Arlington Custom Cabinets: Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing depends on the size of the project, the materials you select, the door style, the finish, and the complexity of the design. We provide a detailed, itemized quote after your free consultation so you know exactly what everything costs before any work begins. There are no hidden fees. The price we quote includes design, materials, fabrication, and professional installation.

Yes. We have completed projects in many of Arlington's condo and apartment buildings, from high-rises in Rosslyn and Crystal City to mid-rises in Ballston and Clarendon. We are experienced with freight elevator scheduling, building management coordination, noise restriction hours, and the logistics of working in shared buildings. We handle all the coordination with your building so the process is smooth for you and your neighbors.

One of our designers visits your home, looks at the space, takes measurements, and talks with you about what you need. We discuss layout options, materials, door styles, finishes, and any specific storage challenges you want to solve. The visit usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes. There is no cost and no obligation.

Timelines vary based on the size and complexity of the project. After you approve the final design and we take measurements, we provide a written schedule before starting any work. Most kitchen projects take a few weeks from fabrication through installation. We send you regular updates throughout the process so you always know where things stand.

Absolutely. We offer a wide selection of wood species, door styles, stain colors, paint finishes, and hardware options. During your consultation, your designer walks you through all the choices so you can pick exactly what fits your taste and budget. If you have something specific in mind that we do not carry, we can source it for you.

We build everything ourselves. Our cabinetmakers handle every step of the fabrication process. We do not outsource production to third-party factories or overseas manufacturers. What we design is what we build, and what we build is what we install in your home.

Yes. Professional installation by our own crew is always included in the quoted price. We never subcontract installation to outside crews. Our installers are the same team that built your cabinets, so they know every detail of the project.

Yes. Every cabinet we build comes with a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee for as long as you own your home and the cabinets remain in their original location. All hardware and materials also carry their respective manufacturer warranties. If anything we built fails due to workmanship, we repair or replace it at no cost to you.

Yes. Every project includes 3D design renderings at no additional charge. You see exactly what your cabinets will look like in your space before we cut a single board. We go through as many revisions as needed until the design is exactly what you want.

We serve all of Northern Virginia including Falls Church, Alexandria, McLean, Tysons, Fairfax, Annandale, Springfield, Vienna, and the surrounding communities. We also take on projects in Bethesda, MD and Washington, D.C. If you are not sure whether we cover your area, give us a call and we will let you know.

Custom kitchen cabinets in Northern Virginia typically cost between $500 and $1,200 per linear foot installed. For a standard 10x10 kitchen with approximately 20 linear feet of cabinetry, that works out to roughly $15,000 to $35,000 depending on the wood species, door style, finish, and hardware selected. High-end projects using exotic hardwoods, custom glazing, or specialty features like integrated lighting and appliance panels can exceed $50,000. Stock cabinets in the same kitchen would run $2,000 to $6,000, and semi-custom cabinets $4,000 to $13,000. We provide a detailed written estimate after every free in-home consultation so you know the exact cost before any work begins.

From the time you approve the design and we take final measurements, most kitchen cabinet projects take 6 to 10 weeks for fabrication and 2 to 5 days for on-site installation. Smaller projects like a single bathroom vanity or a set of mudroom cubbies can be completed in 3 to 4 weeks total. Larger whole-home projects involving multiple rooms typically take 12 to 16 weeks. We provide a written schedule before starting any project and keep you updated with weekly progress reports throughout the build.

Stock cabinets are factory-made in fixed sizes with limited material and finish options. They typically cost $100 to $300 per linear foot installed and are available in 3-inch width increments, which often leaves gaps that require filler strips. Semi-custom cabinets offer more size flexibility and finish choices but are still manufactured in a factory from predetermined configurations, usually running $150 to $650 per linear foot. Custom cabinets are built one at a time to your exact measurements using your choice of wood species, construction method, door style, and finish. They typically cost $500 to $1,200 per linear foot but eliminate filler panels, wasted space, and material compromises entirely.

Yes. Plywood cabinet boxes last 3 to 5 times longer than particle board in real-world kitchen conditions. Particle board is made from wood chips held together with resin, and it swells permanently when exposed to moisture. In a kitchen with a dishwasher, sink, or ice maker, moisture exposure is unavoidable over time. The screws holding hinges and drawer slides into particle board gradually lose grip as the material degrades, leading to sagging doors and misaligned drawers. Plywood holds fasteners permanently, resists moisture, and supports significantly heavier loads without bowing. The cost difference is typically 10 to 15 percent of the total project price, but the difference in durability over a 20 to 30 year lifespan is substantial.

Standard cabinet replacement where you are swapping existing cabinets for new ones in the same location does not typically require a building permit in Virginia. However, if your project involves any electrical work such as adding under-cabinet lighting or relocating outlets, any plumbing changes such as moving a sink or adding a dishwasher line, or any structural modifications such as removing a wall or enlarging an opening, separate electrical, plumbing, and building permits will be required. In Arlington County, permit applications can be submitted online through the Arlington County Permit Center at permits.arlingtonva.us or in person at 2100 Clarendon Blvd. In Fairfax County, permits are handled through the PLUS system. We coordinate all necessary permits as part of every project so you do not need to handle the process yourself.

Yes. According to industry data, a kitchen cabinet replacement typically returns approximately 70 percent of the project cost in increased home value, with an average home value increase of around 5 percent. In Northern Virginia's competitive real estate market, where median home prices exceed $600,000 in most communities, that 5 percent translates to $30,000 or more in added value. Kitchen renovations consistently rank as the highest-impact improvement for resale value, ahead of bathroom remodels, which return approximately 60 to 70 percent. Beyond resale, updated cabinets also help homes sell faster, which is often just as valuable as the price increase itself.

The average return on investment for a kitchen remodel in Northern Virginia is approximately 70 to 75 percent, meaning a $30,000 kitchen cabinet project would add roughly $21,000 to $22,500 in home value at resale. This is higher than the national average of approximately 60 to 65 percent, largely because of the strong demand for updated homes in the Northern Virginia market. Cabinet refacing projects return approximately 65 to 75 percent of their cost. Minor kitchen remodels that focus on cabinet and countertop replacement without changing the layout tend to have the highest ROI, sometimes exceeding 80 percent.

Yes, in most cases cabinets can be installed over an existing tile backsplash. We use longer screws to penetrate through the tile and tile backer board into the wall studs behind, which provides a secure anchor point. The key is ensuring the screws reach at least 1.5 inches into the stud, which typically requires 3 to 3.5 inch screws when going through tile. If the tile is uneven or the grout lines create an unstable surface, we use furring strips or shims to create a flat mounting plane. In some cases, particularly with thick stone tile, it may be more practical to remove a section of tile behind the cabinets for a cleaner installation. We assess this during the in-home consultation and include any necessary prep work in the project estimate.

A properly installed wall-mounted kitchen cabinet secured to wall studs with appropriate hardware can safely hold 50 to 75 pounds per linear foot, or approximately 150 to 300 pounds per standard 36-inch cabinet depending on the cabinet construction and mounting method. Our cabinets use a French cleat or cabinet screw mounting system that distributes weight across the full length of the cabinet back and anchors directly into wall studs. Plywood-backed cabinets hold significantly more weight than those with hardboard or cardboard backs. For cabinets holding especially heavy items like cast iron cookware, stand mixers, or canned goods, we reinforce the mounting with additional structural screws and blocking. We always recommend distributing heavy items across the bottom shelf of wall cabinets for the most stable weight distribution.

Any home built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and the EPA requires that all renovation work in these homes be performed by EPA-certified renovators following the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule. Our team is RRP-certified and follows all required containment, dust control, and cleanup procedures when working in homes that may have lead paint. This includes sealing off the work area with plastic sheeting, using HEPA-filtered equipment for dust control, and conducting thorough post-work cleaning and verification. If asbestos-containing materials such as old floor tiles, pipe insulation, or textured ceilings are present in or adjacent to the work area, we coordinate with a licensed asbestos abatement contractor before beginning any cabinet work. We assess these conditions during the initial consultation so that any required remediation is factored into the project timeline and estimate upfront.

Custom kitchen cabinets in Northern Virginia typically cost between $500 and $1,200 per linear foot installed. For a standard 10x10 kitchen with approximately 20 linear feet of cabinetry, that works out to roughly $15,000 to $35,000 depending on the wood species, door style, finish, and hardware selected. High-end projects using exotic hardwoods, custom glazing, or specialty features like integrated lighting and appliance panels can exceed $50,000. Stock cabinets in the same kitchen would run $2,000 to $6,000, and semi-custom cabinets $4,000 to $13,000. We provide a detailed written estimate after every free in-home consultation so you know the exact cost before any work begins.

From the time you approve the design and we take final measurements, most kitchen cabinet projects take 6 to 10 weeks for fabrication and 2 to 5 days for on-site installation. Smaller projects like a single bathroom vanity or a set of mudroom cubbies can be completed in 3 to 4 weeks total. Larger whole-home projects involving multiple rooms typically take 12 to 16 weeks. We provide a written schedule before starting any project and keep you updated with weekly progress reports throughout the build.

Stock cabinets are factory-made in fixed sizes with limited material and finish options. They typically cost $100 to $300 per linear foot installed and are available in 3-inch width increments, which often leaves gaps that require filler strips. Semi-custom cabinets offer more size flexibility and finish choices but are still manufactured in a factory from predetermined configurations, usually running $150 to $650 per linear foot. Custom cabinets are built one at a time to your exact measurements using your choice of wood species, construction method, door style, and finish. They typically cost $500 to $1,200 per linear foot but eliminate filler panels, wasted space, and material compromises entirely.

Yes. Plywood cabinet boxes last 3 to 5 times longer than particle board in real-world kitchen conditions. Particle board is made from wood chips held together with resin, and it swells permanently when exposed to moisture. In a kitchen with a dishwasher, sink, or ice maker, moisture exposure is unavoidable over time. The screws holding hinges and drawer slides into particle board gradually lose grip as the material degrades, leading to sagging doors and misaligned drawers. Plywood holds fasteners permanently, resists moisture, and supports significantly heavier loads without bowing. The cost difference is typically 10 to 15 percent of the total project price, but the difference in durability over a 20 to 30 year lifespan is substantial.

Standard cabinet replacement where you are swapping existing cabinets for new ones in the same location does not typically require a building permit in Virginia. However, if your project involves any electrical work such as adding under-cabinet lighting or relocating outlets, any plumbing changes such as moving a sink or adding a dishwasher line, or any structural modifications such as removing a wall or enlarging an opening, separate electrical, plumbing, and building permits will be required. In Arlington County, permit applications can be submitted online through the Arlington County Permit Center at permits.arlingtonva.us or in person at 2100 Clarendon Blvd. In Fairfax County, permits are handled through the PLUS system. We coordinate all necessary permits as part of every project so you do not need to handle the process yourself.

Yes. According to industry data, a kitchen cabinet replacement typically returns approximately 70 percent of the project cost in increased home value, with an average home value increase of around 5 percent. In Northern Virginia's competitive real estate market, where median home prices exceed $600,000 in most communities, that 5 percent translates to $30,000 or more in added value. Kitchen renovations consistently rank as the highest-impact improvement for resale value, ahead of bathroom remodels, which return approximately 60 to 70 percent. Beyond resale, updated cabinets also help homes sell faster, which is often just as valuable as the price increase itself.

The average return on investment for a kitchen remodel in Northern Virginia is approximately 70 to 75 percent, meaning a $30,000 kitchen cabinet project would add roughly $21,000 to $22,500 in home value at resale. This is higher than the national average of approximately 60 to 65 percent, largely because of the strong demand for updated homes in the Northern Virginia market. Cabinet refacing projects return approximately 65 to 75 percent of their cost. Minor kitchen remodels that focus on cabinet and countertop replacement without changing the layout tend to have the highest ROI, sometimes exceeding 80 percent.

Yes, in most cases cabinets can be installed over an existing tile backsplash. We use longer screws to penetrate through the tile and tile backer board into the wall studs behind, which provides a secure anchor point. The key is ensuring the screws reach at least 1.5 inches into the stud, which typically requires 3 to 3.5 inch screws when going through tile. If the tile is uneven or the grout lines create an unstable surface, we use furring strips or shims to create a flat mounting plane. In some cases, particularly with thick stone tile, it may be more practical to remove a section of tile behind the cabinets for a cleaner installation. We assess this during the in-home consultation and include any necessary prep work in the project estimate.

A properly installed wall-mounted kitchen cabinet secured to wall studs with appropriate hardware can safely hold 50 to 75 pounds per linear foot, or approximately 150 to 300 pounds per standard 36-inch cabinet depending on the cabinet construction and mounting method. Our cabinets use a French cleat or cabinet screw mounting system that distributes weight across the full length of the cabinet back and anchors directly into wall studs. Plywood-backed cabinets hold significantly more weight than those with hardboard or cardboard backs. For cabinets holding especially heavy items like cast iron cookware, stand mixers, or canned goods, we reinforce the mounting with additional structural screws and blocking. We always recommend distributing heavy items across the bottom shelf of wall cabinets for the most stable weight distribution.

Any home built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and the EPA requires that all renovation work in these homes be performed by EPA-certified renovators following the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule. Our team is RRP-certified and follows all required containment, dust control, and cleanup procedures when working in homes that may have lead paint. This includes sealing off the work area with plastic sheeting, using HEPA-filtered equipment for dust control, and conducting thorough post-work cleaning and verification. If asbestos-containing materials such as old floor tiles, pipe insulation, or textured ceilings are present in or adjacent to the work area, we coordinate with a licensed asbestos abatement contractor before beginning any cabinet work. We assess these conditions during the initial consultation so that any required remediation is factored into the project timeline and estimate upfront.