Custom carpentry & built-ins in Somerville, Medford, Cambridge & Arlington
A lot of the built-in bookshelves, mudroom benches and window seats people save online were made for newer, square rooms. Older local houses need the opposite: storage scribed to plaster, odd alcoves and trim that's already there. I build that kind of custom carpentry—sized to the wall you actually have—so it looks finished instead of dropped in from a box.
Built-in projects I take on
- Built-in bookshelves and wall units for living rooms, offices and spaces flanking a fireplace
- Mudroom benches with cubbies, hooks and a place for shoes in entries that never had a closet
- Window seats with hinged storage under the cushion
- Closet build-outs: shelves, rods and a simple cabinet face in reach-in closets
- Pantry and linen shelving built to the opening
- Small desk alcoves and dining-nook benches
- Paint-ready or painted to match existing trim—see also interior painting
Made for older New England rooms
Triple-deckers and two-families around Somerville, Medford and Cambridge often have plaster, floors that slope a little, and walls that aren't square. A stock bookcase leaves gaps; a site-built unit gets scribed so the sides, top and base sit tight. When it helps the room read as one piece, I match baseboard and casing profiles already in the house. For door and trim repairs on their own, see trim and door carpentry. For a single floating shelf or picture hanging, shelving and picture hanging is the simpler job.
What this does not include
I don't build full kitchens, run a cabinet shop, or take on structural work such as removing walls. New wiring inside a built-in is outside my scope; swapping a light at an existing location is a separate fixture replacement. If photos show a project that belongs with a kitchen remodeler or a general contractor, I'll tell you before anyone is on site.
Service area for custom carpentry
Primary focus: Somerville, Medford, Cambridge and Arlington. I also take select jobs in Belmont, Malden, Burlington and nearby Greater Boston towns. For a walkthrough of what to photograph before you request a quote, see custom built-ins for local homes.
Frequently asked questions
- What custom carpentry and built-ins do you build?
- Site-built storage sized to the room: bookshelves and wall units, mudroom benches with cubbies, window seats, closet build-outs, pantry and linen shelving, and small desk alcoves or dining nooks. The goal is finish carpentry that looks like it belongs with the existing trim.
- Do you build full kitchen cabinets?
- No. I don’t fabricate whole kitchens or run a cabinet shop. I do site-built storage and finish carpentry in living spaces, entries, closets and baths. If the job is a full kitchen remodel, I’ll say so and you can bring in a kitchen specialist.
- Can built-ins work in an older, out-of-square house?
- Yes. Somerville triple-deckers, Medford and Cambridge two-families, and Arlington Capes often have plaster walls, uneven floors and walls that aren’t square. Built-ins get scribed to those surfaces so gaps stay tight and the piece reads as part of the room.
- Do you paint the built-ins?
- I can leave them paint-ready or paint them to match existing trim and doors. If the rest of the room needs paint at the same time, that can be quoted together with interior painting.
- Where do you do custom carpentry?
- Somerville, Medford, Cambridge, Arlington, and nearby towns including Belmont, Malden, Burlington and selective Boston jobs.
- How do I get a quote for built-ins?
- Use the quote form on the home page, choose Custom carpentry & built-ins, and send photos of the wall or closet plus any inspiration pictures. Rough width, height and depth help. I’ll follow up with questions and a written estimate.
Ready for a built-in quote?
Use the quote request form and choose "Custom carpentry & built-ins." Photos of the wall, alcove or closet—and a picture of the look you want—are enough to start. I'll follow up with a written estimate, including evenings or weekends when that works better for you.