Reception desks, cabinets and wall panels are built in a shop and installed at the end. Without coordination, they do not fit.
In this article
What millwork includes
Reception desks, cabinets, shelving, wall panels, trims and built-in furniture.
Shop drawings
Review dimensions, materials, finishes and hardware early. Changes later are expensive.
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Field measurements
Measure after framing and drywall. Drawings are not always what was built.
Blocking
Wall-hung cabinets and panels need blocking before drywall.
Lead times
Custom millwork takes weeks. Order after approvals, not at the last minute.
Utilities
Coordinate outlets, data and plumbing that pass through millwork.
Countertops
Templates are made after base cabinets are installed. Plan the extra time.
Protection
Protect finished pieces from damage by other trades.
Getting started
Add millwork shop drawing approval, field measurement and blocking dates to the schedule at the start of the project.
Common mistakes
No field measurements, missing blocking and late shop drawing approval.
Example
A reception desk built from drawings arrived two inches too long for the real wall. The shop had to rebuild it. Since then, the contractor schedules field measurements after drywall and before final millwork production on every job.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are field measurements important for millwork?
Because millwork is built in a shop to tight tolerances. Measuring the real walls and openings after framing and drywall avoids pieces that do not fit on site.