Gomer

I'm getting a custom open top tank soon. Plan on using a hanging Tek Light setup

I also am looking at a custom stand to go with it. I have invested this much money so far...not going to skimp on a cheap pine or particle board stand from petsmart LOL.

Below is a rendering to give an idea of what I am after (visual aids are a must when you want another to build something for you ). For the stand and accompanying shelf (can suspend the lights from it as well has have some plants and store my ADA ferts there )

Does the prices seam reasonable to you? I have seen some of the builders work and it is nice...just haven't priced out custom stuff before.

dimensions are ~ 38x17x30.

Walnut: $500
Mohagany: $450
Maple: $400

Thanks!

dennis

Very reasonable. Suprisingly so actually fo rtruely custom stuff. Is the person do custom kitchens and/or baths by chance. They are really the only person able to to it for a price like that profitably. Lets say the company I work for gets 60$ an hour, by the time you take materials cost out, they are making it in about 5 hours or less. Theyare either very efficient or you are getting a good deal. If I were making htat on my own, I would charge about 25-30 an hour, but it would be a side job and not my lively hood, and I would have no overhead. I woudl still charge as much as them, probably more. I cannot of course comment on the quality of the work. If you really want to discuss more Gomer, contact me off list No, I'm not trying to sell my own stuff, just it can be hard to get all the details in forums

pineapple

About par for the course, for ordinary. Good if it is top quality. Cabinets do cost money. The materials are what count. Is this birch plywood? Does it include delivery?

Andrew Cribb

jcolletteiii

If you are looking for solid wood, no ply at all, those prices are low, unless you want a hobbiest building it in his basement. Finishing is where the time is, and a good finish takes alot of it. I am a carpenter. Built my cabinet out of poplar and 3/4 birch ply. Birch and clear poplar (stay away from the green colored stuff) will look just like any of the woods that you mentioned, and many more. I finished mine in cherry. You would have to have a piece of cherry side by side to tell the difference, and even then you may not be able to tell.

I guess my only point is dont be averse to ply. It is stronger than solid wood, and it will save you money. Oh, by the way, is the door on your cabinet raised pannel, slab, or glass? A raised pannel door is ALOT of work. That'll add to the total cost.

What about the ADA style grey cabinets? How much are those?

MatPat

I worked in a Custom Kitchen Cabinet Shop and the prices seem about right assuming a $60 an hour shop rate as Dennis mentioned:

Full sheet of Plywood - $40(maple) - $100?(Walnut)
Hour of Labor to cut the plywood - $60
Edging for plywood $5-10 (depends on the type of wood and thickness)
1 hour to prepare and apply plywood edging (by hand) - $60
2 hours to assemble - $120
1 Hour to apply finish - $60

Now, if you add in the price of door hinges and pulls or knobs, and any other miscellaneous hardware (screws etc etc) that may be needed, you can see the price is about right. The price of plywood can vary a bit by shop, depending on the volume they use, and also the area of the country you are in.

Like Dennis, I usually only charged 1/2 of the hourly shop rate when I made cabinets for people (side jobs). However, I worked at a great place who didn't mind letting me use their space, tools, and utilities for my personal gain and profit. Not all shops are that nice to their employees.

MatPat

Just looked at the prevoius post and forgot about the doors Like Jcolletteiii mentioned, the doors would take considerable time to do unless they are a flat panel plywood. You could add another hour for flat panel doors, which seem in keeping with the style of the cabinet, and probably a bit more to add edging around all four sides of the doors. Still, a pretty good deal, at least from my "professional" experience.

If were doing this as a hobbiest, without a full-blown woodshop, it would take me much longer than the times I listed.

Gomer

Thanks guys

I'm going for solid panels instead of raised panels. ..makes for a less distracting look. I have made them before..and would build my own stand, but simply don't have the time anymore LOL. The doors will have hidden hinges. As for delivery, it is only $30 only charged for gas and lunch! can't beat that!!!

dennis

Well, if delivery is gas and lunch I am guessing youa re dealing with a solo person, working on the side or just starting up Been there, done that That price definately seems very reasonable, neither to high or to low. Post some pics when you get it set up. Also, I really like the idea of using a shelf as the suspension point far hanging the lights. Who came up with that one. I like it alot!

jcolletteiii

Have you bought ply lately? You cant get a sheet of 11/16 cabinet grade birch for less than $45 bucks or so. I cant recall ever seeing maple ply for less than $70 a sheet, even before ply prices skyrocketed when the US govt bought up half the inventory to rebuild iraq.

What I spent on my project:

$45.00 11/16" birch ply
$80.00 3/4" poplar, mouldings
$~20.00 poly, stain

$145.00 total so far.

I have yet to build doors, though. I am going with glass, so a bit more poplar, and 2 glass panels - probably another $60-75.

The time involved is a significant factor, though. I estimate that it probably took me about 8-10 hours in my basement shop, which is pretty well set up. Probably 3 hours was finishing. Always take your time finishing. The devil is in the details.

gnatster

As much as I would live to say I thought of it, there is no way I can and keep a straight face. However I hung mine from a shelf