Quality Expectations
We offer several grades of trim to fit our customers’ needs. These are based on conversations with tradesmen from around the country.
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Custom Home Grade: Exceptional Craftsmanship (Recommended)
Projects typically include custom built-ins, custom shelves and cabinetry for spaces like closets, pantries, and others. Cabinets may be specially custom-built for the specific space.
Higher quality woods, such as poplar and maple are used, even for painted finishes. Other woods may be used for stained finishes, such as cherry, white oak, walnut, knotty alder, etc. Customers have the option of grain-matching woods for a more seamless look.
Joints are tight, meaning no gaps. Depending on what is needed, joints may have biscuit or pocket screws.
Even the best floor installers leave some variation in floor height, so baseboards are scribed to the floor to ensure no gaps. Crown molding and other trim is scribed to the walls and ceiling to ensure no gaps.
The finish carpenter will be scheduled to visit during framing for inspection. This may lead to suggestions for reframing to best suit the type of finishes desired. Without this walk through, the quality level drops to Home Grade.
Work may be charged hourly, estimated by piece, or a mix of both, depending on the project.
(See Examples of Custom Home Grade trim below)
No gaps
Pieces Even
Clean Lines
Detailed Trim
Pieces are scribed so there are no gaps
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Home Grade: Quality on a Budget
Pre-made cabinets may be installed from our network of high-quality suppliers.
For painted finishes, options typically include MDF or pine. Pine, Red Oak, or Knotty Alder are typically used for stained finishes at this grade.
Tight joints. Doors are hung square and level, with equal reveals on the casing. (learn more)
Crown and baseboards installed with as few gaps as possible without scribing individual pieces.
(Optional: We recommend the finish carpenter to visit during framing for inspection. This may lead to suggestions for reframing to best suit the type of finishes desired.)
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Apartment/Basic House Grade: The quick and dirty option
MDF trim is typically used at this grade. Trim has large (1/16” or larger) joint gaps expected to be filled with caulk by the painters. Doors open and close, however they may or may not be square. No consideration for reveals on window or door casings. Typically charged by linear foot or square footage.
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Mansion Grade: Heirloom Quality
The carpenter works with the designer, architect, and general contractor from the beginning of the project. This highly specialized work is generally charged hourly, or is based on commissioned individual pieces. Talk to us about your highly specialized project.
