CalgaryCARPENTRY

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Services

What we build

27 services across six groups. Each page explains what the work involves, what drives the cost, and what to decide before you get a quote — including the cases where we would tell you not to do it.

Not sure which service you need?

Describe the space and we will tell you honestly what it needs — including if that is nothing.

Compare options

Helping you decide

Honest comparisons for the decisions that come up most often.

Custom Built-ins vs Store-Bought

Custom Built-in

  • Scribed to your actual walls
  • Plywood carcass, specified hardware
  • Built to the exact dimension
  • Lasts decades

Store-Bought Unit

  • Standard sizes with filler gaps
  • Particleboard construction
  • Limited height and width options
  • Functional but temporary

Custom wins in any non-standard space. Store-bought is fine for rentals and standard rooms.

Paint Grade vs Stain Grade

Paint Grade (MDF)

  • No seasonal movement
  • Takes paint beautifully
  • Lower material cost
  • Standard for painted millwork

Stain Grade (Solid Wood)

  • Shows natural grain
  • Higher material cost
  • Requires species selection
  • Seasonal movement to manage

Paint grade for a specific colour. Stain grade when you want to see the wood.

Solid Wood vs MDF

Solid Wood

  • Natural grain character
  • Impact-resistant
  • Can be refinished
  • Moves with humidity

MDF

  • Dimensionally stable
  • Takes paint perfectly
  • Lower cost
  • No grain to show

MDF for painted trim and doors. Solid wood for stained work and high-impact areas.

Floating Shelves vs Doored Cabinets

Floating Shelves

  • Open, airy display
  • Easy access
  • No door hardware
  • Shows everything

Doored Cabinets

  • Hidden storage
  • Clean visual
  • Dust-free interior
  • More expensive

Shelves for display. Cabinets for concealed storage. Most rooms benefit from both.

IKEA Cabinets vs Custom

IKEA / Flat-Pack

  • Lower cost
  • Fast delivery
  • Good hardware
  • Standard sizes only

Custom Built

  • Scribed to your walls
  • Plywood carcass
  • Any finish or species
  • Higher initial cost

IKEA for standard spaces and shorter stays. Custom for awkward rooms and long-term homes.

How it works

Five steps, no surprises.

Most projects run two to six weeks from the first visit. You will know which stage you are at throughout.

  1. Consultation

    We visit, measure, and talk through what the space actually needs to do. Free, and no obligation.

  2. Design & drawing

    You get elevation drawings and a fixed written price. Changing a drawing costs nothing; changing built cabinetry does not.

  3. Shop build

    Carcasses, doors and drawers built in the shop where tolerances, dust and finishing are controllable.

  4. Installation

    Levelled, fixed to structure and scribed to your walls. Usually one to three days on site.

  5. Finish & walk-through

    Filling, caulking and final coats. We walk it with you, list anything not right, and come back to correct it.

Tell us what you want to build.

Send a few details and we will come and measure. No cost, no obligation, and a fixed written price.