Custom Carpentry & Built-Ins in Wichita, KS
TC Carpentry & Construction designs and builds custom built-ins for Wichita homes, including bookcases, entertainment walls, mudroom lockers, window seats, and cabinetry sized to fit your space exactly. You get a clear price and timeline before any work begins.
How Much Do Custom Built-Ins Cost?
Most custom built-ins cost about $300 to $850 per linear foot for paint-grade work, and $500 to $1,200 or more per linear foot when they include cabinet doors, drawers, lighting, or stain-grade hardwood. A small alcove or window seat often lands around $1,500 to $4,000, while a full entertainment or fireplace wall can run $8,000 to $20,000 or more.
| Project Type | Typical Cost Range | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Alcove Shelves, Window Seat, or Floating Shelves | $1,500 – $4,000 | 1 – 2 weeks |
| One-Wall Bookcase, Office, or Mudroom Lockers | $3,500 – $9,000 | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Full Entertainment or Fireplace Wall | $8,000 – $20,000+ | 3 – 6 weeks |
These ranges are based on 2026 national cost data for custom built-ins, since local pricing for this kind of work is not widely published. They are not a quote for your project. Your actual cost depends on size, materials, and features like doors, drawers, and lighting. Timelines include building and installation. For a full breakdown, see our custom built-ins cost guide.
What Affects the Cost of Custom Built-Ins?
Built-ins are priced mostly by size and detail. These are the choices that move the number.
- Linear footage and height. A floor-to-ceiling wall uses more material and takes longer to build and install than a waist-high unit.
- Paint-grade or stain-grade. Painted MDF and poplar cost less than stained oak, maple, or walnut, which need better stock and more finishing time. See paint-grade vs. stain-grade.
- Doors, drawers, and hardware. Open shelving is the simplest option. Every door and drawer adds material, labor, and hardware.
- Lighting and outlets. Shelf lighting, TV connections, and charging outlets need electrical work, which we coordinate with a licensed electrician.
- Walls that aren't square. Most walls aren't perfectly straight. Scribing a built-in to fit tight against uneven walls and ceilings takes extra time, and it's the difference between custom work and a store-bought unit.
Where Do Built-Ins Make the Most Sense?
Built-ins work best in spots where freestanding furniture never fits quite right. The most common places we build them are living room entertainment walls, the space around a fireplace, home offices, mudrooms and entryways, window seats and reading nooks, and under-stair storage. For entryway ideas, see our mudroom built-ins guide.
Because they're built for the room, built-ins can use the full height of a wall, wrap around windows, and fill awkward corners. They also stay with the house, so we design them to suit the home's style rather than a passing trend.
Our Custom Carpentry Process
Every built-in we make follows the same two phases, planning and building. Here's what happens in each.
Planning: Designing Around Your Space
- Consultation and measuring: we look at the space in person, talk through how you'll use it, and take detailed measurements.
- Design and layout: we lay out shelf spacing, cabinets, drawers, and any lighting so you can see how it will work before we build.
- Materials and finish: we help you choose paint-grade or stain-grade materials, door styles, and hardware for your budget.
- Price and timeline: you get a clear quote and schedule before work begins.
Building: From Shop to Finished Install
- Building: we build the cabinetry and components in-house to your measurements.
- Site prep: we protect your floors and furniture and handle any electrical rough-in with a licensed electrician.
- Installation: each piece is installed, leveled, and scribed to your walls, floor, and ceiling for a tight fit.
- Trim and finish: trim, crown, and filler pieces tie the built-in into the room, followed by paint or stain.
- Final walkthrough: we go through the finished work with you, and if something isn't right, we fix it.
What's Included
- Built-in bookcases & shelving
- Entertainment & fireplace walls
- Mudroom lockers & entry benches
- Window seats & reading nooks
- Home office built-ins
- Custom cabinetry & vanities
See Our Custom Carpentry Projects Around Wichita
Completed built-in projects, with scope, timeline, and investment range for each.
Wichita built-ins on the way
We're adding completed custom carpentry projects to this gallery. Call us to see examples in the meantime.
Custom Carpentry FAQs
How much do custom built-ins cost?
Custom built-ins typically cost about $300 to $850 per linear foot for paint-grade work, and $500 to $1,200 or more per linear foot with doors, drawers, lighting, or stain-grade hardwood. A small alcove or window seat often runs $1,500 to $4,000, and a full entertainment or fireplace wall can run $8,000 to $20,000 or more. We give you an exact price after measuring your space.
What is the difference between paint-grade and stain-grade built-ins?
Paint-grade built-ins use materials like MDF and poplar that take paint well and cost less. Stain-grade built-ins use hardwoods like oak, maple, or walnut, where the wood grain shows through, which costs more in material and finishing time.
How long does it take to build and install custom built-ins?
Smaller pieces like alcove shelves or a window seat typically take 1 to 2 weeks from start to finish. A full wall of built-ins can take 3 to 6 weeks, depending on size, finish, and hardware lead times.
Can you add lighting and outlets to built-ins?
Yes. Shelf lighting, TV connections, and charging outlets can be built in. We coordinate that work with a licensed electrician, and new circuits may require a permit.
Are built-ins better than buying furniture?
Built-ins cost more than store-bought furniture, but they fit the space exactly, use the full height of a wall, and stay with the house. They make the most sense in spots where freestanding pieces never fit well, like alcoves, around fireplaces, and in mudrooms.
Do you build cabinetry for kitchens and bathrooms too?
Yes. We build custom cabinetry and vanities as part of our kitchen and bathroom remodeling work, and we also install quality pre-made cabinetry when that's the better fit for the project.
Custom Carpentry Guides
Answers to the questions Wichita homeowners ask most before adding built-ins.
Ready to talk through your built-in project?
Tell us about the space, and we'll personally follow up to schedule your free consultation.