Home Depot has a process that allows a contractor to be an “approved” service provider: https://www.homedepot.com/services/c/partnership-overview/1dcd27833 It is not hard to get on the list. My experience is that just about any company (no matter how big or small) can get approved No Home Depot employee will inspect the remodel, and unfortunately disputes are not uncommon. And HD is not known for mediating these cases: https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-i-sue-home-depot-for-an-unfinished-repair-to-a-2968227.html I personally have had great experiences with my local approved providers. They were knowledgable, on time, and within budget. Can’t tell you if I am the exception or the rule. Post to subreddits local to your area to see what experiences your neighbors have had. More on reddit.com

I redid my kitchen with ikea and would go with them again. They have a design tool on their website where you can price everything out, add/subtract bells and whistles, and make sure everything fits. IKEA’s cabinets install on a rail system, so if you can hang that level, install should be easy. I paid for install because I didn’t have the time and the wife wanted it quicker. The delivery/pickup process and exchanges for ikea were simultaneously streamlined and annoying. For the same price point, Home Depot is also going to be in the mdf-range of cabinets. There is at least one company that makes ikea-fitting door and drawer fronts (Semi Handmade). They were too expensive for me on the initial kitchen buy, but may be a refresh upgrade for me. Drawers on the bottom (besides sink and corners), cabinets up top. Soft close is nice to have. Think about crown/bottom moulding for upper cabinets during the design phase; I didn’t and regret it. More on reddit.com

They are far too expensive here for what you get. I am surprised they still bother trying at HD, IKEA has crushed most of the competition for reno cabinets More on reddit.com

I've yet to find ANY cabinet maker with reasonable prices (RTA or otherwise) that have better drawers than IKEA. Their drawers and adjustability are amazing.

Other manufacturer relies on 2 screws going through the drawer box and into the face plate, with a few mm adjustment each way and a pain in the ass to assemble in the first place

Additionally, IKEA has super high tolerances on their parts, they WILL fit perfectly if instructions are followed. Their lamination (look at corners and edges) is superior to most RTA cabinets that I've found where the fronts aren't real wood.

I've built 3 IKEA kitchens, I would love to find an RTA supplier with similar quality where I can truly custom order the width of the cabinets, but until I do that I will ALWAYS pick IKEA. Possibly with third party fronts, if IKEAs choices aren't to my liking.

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