Custom built-ins typically take 3 to 6 weeks from design approval to installation. Design drawings and revisions usually take 1 to 2 weeks before that, and the on-site installation itself is short, typically 1 to 3 days per unit, because most of the work happens in the shop rather than in your home.
The process starts with a free in-home visit to measure the space and talk through what you need to store or display. Design drawings follow, showing layout, door styles, shelving and lighting along with material and finish selections, and we revise them until the design is right. That stage usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, and it moves faster when you have a clear idea of what will go on the shelves and in the drawers, such as a TV size or the files you need to keep.
Once you sign off on the final drawings and finish samples, we confirm field measurements and wall conditions before anything is cut. Shop fabrication of the boxes, face frames, doors, drawers and shelving typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on size, material and the shop schedule. Finishing takes about another week for sanding, stain, paint or lacquer and clear coat. Matched finishes are checked against your sample before the piece leaves the shop.
Installation is the quickest part. Cabinets are set level and plumb, anchored to studs, scribed to walls and floors, and trimmed out, then hardware, lighting and final adjustments come last. Most units install in 1 to 3 days, so your room is only out of use briefly. Larger systems with several units, solid hardwood or a closely matched existing stain sit toward the longer end of the 3 to 6 week range, and we give you a schedule with your written estimate.
Answered by Legacy Construction & Design · CA License #790442 · October 2026