How we compare prices
Comparing flatpack prices is hard. And time-consuming. "Which brand is cheapest?" comes up in renovation forums time and time again. So I took on the job of comparing the brands side by side, using components that are as similar as possible. Here's how I did it.
Why I don't compare shelf prices
Every brand packages its cabinets differently. A Flatpax cupboard comes with its doors, hinges and handle in the box. A Kaboodle cabinet is just the cabinet: the doors, hinges and drawer runners are all bought separately. IKEA sells its cabinets as sets with the door and hinges included, but the legs and the rail they hang on are extra.
So comparing one cabinet's shelf price with another tells you very little. Instead, I price whole rooms. How much does a flatpack kitchen cost?
The rooms I price
Every brand is priced for the same standard designs:
| Room | Sizes priced | Shown first |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Galley, L-shape, U-shape | L-shape |
| Laundry | Basic, bigger | Basic |
| Wardrobe | 2m built-in with sliding doors, walk-in | 2m built-in |
Each design has the same cabinets in the same order for every brand, down to the number of drawers. The comparison tool shows what each size includes when you switch between them.
The rules every quote follows
- Each brand's entry-level range, with plain white doors
- Standard 600mm cabinets and each brand's standard heights, with no custom sizes
- Basic corner cabinets, with no pull-out corner systems
- A laminate benchtop and the cheapest standard handles
- Everything you need to finish the job, even when it's sold separately: hinges, drawer runners, legs, end panels and kickboards
- Regular prices, not sale prices
- Delivery to a Melbourne postcode
Not included: appliances, sinks, taps, splashbacks, installation, plumbing and electrical work. These cost about the same whichever brand you choose.
When a brand doesn't have an exact match
Not every brand makes every cabinet. When a brand doesn't have the part in the design, I use its closest standard product and note it. For example:
- Flatpax Utility has no corner wall cupboard, so its quote uses a standard wall cupboard.
- Flatpax Utility doesn't make benchtops, so its quote uses Kaboodle's, which Flatpax recommends.
- Each brand's over-fridge cupboard is its own standard size, so the heights differ slightly.
These swaps keep the comparison fair without pretending the brands are identical.
How prices are shown
- Prices include delivery and are rounded to the nearest $50.
- Every price shows the month it was quoted.
- Quote on request: the brand doesn't publish prices online and a staff member has to prepare a quote. It's a next step, not a gap in the brand's range.
- Not offered: the brand doesn't make that size or type, like a walk-in wardrobe.
Keeping prices up to date
Prices change, so I re-quote every brand using the same item lists and update the site. Every quote is saved with its date and item list, so the next round is priced on exactly the same basis.
For how the site stays independent and how affiliate links work, see About Compare Flatpacks.
See the prices
Compare every brand side by side, at every size, in the comparison tool.
Related: How we rate installation · How we assess build quality