Before we go any further, I thought we talk about pricing.

There are several ways to get price for cabinets.
1. Have an design or architect complete a set of drawing AND specifation
2. Have a cabinet shop out for a site visit
3. Have a General Contractor out for a site visit.

Any one or all three of the above are suitable.

The most important thing is that you look at the pricing apples to apples. In cabinet cunstruction there are a variety of ways to construct cabinets and a numerous choices on hardware.

Since you have decided to purchase custom made cabinets, make sure that the dollars you are spending get the most value. Do not eliminate a bid just because it is higher. Ask questions, its your money and you have a right to know exactly what you are buying,

Some of most often over look questions are: (these will have their own blog)
A. What kind of hardware the cabinet company is using.
B. What are the cabinet boxes make out of
C. How are the boxes put together
D. Is there a warranty

I also believe in:
Reviews - on Google, Kudzu, Yahoo, Angie List etc.
Angies listis a great place. You can't pay to be on the list (you can pay to be listed on the top of the list) For the five dollars or so ($5) you spend on becoming a month member you can see if the company has any reviews and what people who used them think.
References - are okay. But remember the company giving you the referenced aren't going to give you bad ones if they want your business.
The Better Business Bureau. Small shop are not always members, you have to pay to be a member. However, you can see if there has been any complaints against the company,.