Where should I spend the cabinet budget before choosing the countertop?

I’d push back on treating plywood cabinet boxes as automatically worth prioritizing. The quote’s “construction” label may matter less than the parts you’ll use every day:

- Compare drawer-slide and hinge specifications, drawer-box construction, joinery, shelf support, and the actual warranty.
- Check whether the layout and cabinet sizing are identical. A better-fitting layout or more useful storage can outweigh a box-material difference.
- Make sure the installation scope is clear, especially for scribing to existing walls, leveling, and securing the peninsula.

I wouldn’t cut the countertop allowance too tightly just to reach the plywood option. Accurate templating, the peninsula’s support and installation details, fabrication, and the chosen edge all need to be priced realistically. A standard quartz may be a sensible place to save, but not an undersized installation allowance or a vague warranty.

The layout point is less useful here because it’s already essentially fixed. I wouldn’t treat a “better-fitting layout” as a meaningful offset between these quotes unless the cabinet sizes or storage actually change.

I’d compare the plywood upgrade directly with the drawer-slide and hinge specifications, drawer-box joinery, shelf support, and warranty. Better hardware and a clear warranty may justify choosing the less expensive box construction, while weak hardware or vague coverage would make the plywood option more compelling. That comparison is more relevant than layout in this case.

Since the layout is essentially fixed, I’d also separate the warranties rather than accept one broad warranty statement. Ask each bidder to identify coverage for:

- cabinet boxes and finish
- drawer slides, hinges, and drawer boxes
- countertop fabrication and the installation work, including the peninsula

That could change the comparison between the plywood upgrade and the less expensive boxes. A stronger box may reduce one kind of risk, while better hardware coverage or a clearly defined installation warranty may matter more in daily use. Likewise, a countertop material warranty may not cover a fabrication or installation issue, so those should be stated separately.

The peninsula’s “larger installation allowance” is worth unpacking before comparing countertop tiers. Ask whether the quote spells out any support needed for the overhang, and whether that’s included or priced separately. Even standard quartz may need added support depending on the overhang and the countertop maker’s requirements, so that cost shouldn’t get lumped in with the stone upgrade.