Custom Cabinetry
& Built-Ins
Custom built-ins transform a room from functional to intentional — built-in bookshelves, home offices, mudroom systems, entertainment centers, and closet organizers designed and built to fit your specific space and style.
Chicago’s Trusted
Custom Cabinetry Contractor
Custom built-ins require finish carpentry expertise — precise measuring, scribing to walls that are never perfectly plumb, matching existing trim profiles, and finishing to a standard that looks like it was always part of the house. Lee & Sam is a licensed general contractor serving Chicago, the suburbs, and Northwest Indiana.
Our team brings 25+ years of carpentry and cabinetry expertise to every built-in project. We design, build, and install — or work with your selected cabinetry line and custom-fit it to your space.
Serving all 55 Chicago neighborhoods — from Lincoln Park to Hyde Park — plus the North Shore, Western and South suburbs, and Northwest Indiana.
Every Built-In Project
We Build
Built-In Bookshelves
Floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves with adjustable shelving, integrated lighting, and base cabinet storage — scribing perfectly to walls, floors, and ceilings for a seamless fit.
Home Office Built-Ins
Custom desk, shelving, file storage, and cabinetry systems designed around your workflow — with integrated cable management and task lighting.
Mudroom Built-Ins
Bench seating, cubbies, hooks, cabinet storage, and lockers — custom designed for your family's daily flow and built to withstand Chicago weather gear year-round.
Entertainment Centers & Media Walls
Custom media walls with integrated TV mounting, component storage, speaker surrounds, and flanking cabinetry or shelving — wired for modern AV systems.
Closet Systems
Custom closet organizers in master bedrooms, walk-in closets, and reach-in closets — double hanging, shelving, drawer units, and shoe storage configured for your wardrobe.
Cabinet Refacing & Painting
Transform existing kitchen or bathroom cabinets without a full remodel — new doors, drawer fronts, and hardware with a fresh paint or stain finish on existing boxes.
Our Built-In Cabinetry
Process
Design & Measurement
We measure your space precisely — walls, ceilings, floors, outlets, and any obstacles — then develop a detailed design showing exactly how the built-in will look and function.
Material Selection
You select wood species, finish, hardware, and any special details. We source all materials and custom components, providing a lead time and installation schedule before work begins.
Installation
Built-ins are constructed on-site or delivered as pre-built components and installed with precision — scribing, shimming, and trimming to fit your specific space perfectly.
Finishing & Touch-Up
All nail holes filled, all joints caulked, and all painted surfaces finish-coated on site. We walk through the completed built-in with you before closing out.
Custom Cabinetry Across
Chicago & Chicagoland
Built-In Projects
Across Chicago
Custom Built-In
FAQs
Have more questions? We're happy to walk through your built-in project in detail.
Call Us NowCustom built-ins are built specifically for your space — any dimension, any configuration, scribing to your walls. Semi-custom uses standard cabinet boxes modified to fit. We offer both depending on your budget and requirements.
Yes — we profile-match existing base, crown, and casing so the built-in looks like original architecture rather than an addition. This is one of the details that separates a professional built-in from a DIY one.
A single built-in bookcase or home office typically takes 3–7 days on-site. Larger mudroom systems or media walls take 5–10 days. Lead time for custom cabinetry components is typically 3–6 weeks.
Most built-in cabinetry does not require permits. Electrical work for integrated lighting or outlets within the built-in does require a permit — we handle electrical coordination as part of the project scope.
Every custom cabinetry project is different. We've completed work across a wide range of budgets — from targeted updates to complete gut rehabs — and we build our estimates around what you actually need, not a one-size-fits-all number. The best way to get an honest figure is a consultation where we walk the space together.
Ready to Start Your
Custom Cabinetry Project?
Get a free, detailed estimate from Chicago's trusted cabinetry contractor.