A cabinet making business designs, builds and installs cabinetry: kitchens, bathrooms, built-in bookcases, closets, laundry rooms and commercial casework for offices, stores and restaurants. Custom shops compete on fit, quality and design that factory cabinets cannot match.
The price gap explains the opportunity. According to HomeGuide, custom cabinets cost about $500 to $1,200 per linear foot installed (a national average around $850), while Angi puts stock cabinets at $100 to $300 and semi-custom at $150 to $650. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counts about 214,600 woodworkers, including roughly 86,000 cabinetmakers, with a median pay of $43,720 in May 2024. This guide covers the shop, equipment, rules, pricing, a worked example and finding clients.
A cabinet making business at a glance
Table of Contents
| Topic | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Startup cost | Moderate to high: shop space, table saw, edge bander, dust collection, finishing area and possibly a CNC router |
| Licenses | Business license and zoning for the shop; a contractor license for installation in many states |
| What clients pay | Custom cabinets about $500 to $1,200 per linear foot installed (HomeGuide); stock and semi-custom $100 to $650 (Angi) |
| Key customers | Homeowners, remodelers, builders, designers and commercial clients |
| Best for | Skilled woodworkers who also enjoy design, estimating and managing projects |
Who cabinet making suits
It suits skilled woodworkers who are precise, patient and organized. Running the business also means designing, measuring, estimating, buying materials, scheduling installations and managing clients, so business skills matter as much as craft.
BLS projects woodworker employment to decline slightly (about 2%) over the decade as factories automate, but custom work that factories cannot match remains in demand, especially for remodeling.
Choosing your niche
- Custom kitchens and baths: the largest projects, usually through homeowners, designers and remodelers.
- Built-ins: bookcases, entertainment walls, mudrooms, closets and window seats; smaller projects with strong margins.
- Commercial casework: offices, stores, restaurants, medical and dental offices, with specific specifications and deadlines.
- Subcontracting for remodelers and builders: steady volume at negotiated prices.
- Refacing and custom doors: a lower-cost option for clients keeping existing cabinet boxes.
Shop space, safety and rules
Most cabinet shops need industrial or light-industrial zoning; home shops may be restricted by noise, traffic and fire rules, so check before investing. The shop needs space for sheet goods, machines, assembly and finishing, plus loading access.
Safety is essential. Wood dust is a recognized health hazard, so OSHA guidance applies to controlling it with dust collection and good ventilation. Spray finishing needs a proper spray booth or area that meets fire codes, because finishes are flammable. Guard machines, train employees and keep first aid and fire extinguishers ready.
If you use composite wood panels (plywood, particleboard and MDF), source panels certified under the federal formaldehyde emission standards (TSCA Title VI). Fabricators who use certified panels have their own labeling responsibilities; follow EPA guidance.
Licensing for installation
Building cabinets in your shop is manufacturing, but installing them in homes and businesses is construction work. Many states and cities require a contractor license for installation above a certain project value, and some require licensed trades for related plumbing or electrical work. Check your state’s contractor licensing board, and pull permits when required.
Equipment
- Table saw or panel saw for sheet goods, plus a miter saw and jointer and planer for solid wood.
- Edge bander for plywood and particleboard edges.
- Drilling and joinery tools: line boring, pocket screws, dowels or other systems.
- CNC router (optional): cuts parts accurately and fast, reducing labor; a major investment.
- Dust collection sized for your machines.
- Finishing equipment and a compliant spray area.
- Design software for drawings, cut lists and client presentations.
Pricing per linear foot
| Cabinet type | Typical price per linear foot installed |
|---|---|
| Stock | $100 to $300 (Angi) |
| Semi-custom | $150 to $650 (Angi) |
| Custom | $500 to $1,200, national average about $850 (HomeGuide) |
| Custom materials only | $300 to $900 per foot (HomeGuide) |
| Installation labor | $200 to $300 per foot (HomeGuide) |
Price each project from detailed takeoffs: materials, hardware and finish for every cabinet, shop hours at a real hourly cost, installation time and a margin. Track actual hours against estimates on every job, and adjust your pricing when they differ. Use our pricing calculator to check margins.
A worked example: owner plus two employees
These are illustrative assumptions, not predictions.
| Assumption | Monthly | |
|---|---|---|
| Custom kitchen and built-in projects | 45 linear feet a month at $750 per foot installed | $33,750 |
| Revenue | $33,750 | |
| Materials | Plywood, hardwood, hardware and finishes, about $300 per foot | $(13,500) |
| Shop employees | One cabinetmaker and one helper, with payroll costs | $(9,200) |
| Shop rent and utilities | $(2,800) | |
| Equipment payments and maintenance | Including a CNC router | $(1,500) |
| Insurance | Liability, property, workers’ compensation | $(900) |
| Vehicle and delivery | $(600) | |
| Software and marketing | Design software, website | $(700) |
| Profit before owner pay and taxes | $4,550 |
That leaves about $4,550 a month before the owner’s pay and taxes, on about $33,750 of revenue. Material costs and estimating accuracy are the biggest risks: a project that runs 20% over on shop hours can lose its entire profit.
From consultation to installation
- Consultation: understand the client’s needs, style and budget.
- Field measure: measure precisely, noting walls that are out of square, windows, plumbing and electrical.
- Design and quote: drawings, materials, finish and a detailed price; take a deposit when approved.
- Order and build: order materials, cut, assemble and finish in the shop.
- Deliver and install: protect the home, install level and plumb, and adjust doors and drawers.
- Walk-through: review the finished work with the client and fix any small items quickly.
Working with remodelers and designers
Remodelers and designers can provide steady work, but they expect reliable lead times, clear drawings and prices they can include in their own bids. Agree on who measures, who handles client changes and how schedule delays are communicated. Deliver on time; a remodeler’s whole schedule (countertops, plumbing, electrical) depends on your cabinets arriving when promised.
Warranties and callbacks
Offer a written warranty on workmanship and finishes, and honor it promptly. Wood moves with seasons and humidity, so doors and drawers may need adjustment after installation; schedule a follow-up visit a few months later. Fast, friendly callbacks turn into referrals.
Finding clients
- Remodelers and builders, who need reliable cabinet partners for kitchens and baths.
- Interior designers and architects, who specify custom work.
- Homeowners through your website, portfolio and reviews.
- Commercial general contractors for casework bids.
- Showroom or display pieces at a local design center or home show.
Professional photos of finished work are your best sales tool; photograph every project.
Choosing materials and finishes
Material choices shape both quality and price. Many custom shops build cabinet boxes from plywood for strength and screw-holding power, while particleboard and MDF are used where budgets are tighter or for painted doors that need a smooth, stable surface. Solid hardwood is common for face frames and doors. Choose quality drawer slides and hinges; they are what clients touch every day. Finishes range from stained hardwood to painted and catalyzed coatings; durable, factory-like finishes take equipment, ventilation and skill. Offer clients a clear set of material and finish tiers so quotes are easy to compare.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Underestimating shop hours on custom work.
- Ignoring dust collection and spray finishing safety.
- Installing without a required contractor license.
- Taking deposits too small to cover materials.
- Measuring poorly; always field-measure before building.
Your first 90 days
- Days 1-30: confirm zoning for your shop, check contractor licensing for installation, register your business and get insurance.
- Days 31-60: set up core equipment with dust collection and a safe finishing area, build display pieces and photograph them.
- Days 61-90: meet 10 remodelers and designers, quote your first projects with detailed takeoffs and track actual hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much do custom cabinets cost?
HomeGuide reports about $500 to $1,200 per linear foot installed, with a national average around $850.
Do I need a license to build cabinets?
Building cabinets in a shop usually needs a business license and proper zoning. Installing them is often contractor work requiring a license in many states.
Do I need a CNC router to start?
No. Many shops start with traditional equipment and add a CNC router when volume justifies it.
What safety rules apply to cabinet shops?
OSHA guidance on wood dust, machine guarding and fire codes for spray finishing are key. Good dust collection and ventilation are essential.
What deposit should I take?
Many shops take a deposit large enough to cover materials before ordering, with progress payments before delivery and installation.
How long does a custom kitchen take to build?
It depends on the shop’s workload, the design and finishing. Give clients realistic lead times, including measuring, design approval, building, finishing and installation.
Should I build plywood or particleboard cabinet boxes?
Many custom shops use plywood boxes for strength and screw-holding, while MDF and particleboard can suit painted work and tighter budgets. Offer clear material tiers and explain the differences so clients can choose.
Keep learning
- Cabinets and countertops industry data
- Pricing calculator
- Startup cost calculator
- All contractor tools
Sources
- HomeGuide, How much do custom cabinets cost?
- Angi, Kitchen cabinet costs
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Woodworkers
- EPA, Formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products (TSCA Title VI)
- OSHA, Wood dust
Last reviewed November 2, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.
