Hi folks,

Custom cabinetmaker that mainly focuses on entryways, mudrooms, and custom closets. Fairly new to running my own show.

I've gotten a lot of requests to do closets that are semi-custom. They want features like drawers, neat layouts, but don't want to pay full custom prices. So I'm looking at finding a good closet supplier that can send me a design flat packed and I can save labor costs not having to build & paint. And save by going to wall mount systems thereby avoiding messing with carpet.

My question - is this a feasible route financially? I haven't priced out closet designs, but my concern is that I'll make no money due to high materials costs of ordering the design. Or that if I go down this road I'll get stuck doing nothing but RTA closets.

Does anyone have recommendations on custom closet manufacturers?

Thanks all.

Hey James,
We tried doing this sort of thing, however we found it was simply not of value to our company. There were headaches with design, shipping, and then a completely different method of construction. Quality wasn't what we like either.

In the end I came to realize that we need to focus on selling the heck out of what we do well and not try to build items that aren't in our wheelhouse. Though I may give a rough lineal foot price, I typically recommend clients go to a closet shop for enclosed closets. (we are high-end residential).

That's just been my experience. I'm sure there is a way to make this work, just not for us!

That's good feedback and what my intuition tells me is the route to go. The main advantage to ordering out is that I am a one man shop, so I could become more efficient at closets.

But I won't win the speed game and I much prefer sticking to higher quality, full-custom builds. I'm still eager to keep a good flow of business going, though, so still trying to strike that balance. I may have to become more comfortable passing on jobs to maintain quality.

I was of the opinion that work was work when I started out. Every job had the potential to build a customer base. How does passing on work maintain quality? Every job coming through my shop was the sent out with the highest quality I could do.

There’s not a shortage of work here. Most people look at my portfolio of work when wanting to bring me on.

So I’d like to keep quality projects in my portfolio. My concern is that if it starts filling with RTA closet projects, that’s what I’ll get more of.

Also, it’s a pricing thing too. Some clients want to pay discounted prices for these closet systems. I’m aiming to keep my price point higher and keep the quality higher than RTA closets. So I’m thinking I will try to stick to the higher quality/higher prices.

Mudrooms are higher in status than closets?

There are several companies that offer closet systems shipped ready to install. Closets are built differently than cabinets and use a lot of RTA hardware.
Whatever you do, you have to have a good system to work within and focus on what you want to do and what will be profitable. I don’t do anything with real wood, don’t do kitchens or bath cabinets. We do closets, garage cabinets, home offices and wall beds. We have a system for each and I’m very proud of the quality we put out and how fast we do it, which equals very good profit.
Linked video of install took 2 guys about 4 hours to install

Garage wal through