Cabinet makers are artisans specializing in custom cabinetry
Custom cabinets are a significant investment that enhance the functionality and beauty of your home, and hiring the right professional is essential for ensuring quality craftsmanship. So, if you’re wondering who to hire to build custom cabinets, here are the pros to consider for a job done right.
A cabinet maker is a craftsman who designs, builds, and installs cabinets. Their work often extends beyond just cabinets to include various woodwork projects.
These pros specialize in high-end kitchen remodels with bespoke cabinetry. They have the necessary experience working with clients, designers, and architects to achieve specific design goals. The cost to install wood kitchen cabinets varies based on the size of your project and location.
The benefits of hiring a local cabinet maker include the following:
Capable of creating both stock and custom wood kitchen cabinets
Ability to create custom storage solutions for unique spaces
Possesses the required advanced skills and techniques to create intricate cabinetry designs
Ability to integrate specialized features like hidden compartments, wine racks, and custom shelving
Installing hinges demands precise layout to ensure that all doors align correctly across the cabinets. Consider making jigs for this stage. They can greatly simplify the process, ensuring consistency and alignment in every cabinet.
General contractors often have a network of skilled tradespeople, including custom cabinet makers, who can do the job. The advantage to hiring a general contractor near you is that they will manage your home project, from design to installation, ensuring great results. Contractors are an ideal choice if your renovation project extends beyond cabinetry to plumbing and electrical.
Hiring a skilled local carpenter with experience in cabinetry can be a route to go when building custom cabinets. They may not specialize exclusively in cabinets, but their broad woodworking skills can be valuable for customized projects. Remember that while many carpenters are skilled at building, not all may have the design expertise of a custom cabinetry maker.
Custom cabinet makers handle a cabinet project through well-defined steps to ensure quality and satisfaction. Here’s an overview of the process:
Consultation: The cabinet maker meets with the client to discuss their needs, preferences, and vision for the project, including style, materials, finishes, specific features, and measurements.
Quote: Afterward, they’ll create a detailed quote outlining the costs of the materials, labor, and additional services. Once the client approves the quote, they’ll sign a contract.
Design: The cabinet maker creates detailed designs and plans based on the client’s specifications. This process often involves using design software to create 3D renderings, which are then presented to the client for final approval.
Production: The cabinet components are precisely cut, shaped, and assembled in the workshop. This step requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy and quality. Afterward, they’ll sand, paint, or finish the cabinets according to the client’s specifications.
Installation: The cabinet maker or an installation team installs the cabinets, ensuring they fit perfectly and function correctly. The process includes adjusting doors, drawers, and hardware.
Custom cabinets cost between $2,800 and $12,980, or $500 to $1,200 per linear foot. Costs vary widely depending on the number of cabinets you need, their height, the complexity of the design, and the quality of the material you select. Get ready for a bill that could be two to three times higher if you choose an exotic wood, like cherry, rather than a medium-density fiberboard. You’ll also need to up your budget if you integrate add-ons, like cabinet Lazy Susans, wine racks, or pull-out spice racks.
Yes, with the right experience, you can DIY custom cabinets. However, it takes skill, time, and the right tools. You'll need to be comfortable with woodworking basics like measuring, cutting, and assembling, which can range from simple to pretty advanced. You'll also need to know your way around tools like saws, drills, sanders, and routers, plus have some clamps, measuring tools, and specialized joinery tools. If you’ve never done a complex building project like this before, leave this one to the pros.
Custom cabinets can be worth it if you plan to live in your home for the foreseeable future. Often made with high-quality materials and constructed by specialist craftspeople, they will be durable, long-lasting, and personalized to your taste and specific needs. However, if you are selling your property, refacing cabinets is a budget-friendly home remodeling project that can offer a better ROI. A neutral refresh may appeal more to buyers than personalized cabinets specific to your taste.
The average cost for custom cabinets for a 10 x 12 kitchen is between $10,000 and $30,000. This is based on requiring 20 to 25 linear feet of upper and lower cabinets. Of course, the pricing varies widely depending on the height of the cabinets, the materials you use, and the level of customization you opt for.
Custom cabinets might suit your needs and tastes, but there are disadvantages worth being aware of. Custom designs cost considerably more than off-the-shelf cabinetry, you may need to wait longer to book a specialist contractor, the complex work can take longer to complete, and over-customization can impact resale appeal.
Custom cabinets are typically handcrafted in a woodshop before being transported to your home for fitting. Some cabinet makers will do some of the work in the shop, completing it on-site to ensure a good fit or that the design meets your needs. Occasionally, contractors will do all the work on-site. However, this requires a temporary workspace and access to specialist tools, which means having contractors around your home for longer.