Custom cabinets: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering custom cabinets

Custom cabinet work is judged on fit, finish and the detail of the joinery, and customers want to see the drawings before they commit. Win the job by measuring carefully, approving the design in writing and showing the build quality in the shop.

What customers ask

  • Can you match the cabinets to my existing wood and finish?
  • How long will the build take from the approved drawing?
  • What joinery do you use, and how will the drawers hold up?
  • What happens if the wall is out of square when you install?
  • Can you show me a finished project with a similar layout?

How to win the job

  • Measure the room twice on the first visit, and record the walls, the ceiling heights, the outlet locations and the plumbing in writing.
  • Build a drawing with the elevations, the door style and the drawer layout, and get the customer's approval before any material is cut.
  • Show the joinery and the finish on a sample box or drawer, so the customer sees the build quality up close.
  • Name the wood species, the joinery and the finish system in the quote, with the number of coats and the sheen.
  • List the hardware by item in the proposal, with the soft-close and the specialty pieces noted.
  • Put the delivery and the install steps in the schedule, with the day the room must be clear for the crew.
  • Explain how the install handles the wall and floor conditions, and quote the scribing and filler work as its own lines.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of the drawings and the finished cabinets side by side, to show the design match
  • Close-up photos of the joinery, the drawer boxes and the door edges
  • Photos of the finish samples and the shop setup where the boxes are built
  • A list of the wood species and hardware brands you work with

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • A care guide for the wood and the finish, with the cleaning and the touch-up steps
  • A check visit after the first few months to look at door alignment and any movement
  • A quote for a matching vanity or a built-in addition, offered only if the customer asks

Licenses and permits

Custom cabinetmaking commonly does not need a license, but hookups often require licensed trades and a permit may apply to a remodel. Confirm your business registration, insurance and any shop safety and product requirements in your state and locality.

Questions

Should I require a deposit before the build?

A deposit is common for custom work because materials are bought up front. State the deposit, the payment steps and what happens if the job is cancelled in the quote.

How do I handle a change after the drawings are approved?

Write the change in a change order, state its effect on the schedule and the build, and get the customer's approval before the change is made.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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