What this covers
Custom cabinets are designed for one room and built in a shop to fit it exactly: any width, any height, any wood, inset or overlay doors, furniture details, and interiors planned around how you cook and store. The process runs from design and drawings through wood and finish samples, shop fabrication, delivery and installation by the company that built them.
When to call
- An odd-shaped kitchen, sloped ceilings or walls that stock sizes cannot fill.
- A specific wood, finish or door style not offered by manufacturers.
- A long-term kitchen where fit and detail matter.
What to expect
- DesignThe room is measured and drawn, and layout, door style, wood and interiors decided with you.
- Samples and approvalDoor and finish samples are made for approval before anything is built.
- BuildCabinets are fabricated and finished in the shop.
- InstallBoxes are set and leveled, doors adjusted, and you walk every cabinet.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
How is custom different from semi-custom?
Custom is built from scratch to any dimension and detail. Semi-custom starts from a manufacturer's line and modifies sizes and finishes within limits.
What is an inset door?
A door that sits inside the cabinet frame, flush with it, rather than overlaying the frame. It is a traditional, furniture-like look that needs precise building.
How long does it take?
Longer than ordering stock, because the cabinets are built after the design is approved. The company gives you a schedule with the design.
Related: Semi-custom cabinets · Cabinet installation · Built-in cabinets and bookcases · All cabinets and countertops
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.