Custom cabinets & built-ins in Charlotte, NC.
Built-in shelves around a fireplace, a mudroom bench, a pantry or a closet that finally fits your things. Depending on the job, we build custom cabinetry and built-ins made for your space, or install cabinets sourced from a cabinet shop. Either way they are fitted to the room.
What custom built-ins are
A built-in is cabinetry or shelving made for one space and fastened to the house. That is different from a piece of furniture. Because it is fitted to the walls, the floor and the ceiling, it uses every inch, hides the gaps that furniture leaves and looks like part of the architecture.
People ask for them to add storage without losing floor space, to frame a fireplace or a television, to organize an entry, or to get more out of a closet, a laundry room or a pantry.
Common projects
• Built-in shelving and bookcases Floor-to-ceiling shelves beside a fireplace, a window seat or a media wall.
• Mudrooms and entry benches Hooks, cubbies and a bench where the family comes in from the garage or the back door.
• Custom closets and pantries Shelves, rods and drawers laid out for the way you store clothes and groceries.
• Cabinets for kitchens, baths and laundry rooms Custom or semi-custom cabinets, installed level and scribed to the walls.
• Trim, mantels and paneling Crown molding, wainscoting, box beams and mantels that finish the room.
Custom, semi-custom or stock?
Stock cabinets come in standard sizes and are the lowest-cost option. Semi-custom cabinets add size and finish choices. Custom cabinetry is made to your measurements and is the right call for odd spaces, unusual heights and built-ins that have to line up with trim and walls.
It depends on the job. We build custom cabinetry and built-ins made for your space, and we also install cabinets sourced from a cabinet shop. Larger cabinet runs often come from a shop and are installed by us, while built-ins made for one space are built to fit it. We will tell you which approach fits your room in the written scope.
How the work goes
1. Measure and design We measure the space, talk through how you will use it and sketch the layout so you can see what it will hold.
2. Choose materials and finish Paint-grade or stained wood, plywood or solid lumber, hardware and lighting, picked with cost and durability in mind.
3. Build, install and finish Cabinets are set level, scribed to walls and trimmed in, then painted or stained and walked through with you.
Get the details right before building
Walls and floors in older homes are rarely square, so a built-in has to be scribed to the room. Outlets, light switches, vents and returns need to be planned before the cabinet goes up, not cut into it afterward. If a built-in will hold heavy books or a television, we frame it to carry the weight and anchor it to the studs.
Think about the finish. Painted cabinets show wear at the edges and are easy to touch up. Stained wood looks warm and needs more care to match later. Whatever the choice, add lighting and electrical to the plan early.
Permits and your cabinets
Cabinets and shelving on their own are not what building permits are written for. Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement ties permits to structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, and significant kitchen and bathroom upgrades typically need one. If a built-in involves new wiring, moved plumbing or opening a wall, that part is permitted work.
Source: Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement, Permitting and Permit, Please! . Rules change and every property is different, so we confirm what applies at your address before the scope is final.
What to send when you get in touch
• Your address or town and photos of the space
• What you want to build: shelving, mudroom, closet, pantry, cabinets
• Rough measurements and any inspiration pictures
• Your preferred timing
Custom Cabinets & Built-Ins: common questions
Something else? Call (704) 977-6512 or send us a note.
Do you build the cabinets or install them?
Both, depending on the job. We build custom cabinets and built-ins made for your space, and we install cabinets sourced from a cabinet shop. We tell you which fits your project in the written scope.
What is the difference between custom cabinets and built-ins?
Custom cabinets are made to your measurements. A built-in is cabinetry or shelving made for one space and fastened to the house. Many projects are both.
Can you build shelves around my fireplace?
Yes. We measure the space, plan outlets and lighting, and build shelves and cabinets that fit the fireplace and the walls.
Do you build custom closets and pantries?
Yes. We lay out shelves, rods and drawers around how you store your things.
Can you install cabinets I bought elsewhere?
Yes, in most cases. Send photos or the order details so we can plan the installation.
Do cabinets and built-ins need a permit?
Cabinets on their own generally do not. New wiring, plumbing changes or structural work do. We confirm what applies.
How do I get a quote?
Send photos of the space, rough measurements and pictures of the look you like. We will talk it through and walk the room.