Working With a Carpenter on Built-In Furniture
AdvisorLB Team
Built-in furniture is where most apartment renovation budgets quietly overflow. The cure is a written specification, not a longer conversation.
Specify the materials
- Carcass: 18 mm MDF (E1 emission grade) or 18 mm plywood for wet areas.
- Front: lacquered MDF, melamine, veneer or solid wood — each at a different price tier.
- Hinges and drawer runners: brand and series name (Blum, Hettich, Häfele are common references).
- Edge banding: 2 mm PVC for high-traffic edges to avoid chipping.
Specify the dimensions
Provide a 1:50 plan of the room with all openings, sockets and HVAC penetrations. The carpenter then issues a shop drawing — review it before any cut is made.
Specify the finishes
- For lacquer: number of coats (typically 3 base + 2 top), sheen (matte/satin/gloss), and color code (RAL, NCS or Pantone).
- For veneer: species, grain direction, book-matching or slip-matching.
Payment and acceptance
- 30% on order, 40% at delivery on-site, 30% after snag-list is fully closed.
- Final inspection in daylight — bring a flashlight to check the inside of each cabinet.
Reputable Lebanese carpenters typically guarantee workmanship for at least two years and the hinge brand's own warranty (often 5+ years) on hardware.