Custom Cabinet Builders in S. California

[Colin Len]

I know this is a little regionally specific but I also know we've got a decent amount of members down here in SoCal. I'm starting a simple garage renovation and in order to maximize space would like to go custom with my cabinets rather than use off the shelf options. I'm not interested in trying to tackle it myself as I don't have the time, experience or tools needed to achieve the result I'm after.

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for local places that do this. I'd love to work with a small, mom and pop type operation but open to chains like "California Closets" as well.

If anyone has experience or recommendations they can share, I'd love to hear it. Especially if anyone has had cabinets made with sliding, opposed to swinging, doors as that's one big requirement for me for space savings.

And since any thread is worthless without pics... the cabinets will be installed on this wall, just to the left of the window opening.




Thanks!

 

[Dave G in Gansevoort]

Just being nosy, how about more pictures of the garage? We need more…

 

[nadogail]

I have used Paul Fennel, his phone number is 858-775-4564. The last time I talked with him he was booked for the few weeks.
He has done work for me and others who were very happy with his service.
You can tell him you got his name from Gail, who lives on H Avenue in Coronado.

 

[Colin Len]

Just being nosy, how about more pictures of the garage? We need more…

Ask and ye shall receive! Although not much to see, the other walls are the same but no window/door. It's a very small garage so I'm trying to be as efficient with the space as I can.

I have used Paul Fennel, his phone number is 858-775-4564. The last time I talked with him he was booked for the few weeks.
He has done work for me and others who were very happy with his service.
You can tell him you got his name from Gail, who lives on H Avenue in Coronado.

Thanks! I'll put him on my list of options. Sounds like he's down in SD, so not super close but could make sense to drive down there to pickup.

 

[Dave G in Gansevoort]

Interesting building. Should be good for a shop. Nicer than 2 I had in the past.

 

[Colin Len]

Interesting building. Should be good for a shop. Nicer than 2 I had in the past.

It's tiny, but at least it's mine. And I'm extremely excited about finally getting to do a nice little renovation to make it nicer after having dealt with it's shortcomings for the decade I've been living here. One of the big goals is to make it more livable, in the summer it was absolutely unbearable inside and it's prone to moisture issues as well so hoping finishing the interior will resolve that.

 

[rharman]

My wife gifted me cabinets throughout the garage and a workbench w/butcher block top from Closet World. It was quite a few years ago. They also did all the closets in our remodel of 30+ years ago. Not cheap but they've worked out well. We were fortunate to have a very sharp designer who came out for both projects.

 

[klutchdust]

Builders surplus in Santa Ana has quite a variety. Also offer up has free ones from time to time as folks remodel their kitchens. Maybe check FB market place.

 

[Colin Len]

My wife gifted me cabinets throughout the garage and a workbench w/butcher block top from Closet World. It was quite a few years ago. They also did all the closets in our remodel of 30+ years ago. Not cheap but they've worked out well. We were fortunate to have a very sharp designer who came out for both projects.

Glad to see a good recommendation for them. It's hard to tell with businesses like that sometimes. I'll definitely check in with them about pricing and design. Thanks!

Builders surplus in Santa Ana has quite a variety. Also offer up has free ones from time to time as folks remodel their kitchens. Maybe check FB market place.

Thanks for the rec. I haven't heard of that place specifically but I know there are lots of custom cabinet places out in that area. Not looking for used, I know kitchen cabinets can be had for cheap. I actually had vintage metal kitchen cabinets before this project started. It was the wrong type/size of storage for me. I'm looking to go custom to maximize space - there's no way I'll find the exact shape, size and configuration I'm looking for in any sort of off the shelf design.

 

[rharman]

Glad to see a good recommendation for them. It's hard to tell with businesses like that sometimes. I'll definitely check in with them about pricing and design. Thanks!



Thanks for the rec. I haven't heard of that place specifically but I know there are lots of custom cabinet places out in that area. Not looking for used, I know kitchen cabinets can be had for cheap. I actually had vintage metal kitchen cabinets before this project started. It was the wrong type/size of storage for me. I'm looking to go custom to maximize space - there's no way I'll find the exact shape, size and configuration I'm looking for in any sort of off the shelf design.

Just some clarification - it wasn't all roses and sunshine. Granted it was 1993 for the closets - 4 in total and our master closet is pretty big. There were issues and we were on the verge of going to small claims. They had to come back several times to get it all correct but they did. In the end, we've been happy with the closets.

The garage job, done in 2004, went much smoother. We had looked at other alternatives but decided to go back to Closet World. I previously had kitchen cabinets from HomeBase (they were sort of a predecessor to Home Depot) for my workbench - uppers & lowers. Closet World did cabinets on all 4 walls of the garage including the workbench and I've been happy with them.

We were really fortunate that both designers were very sharp. We had CW come out a few years ago about a possible modification to our master closet. That designer was a new hire and not the sharpest. We ended up doing the mods on our own.

Just to let you know - they'll ask for a 50% deposit. I questioned that and checked with the the CA contractor license board. Turned out Closet World and one other contracting firm in the state have an exemption from the 10%/$1000 deposit limitation.

As mentioned.... They are not a cheap date! BTW... It's all 3/4" melamine.

 

[Colin Len]

Just some clarification - it wasn't all roses and sunshine. Granted it was 1993 for the closets - 4 in total and our master closet is pretty big. There were issues and we were on the verge of going to small claims. They had to come back several times to get it all correct but they did. In the end, we've been happy with the closets.

The garage job, done in 2004, went much smoother. We had looked at other alternatives but decided to go back to Closet World. I previously had kitchen cabinets from HomeBase (they were sort of a predecessor to Home Depot) for my workbench - uppers & lowers. Closet World did cabinets on all 4 walls of the garage including the workbench and I've been happy with them.

We were really fortunate that both designers were very sharp. We had CW come out a few years ago about a possible modification to our master closet. That designer was a new hire and not the sharpest. We ended up doing the mods on our own.

Just to let you know - they'll ask for a 50% deposit. I questioned that and checked with the the CA contractor license board. Turned out Closet World and one other contracting firm in the state have an exemption from the 10%/$1000 deposit limitation.

As mentioned.... They are not a cheap date! BTW... It's all 3/4" melamine.

Thanks for the additional context.