Your Cabinet Timeline: What Happens During Our 4–6 Week Build

One of the first questions every homeowner asks us is: “How long will my cabinets take?” At Foundry Cabinet Co., a typical custom cabinet project runs 4–6 weeks from approved drawings — built start to finish in our Portland shop. Here is exactly what happens during those weeks, so you know what to expect at every stage.

One important note before the walkthrough: the design and consultation phase happens before the clock starts. Approved drawings are day one. (More on that below.)

Before the Clock Starts: Design & Consultation

Every project begins with a free consultation. We discuss your goals, take site measurements, and produce detailed shop drawings using CabinetSense and SketchUp — including 3D visualization so you can see your kitchen, bath, or built-in before a single board is cut.

You review the drawings, we revise together, and once you approve the final design, the 4–6 week build clock starts. This front-loaded design work is what keeps the build itself on schedule — there are no surprises mid-project because every detail was decided up front. Want the full picture? See our process.

Week 1: Final Measurements, Drawings & Material Order

Week one is all about preparation:

• Final field measurements confirm every dimension of your space.
• Shop drawings are finalized for the build team — cut lists, joinery details, hardware placements.
• Materials are ordered — hardwoods, sheet goods, hinges, drawer slides, and specialty hardware.
• CNC programming begins — every part is nested and programmed for our in-house AES CNC router.

Nothing is rushed here. Precision in week one is what makes weeks two through six smooth.

Weeks 2–3: CNC Cutting, Joinery & Assembly

This is where your cabinets take physical shape in our Portland shop:

• CNC cutting — every panel, door, and drawer part is cut to exact dimensions on our AES CNC router.
• Joinery — parts are edge-banded, doweled, dadoed, and joined using proper cabinetmaking joinery, not shortcuts.
• Assembly — carcasses are glued, clamped, and squared, then test-fit before finishing.

Because everything is cut in-house, we control tolerances to a fraction of an inch — and if something needs adjusting, the fix happens steps away, not weeks away.

Week 4: Hand Finishing

Finishing is done entirely in-house, by hand:

• Cabinets are sanded, stained or painted, and sealed with durable shop-grade finishes.
• Each piece is inspected between coats for an even, furniture-quality result.
• Finished parts get proper cure time before handling and installation.

A shop-applied finish is harder, smoother, and more consistent than anything that can be applied on site — and it is one of the biggest differences between custom cabinetry and off-the-shelf boxes.

Weeks 5–6: Delivery, Installation & Walkthrough

• Delivery — your finished cabinets are transported carefully to your home.
• Installation by our own crew — not subcontractors. The same team that built your cabinets installs them, so fit and finish questions get resolved on the spot.
• Final walkthrough — we go through every door, drawer, and detail with you to make sure everything operates perfectly.

Every project is backed by our 1-year workmanship warranty against manufacturing defects.

Timelines Vary by Project Size

The 4–6 week window covers a typical kitchen or multi-room project. Smaller jobs — a single vanity, a set of floating shelves, a compact built-in — often move faster, while large or highly detailed projects can run longer. We will give you a realistic schedule for your specific project during your free consultation.

Ready to Start Your Project?

The first step is a conversation, not a commitment. Contact us for a free consultation — call (360) 606-1106 or email scott@foundrycabinets.com. And if you want the step-by-step version of how we work from first call to final walkthrough, read our process page.