I just had a meeting with a potential customer today. They would like a custom built-in bookcase and desk. Simple explanation is 2 bookcases on each side of a built-in desk. I plan to make 5 individual sections, then use a face frame to make it look as 1. The total size is 8’6″ tall by a total length of 15’5″. I was planning to do all the stain and finish in my shop prior to installing.
A few questions for those with more experience, how do I attach things to the wall but hide the attaching screws?
I have estimated labor at $1200, does that seem about right? I dont do this for a living, just on the side.
I would normally us pocket hole screws and plug them to attach the face frame, but I wouldn’t be able to finish it until installed. How else could it be done?
Replies
It depends on your design but there are a couple tricks.
You could hang them on French cleats (my favorite for casework) and then add trim between the case and wall if needed.
You could make some of the shelves loose (in dados or something) so you can put the screws in a place the shelf will cover, then slide the shelf in with a little glue before attaching the face frames. If you’re not intending to install the face frames on site you could do something similar with regular removable shelves.
Or you could just screw them in from a bit of extra length on the top and bottom like many kitchen cabinets are installed. If it’s up at the ceiling or down on the floor, it’ll never be seen but you can always add trim as well.
$1200 seems pretty low to me for something that big but it all depends on how your shop is set up and how quickly you could do it. I know for me just taking a guess at how long it would take, that would be below the hourly rate I shoot for.
Check out mike farrington He has a utube channel as well as featured in fine woodworking magazine he will be able to answer any questions you may have.hope this helps cheers.
I use 3” cabinet mounting screws your can get them in brown/bronze or black. I’ve never found them noticeable enough to worry about.
If you are really that worried about it, countersink and plugs.
My thinking is $1200 = 30 hrs labor max, and that’s someone who has a day job, not making a living at it.
I would think the $1200 wouldn't even cover the staining and finishing. I'd avoid setting a fixed price since you're not experienced at estimating. Nothing is more disheartening than realizing you've burned through all the labor budget and are only half way through. I suggest you settle on a slightly below market hourly rate and give frequent updates on your progress.
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