Multi-Family Procurement Guide
Navigate the complexities of high-volume cabinetry sourcing with strategic precision. Align your procurement path with project scale to maximize efficiency and ROI.
1.Determine Your Optimal Sourcing Strategy
Small Scale Projects (< 20 Units)
For boutique projects or renovations under 20 units, agility is paramount. Sourcing through domestic importers allows you to bypass the complexities of customs clearance and extended lead times associated with international logistics.
Koville Cabinetry operates 8 strategic RTA warehouses across the United States. We provide competitive wholesale pricing that rivals direct imports for smaller volumes, offering the perfect balance of speed and budget control.
Large Scale Projects (> 20 Units / FCL)
For developments exceeding 20 units that meet Full Container Load (FCL) requirements, engaging directly with the manufacturer is the most efficient path to maximizing margins.
“Factory Direct Price. Zero Middleman Cost.”
ZASI Cabinetry offers a comprehensive Factory Direct Container program. We eliminate all middleman markups, ensuring your procurement budget translates directly into product quality and value.
2.U.S. Multifamily Rental Market × Cabinet Specification Matrix
Students & Single Renters
Market Characteristics: High turnover environment requiring fast unit turns. The priority is strictly CAPEX control and standardized layouts for easy maintenance.
Recommended Spec:
White Shaker Cabinetry
• Construction: Framed or Frameless (Particle Board)
Families & Mature Renters
Market Characteristics: Higher retention rates dictate a need for quality. Tenants value storage solutions, durability, and aesthetics. Ideal for “standard upgrade” programs.
Recommended Spec:
Shaker or Slim Shaker
• Construction: Framed or Frameless (Plywood Body)
Senior & Retirement Renters
Market Characteristics: The most stable tenant base. Focus is on safety, accessibility, and ease of maintenance. Correct design choices significantly improve long-term retention.
Recommended Spec:
ADA-Oriented Solutions
• Features: Accessible heights, Pull-out storage, Soft-close.
3.Optimizing Logistics & Shipping Configurations
Floor Loading
Maximizes container cubic utilization with minimal wasted space. This is the “high-density” option for maximum volume efficiency.
Advantages
- Lowest transportation cost per unit.
- Highest container efficiency.
Disadvantages
- Requires sufficient staging space.
- High labor demand for manual unloading.
Best suited for experienced, large-scale operations with a buffer warehouse. Requires a dedicated crew of at least 4 people (1 forklift operator + 3 manual unloaders).
Palletized Shipment (Mixed SKUs)
Products are palletized by model/SKU and systematically loaded. This strikes a balance between shipping density and site logistics.
Advantages
- Fast unloading speed.
- Significantly reduced labor requirements.
Trade-off
- ~20% higher transportation cost per unit compared to floor loading.
Ideal for direct-to-jobsite deliveries where unloading speed is critical and labor availability is limited.
One Unit per Pallet
Each pallet is dedicated to a single apartment unit (1 Unit = 1 Pallet). Provides the ultimate clear itemization and unit-level identification.
Advantages
- Simplest inventory & jobsite management.
- Saves significant administrative time and operational effort.
Trade-off
- ~35% higher transportation cost per unit compared to floor loading.
Ideal for complex projects where organization and speed outweigh pure shipping costs.
4.Cabinetry Design & Material Standards
Curated Color Palette & Finishes
For multi-family projects, the Shaker style remains the undisputed market leader. Based on recent market research and Sherwin Williams data, we recommend the following palette for broad tenant appeal:
Top-Tier Paint Selections
- SW 7008 Alabaster — A warm, inviting white.
- SW 7004 Snowbound — A crisp, cooler white.
- SW 7042 Shoji White — The perfect “Greige” white.
- SW 7017 Dorian Gray — A versatile mid-tone grey with warm undertones.
Premium Wood Stains
- Sandstone — Warm hues with natural maple-like grain.
- Rift-Cut Oak — Straight grain white oak for high-end aesthetics.
- Charcoal Black — A sophisticated stain, ideal for contrasting islands.
Door Styles & Profiles
Aligning with KCMA data and current architectural trends, selecting the right door profile is critical for defining the project’s market positioning.
01. Shaker / Slim Shaker
Still #1 Market ChoiceThe timeless standard. Offers the best versatility for transitional designs. Best suited for: Framed Cabinetry.
02. Flat-Panel (Slab)
Minimalist & ModernClean lines for urban or contemporary developments. Best suited for: Frameless (Euro-Style) Cabinetry.
03. Inset Cabinetry
Design-Focused PremiumA luxury choice where the door sits flush within the frame. Reserved for high-end specification projects.
Door Material Selection
Solid Wood
The industry standard for durability and value. Options range from Solid Birch and Rubber Wood for standard projects, to White Oak or Black Walnut for luxury tiers.
MDF / HDF (Paint Grade)
Superior physical stability with zero risk of cracking or warping. We exclusively use premium, eco-friendly paints (Sherwin Williams) to ensure environmental safety and finish longevity.
Melamine / PET
Ideal for Slab Frameless cabinets. Offers a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that is highly attractive to younger demographics in urban rental markets.
Thermofoil
Not Recommended. While inexpensive, Thermofoil is prone to heat damage, peeling, and discoloration. It cannot be repaired. We advise against this unless strictly dictated by extreme budget constraints.
Carcase Construction & Substrates
01. Structural Integrity
“Back to Basics” Engineering
Simplicity ensures reliability. While systems like OVVO or Threespine are novel, they often introduce unnecessary manufacturing costs and assembly complexities.
We advocate for Metal-to-Metal plate construction. It offers the optimal balance of superior stability, ease of assembly, and cost-efficiency.
02. Carcase Material Tiers
Packaging Standards
Flat Pack Configuration
RecommendedFor multi-family volume, Flat Pack (RTA) is the logistical standard to minimize freight damage and maximize container yield.
Quality Control Protocol: Box Strength
We strictly enforce a minimum 150lbs Bursting Test for all carton packaging. Cartons rated below 150lbs present a significant risk of deformation and transit damage. ZASI does not compromise on protective packaging.
Request Your Factory-Direct Quote
The Next Step
“Submit your project specifications or cabinet schedule below. Let our team analyze your plans and demonstrate the value of eliminating the middleman.”
