500–5,500 in avoided installation labour. The requirement is patience, access to decent tools, and the ability to handle wall fixing, levelling, and plumbing reconnection. Most flat-pack suppliers offer installation instructions and some offer installation teams. The DIY approach works well for simple layouts and less well for complex configurations.
IKEA's SEKTION system uses a solid aluminium rail mounting system rather than direct wall fixing, which is actually quite robust. The cabinet boxes are reasonable quality for a flat-pack product. The doors are the most variable element — basic doors are clearly budget, but third-party door suppliers offer IKEA-compatible doors in much better materials. For a secondary kitchen or rental, IKEA is a practical choice.
A well-installed, well-finished flat-pack kitchen doesn't obviously read as flat-pack to a buyer. The main risk is wear — if the cabinet boxes or doors are showing significant wear by the time you sell, buyers will notice. A custom kitchen in good condition will generally present better, but a mediocre custom kitchen won't necessarily beat a great flat-pack fitout.
Whether flat-pack or custom, compare quotes from local installers and cabinet makers.
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