A Practical Guide from TimBuild Stellenbosch

TimBuild Stellenbosch offers two paths to a new kitchen at different price points: pre-assembled SMART DIY Cupboards for speed and value, or fully custom-cut cabinetry for a bespoke fit — plus a Buy Now, Pay Later option to help spread the cost. Here’s how to plan a kitchen cupboard project that fits your budget without cutting corners on quality.

SMART DIY Cupboards vs Custom-Built: Which Saves You More?
  • SMART DIY Cupboards are pre-assembled, ready-to-install storage units — the cutting, drilling, and edging are already done for you. Because you’re not paying for bespoke joinery labour, this is generally the more affordable route to a finished kitchen, bedroom, study, or home office.
  • Custom-cut cabinetry is tailored to your exact dimensions using TimBuild Stellenbosch’s board-cutting and cupboard design service. It suits irregular spaces or an exact-fit requirement, but takes more design and cutting time than a standard-range unit.

For most kitchens, a mix of the two is worth considering — more on that below.

Where the Real Costs Add Up (and How to Control Them)
  • Floor units, wall units, and specialist units: floor units (free-standing storage including drawers, grocery and floor corner cupboards) and wall units (wall-end display, multi-level shelving, corner units) come from the standard SMART range. Specialist units — double-door shelves, hanging cupboards, sink cabinets — are made to order to your exact dimensions, so they typically cost more.
  • Cupboard door and worktop finish: TimBuild Stellenbosch offers a wide range of colours, styles, and finishes. Starting with a standard finish is a practical way to keep initial costs down, with room to upgrade specific elements later.
  • Handles, cupboard legs and feet: these are chosen separately from the main units, so decide on them early against your overall budget rather than as an afterthought.
  • Lead time: SMART DIY Cupboards typically have a lead time of around 5–10 days given the size of the range. Planning ahead — rather than needing everything urgently — gives you room to make considered, budget-conscious decisions rather than rushed ones.
A Practical Way to Phase the Project
  • Bring accurate room measurements and a rough sketch — including surfaces and doors — to start. Getting this right upfront avoids costly remeasuring or rework once cutting begins.
  • If the budget is tight, consider starting with floor units, the main workhorse of most kitchens, and phasing in wall units or specialist pieces later.
  • Mixing SMART pre-assembled units with a few custom-cut pieces — for an odd-shaped corner, for example — is a practical way to balance cost against an exact fit.
Buy Now, Pay Later

TimBuild Stellenbosch offers a Buy Now, Pay Later option from Kanga Finance, which is worth asking about in-store if spreading the cost of a full kitchen project makes more sense for you than paying it all upfront.

Getting Started
  • Measure your room and sketch your space, including surfaces and doors.
  • Bring your measurements down to TimBuild Stellenbosch — the in-store team will help with design, storage layout, and material and finish selection based on your space and budget.
  • If you already know your custom board requirements, download the cutting list template and send it in for a quote.

TimBuild Stellenbosch is located at 22 Planken St, Plankenbrug, Stellenbosch. Call 021 887 3618/9 or email info@timbuildstellenbosch.co.za to get started on your kitchen project.