The Commission Process
Commissioning custom built-ins isn't like ordering furniture. It starts with a conversation and ends with something that fits your home like it was always supposed to be there. Here's what to expect in between.
Before We Start
I build on a schedule that fits my capacity — not a production floor timeline. Current lead time is typically 8–16 weeks from deposit. That's longer than a cabinet company. It's also why the work turns out the way it does.
That's by design. Every project gets my full attention — not a fraction of it. I'm not staffed to run multiple builds in parallel, and I won't take your deposit if I can't deliver.
Not right now. I'm focused on built-ins, custom storage, and finish carpentry — the pieces that make a specific room work better. If your project is a full kitchen gut, I'm not the right fit and I'll tell you so.
The Commission
It starts with an inquiry form. Tell me what you're thinking — project type, rough dimensions, where you are in CNY, and your general timeline. I'll review it and reach back out within a few business days.
This first conversation isn't a sales call. It's a fit check. I want to know if your project is something I can do well, and if the timing works for both of us. If it's not a fit, I'll tell you — no soft redirect. If it is, we schedule a site visit.
I'll come to your home, take dimensions, and walk the space with you. We'll talk about what the room needs to do, what it currently lacks, and how the piece should fit into the existing architecture. I'll look at your trim profiles, your floor heights, your awkward corners — all the things that a cabinet company will either ignore or charge extra to address.
After the site visit, I'll produce a design drawing — a to-scale representation of what we discussed. You review it, we adjust, and we land on a plan you're confident in before anything else moves forward.
Once the design is locked, we talk materials. Wood species, finish type (paint, stain, natural), hardware, and any specialty elements like inset doors, crown, or integrated lighting. I'll show you samples where it helps.
You'll receive a written proposal with a fixed price, a timeline, and a clear scope. No hourly billing, no open-ended estimates. If the scope changes after you sign, we talk about it before any additional work happens.
Your deposit secures your spot in the build queue. When it's your turn, I'm in the shop — cutting, fitting, assembling, and finishing. I'll check in at key milestones (material arrival, case construction, door fitting, final finish) so you're never in the dark.
Build time varies by project complexity. A single pantry run might take 6–8 weeks. A full library wall might take 12–16. I'll give you a realistic estimate upfront and update you if anything shifts. Rush jobs don't go here — the work takes what the work takes.
I install the piece myself. Everything is brought in, set, leveled, scribed to the wall, and fit to the space — the same way it was built in the shop, but now in your actual room. Scribing to imperfect walls, matching trim profiles, touching up paint — all part of the installation.
Final payment is due on completion. I walk you through the piece — hardware function, any care or touch-up notes — and we close out. You get a piece that fits your home like it always belonged there. That's the job.
When You Inquire
You don't need drawings, a mood board, or a fixed budget to reach out. But the more you can tell me, the better I can respond.
What you don't need: Pinterest boards, Houzz inspiration folders, CAD drawings, or a finished design. Show up with a problem and we'll work toward the solution together.
Ready?
Projects book weeks out. If you have something in mind for this year, now is the right time to reach out.