Do I need drawings before contacting you?
No. You can start with an inspiration picture, sketch, or simply an idea. We actually enjoy helping homeowners take something they have seen and determine how it can work in their own home.
Can you build something from a Pinterest or Instagram picture?
We can use the picture as inspiration. Your room will likely have different dimensions, windows, doors, ceiling height, outlets, trim, and other conditions, so the design may need to change.
The goal is to capture what you like about the picture while creating something that fits your home.
Do you build custom built-ins?
Yes. Built-ins are one of our primary custom carpentry services. This can include cabinets, shelving, bookcases, entertainment centers, fireplace built-ins, offices, mudrooms, window seats, and other fitted storage.
Can you build wall-to-wall built-ins?
Yes. Wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling built-ins can be designed around the dimensions and architecture of the room.
Can built-ins go on an uneven wall?
Yes. Real walls are not always perfectly straight. Fitting, fillers, trim, leveling, and techniques such as scribing can be used to account for actual room conditions.
Can you build cabinets around an existing fireplace?
In many cases, yes. We need to look at the existing fireplace, clearances, surrounding materials, wall, and room layout before determining the right design.
Can you build a complete entertainment or media wall?
Yes. Depending on the design, a media wall can include cabinetry, shelving, framing, an electric fireplace, television area, lighting, electrical coordination, drywall, trim, tile or other finishes, and paint.
Can you hide TV wires?
Cable management can be incorporated into many entertainment-center and media-wall projects. The exact solution depends on the wall construction, electrical requirements, television, and other equipment.
Can you add an electric fireplace?
Yes. Electric fireplaces can be incorporated into many new media-wall designs. We want to know which fireplace is being used during planning so the surrounding construction can be designed around its specifications.
Should built-ins be symmetrical?
Not necessarily. Symmetry can look beautiful, but an off-center fireplace, window, doorway, or unusual wall may call for another layout. The goal is visual balance rather than forcing both sides to be identical.
Should built-ins go all the way to the ceiling?
They can, but they do not have to. Ceiling height, wall width, windows, doors, crown molding, and overall room proportions should influence the decision.
Can built-ins match my existing trim?
Often, yes. We can look at existing crown molding, baseboard, casing, and the architectural style of the room and determine how the new work should connect to it.
What happens to the baseboard behind built-ins?
It depends on the design. Rather than simply pushing cabinetry in front of existing baseboard, we plan how the new carpentry and trim should meet so the transition looks intentional.
Do you build custom closets?
Yes. Custom closets are one of our main carpentry services. We can create walk-in and reach-in storage with hanging areas, shelving, drawers, cabinets, shoe storage, upper storage, built-in dressers, and other organization.
Can you improve a small reach-in closet?
Yes. Smaller closets often waste vertical space. A combination of double hanging, shelves, drawers, shoe storage, and upper storage can make the same footprint much more useful.
Can you build a custom walk-in closet?
Yes. Walk-in closets can include several types of hanging storage, shelving, drawers, cabinets, shoe storage, upper storage, built-in dressers, benches, and other features depending on the available space.
Can closet lighting be part of the project?
Yes. When lighting or other electrical work is needed, it can be considered during the design and coordinated with a qualified electrician.
Can you build a custom home office?
Yes. Custom home offices can include built-in desks, bookcases, shelving, cabinets, file drawers, printer storage, lighting, electrical planning, and cable management.
Can you build mudroom storage?
Yes. Mudroom projects can include benches, lockers, cubbies, hooks, shoe storage, drawers, cabinets, and other storage designed around your household.
Can you build custom bookshelves?
Yes. Shelf size, depth, spacing, thickness, support, and material can be designed around the room and what you intend to store.
How deep should built-in shelves be?
There is no single depth that is right for every project. Books, decorations, electronics, clothing, and other items all have different requirements.
We would rather design the shelf around what it needs to hold than choose a depth simply because it is common.
How do you keep shelves from sagging?
Shelf length, thickness, material, load, and support all matter. Long shelves carrying heavy books need to be designed differently from shorter decorative shelves.
Is MDF good for built-ins?
It can be. MDF can provide an excellent smooth painted surface for appropriate dry interior applications.
We choose materials according to where they are being used, how they will be finished, and what they need to do.
Is MDF good for closets?
MDF can be a very good paint-grade material for certain components in a dry closet. As with any material, we consider the location, design, expected use, and finish before deciding where it makes sense.
Is plywood good for custom built-ins?
Quality plywood can be an excellent material for many cabinetry and built-in applications. The exact construction method depends on the project, design, finish, and budget.
Is solid wood always better than MDF or plywood?
No. Different materials have different strengths. Solid wood is appropriate for many applications, while MDF can be excellent for certain painted work and plywood can be very useful for cabinetry and shelving.
The better question is which material makes sense for that particular part of the project.
Do you build everything completely from scratch?
We have options. Some projects can be completely field-built. Others may combine quality manufactured or semi-custom cabinetry with custom panels, shelving, fillers, trim, and finish carpentry.
The right approach depends on the project and budget.
What is field-built carpentry?
Field-built carpentry is built and fitted at the project location. This allows us to work directly with the actual walls, floors, ceilings, trim, and other conditions in the home.
What is scribing?
Scribing is a method used to fit material to an uneven wall, floor, ceiling, or other surface. It can help create a cleaner transition instead of leaving an uneven visible gap.
Do you install wainscoting?
Yes. We can install wainscoting and other decorative wall treatments based on the style and proportions of the room.
Do you install picture-frame or box molding?
Yes. Picture-frame molding, box molding, and other decorative trim can be installed on a feature wall or throughout a room.
How should picture-frame molding be spaced?
The whole wall should be considered before determining the spacing. Doors, windows, corners, outlets, switches, wall width, ceiling height, and adjoining features can all affect the layout.
Do you install board-and-batten?
Yes. Board-and-batten can be incorporated into bedrooms, dining rooms, entryways, mudrooms, hallways, and other spaces.
How high should wainscoting be?
There is no one height that works for every room. Ceiling height, windows, furniture, existing trim, and the desired style should all influence the layout.
Can wall molding go around outlets and switches?
Yes, but outlets and switches should be considered before the molding layout is finalized. Planning them early helps avoid awkward panel sizes and transitions.
Do you install crown molding?
Yes. Crown molding can be installed as part of a larger room update or finish-carpentry project.
What size crown molding should I use?
The size should be proportional to the room. Ceiling height, room size, existing trim, cabinetry, and architectural style should all be considered rather than simply choosing the largest profile.
Can you match existing molding?
In many cases, we can work with the existing style or find a profile that relates well to it. The best approach depends on what is already in the home and how closely the new work needs to match.
Do you install interior doors?
Yes. Interior doors, French doors, openings, casing, and related trim can be incorporated into larger carpentry and room projects.
Do you build coffered ceilings?
We can create coffered ceilings and other decorative ceiling details depending on the project. The design needs to account for room dimensions, lights, vents, fans, and other ceiling features.
Do you paint the finished carpentry?
Yes. Our goal is to deliver a completed project. Depending on the scope, that can include filling, sanding, caulking where appropriate, priming, painting, hardware installation, and final adjustments.
Can you coordinate electrical work?
Yes. When licensed electrical work is needed for built-ins, closets, offices, entertainment centers, fireplaces, lighting, or other features, we can coordinate it as part of the project.
Do you take small carpentry jobs?
Our primary focus is mid-size and larger custom carpentry projects where we can make a meaningful change to a room. If you are unsure whether your project is a fit, contact us and tell us what you have in mind.
