Install custom cabinets.

Investing in custom joinery not only maximises your living space but can also significantly increase your property value. Whether you are looking for traditional shaker-style alcove units or sleek, modern media walls, professional installation ensures a seamless "built-in" look that lasts a lifetime.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Initial Site Survey: A detailed consultation to measure the space, check for wall levelness, and identify any obstructions like radiators or sockets.
• Design & Material Selection: Choosing between materials such as moisture-resistant MDF (perfect for painting), birch plywood, or solid hardwoods like Oak and Walnut.
• Off-Site Fabrication: Most of the heavy cutting and assembly takes place in the carpenter's workshop to minimise dust and disruption in your home.
• Scribing & Fitting: The units are brought to the site and "scribed" to your walls and floors, ensuring there are no gaps even if your surfaces are uneven.
• Hardware Installation: Fitting high-quality soft-close hinges, drawer runners, and bespoke handles or knobs.
• Finishing: Final sanding and either on-site hand-painting or the installation of pre-finished spray-coated panels.

Typical Costs

Prices are heavily influenced by your choice of material and the complexity of the finish. Hand-painted finishes are generally more expensive due to the labour involved, while melamine-faced boards offer a more budget-friendly, durable alternative for internal shelving.

Always clarify if the quote includes VAT and the final painting/decoration, as many carpenters provide units "primed only," leaving the final coat to a decorator.

How Long Does It Take?

• Consultation & Design: 1–2 weeks for measurements and design approval.
• Workshop Fabrication: 2–4 weeks depending on the carpenter's current lead times.
• On-Site Installation: 1–3 days for most standard alcove or wardrobe projects.
• Final Decoration: 2–3 days if the units are being hand-painted on-site.

DIY or Professional?

While basic shelving can be a DIY task, custom cabinetry requires specialist machinery and advanced "scribing" skills to achieve a professional finish. Mistakes in measuring or cutting expensive hardwoods can be costly, and DIY attempts often lack the structural integrity needed for heavy loads.

If your project involves integrated electrics (such as LED strip lighting or TV mounting), you must ensure the work complies with Part P of the Building Regulations. Professional carpenters often partner with qualified electricians to handle these elements safely.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Qualifications: Look for City & Guilds or NVQ Level 2/3 in Bench Joinery or Site Carpentry.
• Review the Portfolio: A specialist cabinet maker should have a gallery of previous "built-in" projects, not just general building work.
• Ask about Dust Management: Professional installers should use HEPA-filtered extraction systems to keep your home clean during the fitting process.
• Questions to Ask: Do you use moisture-resistant materials? Is the final painting included in the price? Do you provide a 3D visual or CAD drawing before fabrication?

UK Regulations

• Part P (Electrical Safety): Mandatory if the cabinetry includes new integrated lighting or relocated sockets.
• Fire Safety: If cabinets are installed in "protected escape routes" (like hallways or landings), specific material fire ratings may apply.
• Waste Disposal: Ensure your tradesperson has a valid Upper Tier Waste Carrier Licence to legally remove old furniture or offcuts.

Common Problems

• Wood Movement: Using unseasoned timber can lead to warping or cracking as your central heating dries the air; always opt for kiln-dried timber or stable engineered boards.
• Hidden Obstructions: Pipes or cables hidden behind plasterboard can interfere with fixings; a professional will use a wall scanner before drilling.
• Poor Scribing: Gaps between the cabinet and a wonky wall are a sign of poor craftsmanship; the unit should look like it is growing out of the wall.
• Inadequate Support: Floating shelves or wide drawers can sag over time if not engineered with the correct internal reinforcements.

Frequently Asked Questions