Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much will my project cost?

    Since the price of a project has many factors, the costs are not uniform. The size of the project, as well as your personal choice of wood and materials must be considered.

  • Do you offer a free quote?

    Yes, the first appointment is free and after a detailed consultation, we will be able to give you an estimate of your project.

  • What should I expect from a quote meeting?

    To get the most out of our meeting, we will advise you how much time to clear so we can take measurements and you will be able to choose materials. In most cases at the end of the meeting, you can expect be given an exact price according to your specifications.

  • Do you accept repair/refinish jobs?

    Due to our busy schedule and the high demands of our business, we do not take on repair/refinish jobs.

  • What’s the typical turnaround time for a project?

    We typically complete projects within 3 to 6 months, depending on the scope, complexity and existing projects on our schedule. We’ll work closely with you to set a realistic timeline and keep you updated every step of the way!

  • What are the payment options and split?

    Cash or check, 45% due at signing to cover materials and other costs. The balance will be paid on the last day of the project.

  • Do you have insurance?

    Yes, we carry a $2,000,000 general liability policy

  • Do you build custom kitchen cabinets and islands?

    Yes — kitchens and cabinet work are among our most requested services. We build each cabinet box from solid wood, sized to your exact wall dimensions, ceiling height, and appliance layout. Islands are fully custom, including built-in storage and overhangs matched to your countertop and workflow.

  • Are custom built-ins cheaper than freestanding furniture?

    Not always upfront, but custom built-ins typically deliver better long-term value. They use every inch of your available space, require no filler pieces, and can't be replicated by a catalog item. In Colorado homes where rooms vary in dimension, built-ins often outperform freestanding furniture on both function and resale appeal.

  • What's the difference between custom and builder-grade trim?

    Builder-grade trim is cut to standard dimensions from finger-jointed or MDF stock and installed quickly across many homes at once. Custom trim is profiled and fitted to your specific room — matching existing casings, scribing to walls, and using solid wood that holds paint and finish far longer without warping or delaminating.

  • What wood species work best for Colorado's dry climate?

    Hardwoods like white oak, hard maple, and alder handle Colorado's low humidity well. Solid wood expands and contracts predictably, while particleboard and MDF can crack or delaminate over repeated seasonal cycling. Finish choice matters too — catalyzed lacquer and conversion varnish outperform water-based coatings in dry conditions.

  • How does custom carpentry improve a home's resale value?

    Custom built-ins, quality cabinetry, and detailed trim work signal craftsmanship quality to buyers in ways that flat-pack furniture cannot. In Denver Metro markets like Castle Pines and Highlands Ranch, where buyers set high expectations, professionally installed custom woodwork tends to read as a permanent home improvement rather than a furnishing.

  • What factors drive the cost of custom cabinetry?

    Wood species, door style, interior fittings, and total linear footage are the main cost drivers. Dovetail drawer boxes and full-extension hardware add to material costs but also longevity. Solid wood costs more than MDF upfront, but it can be refinished and lasts decades — a meaningful distinction for kitchen cabinets used daily.

  • Can wainscoting be installed in older Colorado homes?

    Yes, but older homes require more preparation than newer construction. Walls in houses built before the 1980s are rarely perfectly plumb, so pre-cut panel kits often leave visible gaps. Custom-fitted wainscoting is scribed to the actual wall surface, eliminating the caulk-heavy workarounds that crack when the house moves seasonally.

  • How long does a custom cabinet installation typically take?

    Most kitchen cabinet projects run two to four weeks from final design approval to installation completion, depending on scope and material lead times. Custom work requires field measurements, shop fabrication, and a planned installation sequence — the extra time upfront is what allows every cabinet to fit without gaps or filler strips.

  • What stair railing styles work in open-plan Colorado homes?

    Homes with vaulted entries and open layouts benefit from custom newel posts with visual weight proportional to the ceiling height — standard 3.5-inch turned posts look undersized in rooms with 10- to 14-foot ceilings. Handrail profiles should also match the home's existing trim character, whether craftsman, traditional, or transitional.

  • Is custom carpentry worth it for a smaller home?

    Often more so than in larger homes. In compact spaces, a well-designed built-in bookcase or custom cabinet layout uses vertical height and awkward corners that freestanding furniture wastes entirely. Rooms stop working around the furniture and start functioning as intended — a distinction that's immediately noticeable in homes under 1,500 square feet.