Custom Carpentry and Built-ins
Your home, how you want it
Custom carpentry, trim, and built-in features designed for the space you live in.
Zischke Builders provides custom carpentry and finish work for homeowners in the greater Lansing area, from built-in cabinetry and shelving to trim, wall treatments, stair details, and other architectural features.
Some projects solve a specific storage or space problem. Others are the details that make a larger remodel feel finished. In both cases, the work starts with the home rather than a standard product.
Why Custom?
Some spaces need something made for them.
Existing homes are full of spaces that don’t fit neatly into standard dimensions. A wall may be too narrow for store-bought shelving. An entry may need storage without losing floor space. A staircase may need new railings and finish details. A room may need trim or paneling that works with what is already there.
Custom carpentry gives us the ability to work around the actual dimensions, architecture, and use of the space.
Make life easier
Better use of space
Make use of niches, corners, walls and areas that standard furniture does not handle well.
A better fit
Build around existing walls, trim, floors, stairs and architectural conditions.
More useful rooms
Create storage, work areas, seating, display space or other features designed for a specific need.
A more complete finish
Use trim, paneling, railings and other details to help new work feel like part of the house.
What we build
Built-Ins & Custom Storage
Custom features designed around the room and how it needs to function.
Built-in bookcases
Entertainment centers
Home-office desks and shelving
Mudroom and entry storage
Bedroom storage
Pantry shelving
Custom cabinetry
Benches and window seating
Display and specialty shelving
Trim & Architectural Details
Finish work that shapes how new construction meets the rest of the home.
Baseboards
Crown molding
Door and window trim
Wainscoting
Wall paneling
Decorative trim
Casing and transitions
Ceiling details
Other architectural woodwork
Stairs & Railings
Carpentry and finish details associated with existing stairways and remodeling projects.
Stair treads
Stair trim and skirts
Railings
Balusters
Newel posts
Guardrails
Staircase finish upgrades
Stair rebuilding as part of appropriate remodeling projects
Custom Features
One-off details that do not necessarily fit neatly into another category.
Fireplace mantels and surrounds
Specialty wall treatments
Bars
Wine-room carpentry
Custom niches
Cabinet modifications
Specialty trim
Project-specific millwork
If you have something specific in mind that is not listed here, the best starting point is to show us the space and explain what you are trying to accomplish. CLick the button below and fill out the contact for in detail or call us at (517) 242-4353.
Review of a room transformation
“Highly recommend Zischke Builders! I am so incredibly impressed with the work of Jesse and the team including GT, Jeremy, and Sarah. The craftsmanship is absolutely outstanding. This project was an office remodel, to add a built in bookcase and wainscoting around the room. Communication was also excellent and everyone was wonderful to work with! Everyone I worked with was an expert at their craft, and I hope to do future projects with the team!”
— Joy LiuA built-in can turn an unused wall into a home office, replace furniture that never quite fit, create entertainment storage, give an entry a place for coats and shoes or make use of a niche that otherwise serves no purpose. A built in cabinet or shelf could sport hidden drawers or storage. We also make all of our peices easy to open and close.
Because these projects are designed around the room, they can often accomplish more with the same amount of space than freestanding furniture.
Stairs, Trim and Architectural Details
Trim, stairs, railings, wall treatments and other finish work influence how a remodel feels long after the major construction is complete.
Zischke Builders can incorporate those details into larger remodeling projects or consider appropriate stand-alone finish-carpentry work.
That may include new railings and stair details, wainscoting, wall paneling, crown molding, trim transitions or specialty carpentry designed around a particular home.
Finish carpentry makes your big remodeling look truly finished!
A built-in bookcase or new railing may be a focused project on its own. In other cases, cabinetry, trim, wall treatments, stairs or custom storage are part of a much larger kitchen, basement or remodeling project.
Because Zischke Builders combines general contracting with finish-carpentry capability, those details can be planned alongside the rest of the work rather than added after the major construction is complete.
What happens next?
Measure and understand the space
Our owner measures and estimates each project personally. For custom work, accurate dimensions and an understanding of the surrounding room are especially important.
Work through the solution
We consider how the feature will be used, what needs to fit, the existing architecture and the details that will affect the finished work.
Build before installation when practical
Depending on the project, significant portions may be fabricated away from the home before installation.
Fit and finish the work
The final installation includes the details that tie the project into the surrounding room, including trim, transitions, hardware and finish work as appropriate.
Questions about custom carpentry and finish work
What kinds of custom carpentry does Zischke Builders do?
Zischke Builders provides custom built-ins, cabinetry, shelving, trim, wainscoting, wall paneling, stair and railing work, specialty storage and other finish-carpentry features for Greater Lansing homes.
Do you only do built-ins?
No. Built-ins are a major part of our custom work, but Zischke also handles trim, architectural details, wall treatments, stair and railing finish work, and other custom carpentry. We even do ceiling treatments!
Do you take on stand-alone carpentry projects?
Yes. Zischke considers appropriate stand-alone custom carpentry projects as well as finish work incorporated into larger remodeling projects.
Can you work with an unusual or awkward space?
Yes. Designing around unusual dimensions, niches, corners and other existing conditions is one of the main reasons custom carpentry can be useful.
Can you match existing trim or details?
Often, yes. Existing trim, baseboards, surrounding cabinetry and other finishes are considered when developing the project.
Do you work on staircases and railings?
Yes. Zischke can handle stair and railing finish work such as treads, trim, railings, balusters and newel posts. More extensive structural stair changes are evaluated as part of the overall remodeling scope.
Do you install wainscoting and wall paneling?
Yes. Wainscoting, wall paneling and other architectural wall treatments are part of Zischke’s finish-carpentry capabilities.
Is everything built inside the home?
Not necessarily. Depending on the project, significant portions may be fabricated off-site and brought to the home for installation and final fitting.
How much does custom carpentry cost?
Pricing depends on the dimensions, materials, complexity, finish and installation requirements. Zischke develops pricing after understanding the space and project.
Where do you provide custom carpentry services?
Zischke Builders is based in Mason and works throughout the greater Lansing area, including Holt, Okemos, DeWitt, Williamston, Grand Ledge and surrounding Mid-Michigan communities.
Have a space that needs something more specific?
Show us the room and tell us what you want it to do differently. We’ll review the project and help determine whether a custom carpentry solution makes sense.
