Cabinetry & millwork · NYC & Long Island
Custom cabinetry and millwork in NYC and Long Island
Display tables, shelving walls, and cash wraps for stores. Kitchen cabinetry, media walls, and built-ins for homes. Elite builds and installs millwork to fit the space, on the same schedule as the rest of your project.
- Commercial and residential
- Built to fit, installed by our crew
- $2M liability + $5M umbrella
- NYC & Long Island
In short: Custom millwork is cabinetry, shelving, counters, and fixtures built for a specific space instead of bought off the shelf. Installing new cabinets is on the NYC Department of Buildings list of work that needs no permit, but residential cabinet installation does require a DCWP-licensed home improvement contractor. Elite quotes every piece from your drawings or a site measure. Elite works across New York City and Long Island, where permits and licensing follow town and county rules.
Why custom
When built-to-fit millwork pays off
New York spaces rarely come in standard sizes. Custom pieces use the full wall and ceiling height that stock boxes leave empty.
Fit the space you have
Pieces are measured on site, so they fill odd walls, columns, and ceiling heights.
Built around lighting and power
Lit shelving and display cases are planned with the electrical scope, so wiring is hidden and done by a licensed electrical contractor.
One schedule, one crew
Millwork is installed by the same team building the walls and finishes, so nothing waits on a separate installer.
No DOB permit for new cabinets
Installing new cabinets is exempt from DOB permits. For homes, the contractor still needs a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license.
No permit
Installing new cabinets is on DOB’s list of work that does not need a permit.
Source: NYC DOB, Do I need a permit?
DCWP license
Residential cabinet installation over $200 requires a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license.
Stores + homes
Retail displays, shelving walls, and cash wraps, plus kitchen cabinetry, media walls, and built-ins.
Source: Elite projects
Pricing
How we price custom millwork
Elite does not publish prices. Material and labor costs change often, so every piece is quoted from your drawings or a site measure. These factors move the price most.
| Price factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Size and quantity | How much cabinetry or shelving, and how many pieces. |
| Materials and finish | Veneer, laminate, solid wood, or paint grade, plus edge and finish quality. |
| Hardware | Hinges, slides, pulls, and specialty hardware. |
| Lighting and power | Integrated lighting needs electrical work by a DOB-licensed electrical contractor. |
| Access and install | Elevator size, stairs, and building work hours affect delivery and installation. |
What we build
Millwork for stores, offices, and homes
Retail display tables
Display tables with storage drawers for sales floors.
Shelving walls
Full-height shelving systems, with or without integrated lighting.
Cash wraps and counters
Checkout counters and column wraps built to fit the floor plan.
Kitchen cabinetry
Full-height cabinets, islands, and range-hood surrounds.
Media walls and built-ins
Built-in cabinets, shelving, and media walls for living spaces.
Doors and details
Cabinet doors, panels, and trim finished to match the room.
How it works
From measure to install
- Site walk and measureWe measure on site and review your drawings, photos, or ideas.
- Line-item estimateA written estimate by piece and trade.
- Details and approvalYou approve sizes, materials, and finishes before anything is built.
- Build and installPieces are installed by our crew on the project schedule.
- Punch listWe walk every piece with you and close out adjustments.
Compare
Custom millwork vs. off-the-shelf fixtures
| Custom millwork | Off-the-shelf | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Built to the exact wall, column, and ceiling | Standard sizes with filler panels |
| Lead time | Built per project, planned into the schedule | Faster when in stock |
| Lighting and power | Planned in from the start | Added after, often surface-mounted |
| Best for | Signature displays, kitchens, built-ins | Back-of-house storage and quick refreshes |
FAQ
Common cabinetry and millwork questions
Do I need a permit to install new cabinets in NYC?
No. Installing new cabinets is on the DOB list of work that does not need a permit. For residential work, the contractor needs a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license.
How much does custom millwork cost?
It depends on size, materials, hardware, lighting, and access, and material costs change often. Call (845) 721-2515 or send drawings for a written estimate.
Can you build from my designer’s drawings?
Yes. We work from your architect’s or designer’s drawings, or from your sketches and photos, and confirm every dimension on site.
Can shelving include lighting?
Yes. Integrated lighting is planned with the electrical scope and installed by a DOB-licensed electrical contractor.
Do you do millwork for both stores and homes?
Yes. Elite builds retail displays, shelving walls, and cash wraps as well as kitchen cabinetry, media walls, and built-ins.
Free site walk & estimate
Have a piece in mind? Send us the space.
Call for a quote, or request a free site walk and a written, line-item estimate.