Custom furniture and millwork are often among the last things installed in a restaurant, but they need to be among the first things planned. Bringing a shop in at the right time protects your opening date and your budget.
Bring the shop in during design
The best time to talk to a millwork shop is while the design is still being drawn. Early input on species, construction, sizes and details can save money and catch problems, like a banquette that does not fit the final wall or a bar that needs more depth for equipment.
What to have ready
- A floor plan and, ideally, millwork drawings from your designer or architect
- Seat counts and table layout
- Equipment specs for bars and coffee stations, including power, water and drains
- Preferred species and finish, or reference photos
- Your target opening date and any fixed install window
Order of operations
- Design and pricing. Work out details, materials and budget.
- Shop drawings and approvals. Confirm dimensions, finishes and upholstery before fabrication.
- Field measurement. Built-in pieces are measured once walls, floors and soffits are in place.
- Fabrication. Pieces are built and finished in the shop while other trades work on site.
- Install. Millwork goes in after paint and flooring, before final punch and opening.
How long does it take?
It depends on scope, materials and site readiness. Two recent examples: fabrication for Little While in San Diego took five weeks with one site visit, and the shelving walls at 1X Technologies went from first call to installed in about four weeks.
Common causes of delay
- Late decisions on finish, fabric or hardware
- Site not ready for field measurement
- Equipment changes after casework is drawn
- Install windows that overlap with other trades
Tips to protect your opening
- Lock species, finish and upholstery early
- Share equipment specs before fabrication
- Plan freestanding pieces, like tables and chairs, so they can be built before the site is ready
- Keep one point of contact for millwork questions
Related guides
How a custom millwork project works · What drives millwork cost · Banquette dimensions · Coffee shop counter design
Opening a restaurant or café? See our restaurant furniture and hospitality millwork pages, or send us your plans.
Fine dining: we have built custom furniture for two Michelin-starred Sacramento restaurants, The Kitchen and Localis. See our fine dining work.