If you are comparing kitchen cabinets, you will see two words again and again: ready-to-assemble (RTA) and assembled. They describe how the cabinet reaches you, not how good it is. This guide explains the difference in plain terms, so you can decide which one fits your project.
What RTA means
RTA means the cabinet ships flat or in parts, and the boxes are put together after delivery. We supply RTA cabinets and we do not assemble them ourselves. Many homeowners put them together with basic tools, and a local handyman can do it for you if you prefer.
The cabinet itself is the same product either way. Our shaker kitchen lines use a 1/2 inch cabinet-grade plywood box with a UV-coated interior, and solid-wood drawer boxes with dovetail joints; the frameless line uses a 3/4 inch plywood box and drawer boxes in white melamine. Whether it arrives in parts or built, those are the materials you get.
What "assembled" means
An assembled cabinet is put together before it ships. That saves you the assembly hours, but it travels as a bulky box, so freight is harder to handle and damage in transit is more likely to be noticed only on delivery. It is a convenience, not a quality grade.
How to choose
- Choose RTA when you want the cabinet to arrive in compact, easier-to-move packages, when you or your installer are comfortable with a few hours of assembly per cabinet, or when the delivery route has stairs or tight corners.
- Choose assembled when installation time is the main constraint and you have the space and the people to receive large boxes.
Plan before you order
The best way to avoid surprises is to plan the whole room first. Measure your kitchen wall by wall, note windows, doors and appliances, and then choose the door style and finish from our door styles and finishes. If you would rather not do the layout alone, send us the sizes and a photo and we will help you design it.
Delivery and warranty
Lead time is about 7 days. Shipping within the US then takes 3 to 7 days, depending on your location. For custom work we confirm the production time when the order is placed. From our policies: "We offer a 1-year limited warranty to the original purchaser, covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship under normal residential use. The warranty is non-transferable." and "We will repair or replace the affected part at our discretion." Full terms: thelocalcabinetry.com/policies#warranty.
The short version
RTA and assembled cabinets are the same product at different stages. RTA is easier to ship and handle; assembled saves the assembly time. The standard price list is the same for everyone, and design help is free. When you are ready, start your design and we will take it from there.
