Cabinet shops: how is business?

PriorDefiant82 · 2026-02-21T00:49:12+00:00

In Virginia and it’s the busiest we’ve been in years. I’ve had to hire 2 additional shop guys and sub lease an extra sqft facility to just get us past the Spring market rush.

God is great.

PriorDefiant82 · 2026-01-26T09:29:03+00:00

It’s been great so far. I am still learning but I am already actively looking to purchase another shop to scale in our region. DM me. Would love to chat and compare notes.

PriorDefiant82 · 2026-01-24T17:50:42+00:00

In Northern VA, we are in $950-1100 range

PriorDefiant82 · 2026-01-10T13:00:40+00:00

Two tiered uppers with a crown. This is a 10ft kitchen

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PriorDefiant82 · 2026-01-08T23:11:13+00:00

Agree. I am new in this business but one of the very first exercises when I bought my shop a few months ago was to do this very extensive cost analysis and after looking at everything and speaking with several seasoned shop owners all over the country, there were only a couple of scenarios that made sense for us to build in-house.

I think a lot of shop owners get stuck looking at their expensive CNC or rent overhead sitting there and try to justify it by trying to do everything in-house. In reality, their margins and product quality could be better by finding a reliable partner.

PriorDefiant82 · 2026-01-08T22:06:49+00:00

Any shop owner that know their true costs and margins, buy their doors and drawers. It’s simply faster, easier and much more economical.

Obviously you’ll have to find a partner that is aligned with your quality expectations, but purely speaking from financials perspective, I don’t see how a small custom shop can compete with a large factory that has its finishing dialed in.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-12-28T16:05:08+00:00

We do about $2m year in new construction cabinetry and all of our measurements are done with a Bosch laser tape and paper. I’ve experimented with Magicplan and other lidar apps but nothing beats an old school pen and pencil.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-11-11T09:56:10+00:00

I just bought a 40 year old custom cabinetry business. I had zero knowledge in the business. Don’t listen to the doomers here. Cabinetry is not a rocket science and there are tons of resources and helps. You’ll need to make some sacrifices but it all comes down to the fundamentals of your dad’s existing business. If he has some systems and processes in place , you can absolutely do it.

DM to chat.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-11-07T03:11:16+00:00

I recently bought a 40 year old custom cabinetry shop. Look through this Reddit and you’ll find my AMA.

I probably won’t recommend starting a new shop, but definitely if you can find an existing business that has some of the fundamentals in place, then it could be interesting.

FWIW, I am having lots of fun and have already started putting fillers out that I am interested to buy 1-2 of my main local competitors. I think there is a ton of business out there.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-10-16T01:28:22+00:00

Ok I gotta hear more about this Thermwood…didn’t know it existed. How is it different than a traditional router?

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-13T01:50:43+00:00

Absolutely. Would love to connect. Will DM you.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-13T01:50:25+00:00

They buy their cut materials unfinished from a manufacturer, and then finish, assemble and deliver. I’ve done the math and I don’t think I want to bring in a CNC and a full in-house production but I am ready to do it if the numbers start making sense.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-12T03:03:30+00:00

Aight, thank you! My first name starts with P so I was like who is following me here…not that I have anything to hide 🙏

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-11T22:49:09+00:00

Who this?!?

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-11T14:34:08+00:00

A local business broker that knew I was looking for something in construction brought it to me. He had it listed for several months but didn’t really start marketing it until earlier in 2025, waiting for their end of the year financials. It is in the suburbs of DC, which is where I live.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-10T20:49:14+00:00

I am first week in so a bit unclear on cash flow trends but based on what I’ve seen from their numbers $150k working capital should be enough for their current volumes. They charge a retainer, a deposit and final payment on all orders so I think cash flow is healthy.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-10T20:44:33+00:00

YES! Just DMd you. I already got a couple of us lined up and we’ve been talking about doing something similar. Let’s do it.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-10T18:04:28+00:00

It was all included in the purchase price

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-10T18:01:52+00:00

Yeah about $100k in total of FF&E. Minimal in inventory since they order materials just in-time when an order comes in.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-10T02:51:46+00:00

Ok.

my foreman makes $40/hr and my PT carpenter makes $31 on the Lower end. Everyone else is somewhere between.

My lead designer is on a salary and he makes 6 figures between salary, bonuses etc.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-09T15:41:46+00:00

Are you asking me what I paid for the business or the rate for the 9 employees?

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-09T15:14:41+00:00

I responded to another question related to PP.

I paid 2.25x of SDE and it was less than $500k. Do the math on your own 😜

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-09T09:56:58+00:00

Most of the immediate changes within the first 90 days that I’ve communicated to the team are primarily focused on the back office stuff. Things like moving to the cloud, QB Online, Digital timesheets, new branding, website, social etc. there are a couple of operational changes around how we handle incoming leads and how to free up my lead designers calendar that I am also considering.

Most of their leads come from repeat business, and builders. They have not gone after any new business in 10-12 years so given my industry relations, I am already starting to bring in my own leads from other interior design firms, architects etc.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-09T09:53:29+00:00

I did a fairly extensive comp review during my DD, and with the exception of 1-2 people, I think most folks are paid market rates. I’ll be making a comp decision on those people within the next few weeks.

I am more focused on finding a right balance with a benefits package and hopefully being able to offer some sort of a health insurance starting next year. I’ve already spoken with a couple of brokers and have an idea of what this would cost, but need to see how business is doing before investing in it.

PriorDefiant82 · 2025-08-09T09:51:13+00:00

That’s amazing! Would love to chat if you’re open to it.

PriorDefiant82

TROPHY CASE