When planning a kitchen remodel, cabinetry represents one of the most significant investments—both financially and aesthetically. The cabinets you choose will define your kitchen’s style, functionality, and value for decades to come. Understanding the differences between stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinetry helps Durham homeowners make informed decisions that align with their budget, timeline, and design vision.
As an authorized dealer for Bishop Cabinets and Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry, Prince & Sons brings expertise in helping clients navigate these options and select the perfect cabinetry solution for their unique needs.
Stock Cabinets are pre-manufactured in standard sizes and sold ready-made through big-box retailers. While budget-friendly, stock cabinets offer limited customization. You’re restricted to available sizes, finishes, and configurations, which can create challenges in fitting your specific kitchen dimensions or achieving your desired aesthetic.
Semi-Custom Cabinets strike a balance between affordability and personalization. Built to order with numerous options for sizes, door styles, finishes, and interior configurations, this category offers significantly more flexibility than stock options while remaining more accessible than fully custom solutions.
Custom Cabinets are built specifically for your space with virtually unlimited design possibilities. Every element—from dimensions and materials to finishes and hardware—is tailored to your specifications, representing the premium tier of kitchen cabinetry.
Prince & Sons proudly partners with Bishop Cabinets, a family-owned manufacturer celebrating over 60 years of American craftsmanship. Based in Montgomery, Alabama, Bishop has built its reputation on making custom-quality cabinetry accessible at semi-custom pricing.
What sets Bishop Cabinets apart is their made-to-order approach. Unlike many manufacturers who import pre-made cabinets, Bishop builds every cabinet specifically for each project using high-grade wood materials. Their semi-custom line offers both framed and frameless construction, providing design flexibility for traditional and contemporary kitchens alike.
Bishop’s customization capabilities extend beyond typical semi-custom offerings. They provide custom door styles, custom color matching, and even one-off custom cabinetry pieces when standard configurations won’t suffice. This flexibility allows Prince & Sons to deliver solutions that look custom while maintaining more moderate pricing.
The quality is exceptional—Bishop uses all-plywood construction, which provides superior durability compared to particleboard alternatives found in many stock cabinets. Their cabinets undergo rigorous testing by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, ensuring they meet the highest industry standards for both durability and quality.
For Durham homeowners seeking excellent value, Bishop Cabinets offers competitive pricing while delivering superior construction and significantly more design flexibility than many big-box retailer options.
For clients seeking the ultimate in customization and craftsmanship, Prince & Sons offers Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry. Founded in 1968, Plain & Fancy represents American handcrafted cabinetry at its finest.
Plain & Fancy’s approach is fundamentally different from mass production. Each cabinet is handmade in their Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania facility, where skilled craftspeople apply hand-rubbed stains and glazes to create depth and character impossible to achieve through automated processes. This attention to detail creates cabinetry that serves as furniture-grade pieces, not just storage solutions.
The customization possibilities are virtually limitless. Plain & Fancy offers an extensive selection of door styles from timeless traditional designs to sleek modern aesthetics. Their finish options include countless stain colors, paint colors, glazes, and specialty finishes—all hand-applied and inspected before leaving the facility. If you can envision it, Plain & Fancy can likely create it.
Beyond kitchens, Plain & Fancy crafts custom cabinetry for bathrooms, home offices, libraries, entertainment centers, and any space requiring beautiful, functional storage. This capability allows Prince & Sons clients to create a cohesive design throughout their entire home.
Plain & Fancy’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship ensures their quality doesn’t come at the planet’s expense. They use the finest grade raw materials and employ cutting-edge finishing technology while maintaining eco-friendly practices.
While custom and semi-custom cabinetry requires greater upfront investment than stock options, the return on investment—both financial and functional—makes it worthwhile for most Durham homeowners.
Increased Home Value: Real estate professionals consistently note that high-quality kitchens command premium prices. Buyers recognize superior craftsmanship and are willing to pay more for homes featuring custom or semi-custom cabinetry. Kitchens with quality cabinetry can recoup 60-80% of their cost at resale, with some luxury renovations exceeding that range.
Perfect Fit, No Compromises: Custom and semi-custom cabinets maximize every inch of your kitchen. Rather than working around standard sizes that leave awkward gaps or wasted space, made-to-order cabinetry fits your exact dimensions. This precision creates a polished, professional appearance while maximizing storage capacity.
Durability and Longevity: Quality construction using solid wood and plywood holds up dramatically better than particleboard alternatives. While stock cabinets may need replacement in 10-15 years, well-made custom or semi-custom cabinets can last 30-50 years or more with proper care. This longevity makes the cost-per-year of ownership highly competitive.
Personalized Functionality: Stock cabinets force you to adapt your lifestyle to their limitations. Custom options adapt to your lifestyle. Whether you need specialized storage for a stand mixer, pull-out spice racks, integrated waste bins, or custom pantry solutions, made-to-order cabinetry accommodates your specific needs.
Timeless Design: Trend-resistant, quality cabinetry maintains its appeal for decades. The craftsmanship evident in hand-finished custom pieces gives kitchens a timeless elegance that transcends passing fads.
Selecting between stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinetry depends on several factors:
Budget Considerations: If budget is your primary concern, Bishop Cabinets’ semi-custom line delivers exceptional quality at competitive pricing. For clients who view their kitchen as a long-term investment and prioritize absolute customization, Plain & Fancy provides unmatched artisan quality.
Timeline Requirements: Stock cabinets are available immediately, semi-custom typically requires 6-8 weeks, and full custom can take 10-14 weeks. Prince & Sons helps clients plan timelines to ensure your project progresses smoothly.
Design Complexity: Standard kitchen layouts may work well with stock or semi-custom options. Kitchens with unusual dimensions, architectural challenges, or highly specific aesthetic visions benefit tremendously from custom capabilities.
Long-Term Plans: If you’re planning to stay in your home for many years, investing in superior cabinetry pays dividends through daily enjoyment and lasting durability. If you’re preparing to sell within a few years, mid-range options may provide sufficient appeal to buyers.
As an authorized dealer for both Bishop Cabinets and Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry, Prince & Sons brings unique advantages to Durham homeowners:
Expert Guidance: Our team understands the nuances of both product lines and can recommend the optimal solution based on your specific project requirements, aesthetic preferences, and budget parameters.
Design Collaboration: We work closely with you to design cabinetry that maximizes both beauty and functionality. Our experience with these manufacturers means we know what’s possible and how to achieve your vision efficiently.
Quality Installation: Even the finest cabinetry performs poorly if improperly installed. Prince & Sons’ licensed professionals ensure precise installation that honors the quality of these products.
Comprehensive Service: From initial consultation through final installation, we manage every aspect of your cabinetry project. This single-source accountability ensures smooth coordination and exceptional results.
Local Accountability: As a Durham-based contractor, our reputation depends on your satisfaction. We stand behind every project and remain available long after installation for any questions or concerns.
The cabinetry you choose fundamentally shapes your kitchen’s functionality, aesthetic appeal, and value. While stock cabinets serve certain purposes, the enhanced quality, customization, and longevity of semi-custom and custom options typically provide superior value over time.
Whether you choose Bishop Cabinets’ excellent semi-custom craftsmanship or Plain & Fancy’s artisan custom work, Prince & Sons ensures you receive cabinetry that exceeds expectations and serves your family beautifully for decades to come.
Ready to explore cabinetry options for your Durham kitchen remodel? Contact Prince & Sons today to discuss how Bishop Cabinets or Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry can transform your space into the kitchen of your dreams.
Prince & Sons is proud to be an authorized dealer for Bishop Cabinets and Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry, bringing over 100 years of combined manufacturing excellence to Durham homeowners.