Description
Fabricate, assemble, finish, and install custom cabinets, casework, and millwork made of wood, plywood, veneers, and laminates. Read shop drawings and cut lists; operate woodworking machinery and hand tools; fit and adjust doors, drawers, and hardware; and perform precise on-site installation and repairs. May also build countertops, shelves, and built-ins, and handle finishing and minor field adjustments.
- • Create material takeoffs, cut lists, and optimize panel yields.
- • Apply and trim edge banding using edge banders or hand methods.
- • Follow established safety rules and maintain a clean, dust-controlled shop and jobsite.
- • Read and interpret shop drawings, blueprints, and cut lists to plan cabinet fabrication.
- • Field-measure spaces and verify site conditions before fabrication.
- • Select, order, and receive lumber, sheet goods, veneers, laminates, hardware, and finishes.
- • Measure and mark cutting lines on materials using layout tools.
- • Cut, rip, and crosscut parts to size using table saws, panel saws, and CNC routers.
- • Plane, joint, route, and shape components to specifications with machines and hand tools.
- • Assemble carcasses, face frames, and drawers using clamps, fasteners, and joinery.
- • Install and adjust hinges, drawer slides, pulls, locks, and specialty hardware.
- • Dry-fit assemblies and verify square, level, plumb, and reveal tolerances.
- • Apply veneers and high-pressure laminates to panels and components.
- • Sand, fill, and prepare surfaces; apply stains, sealers, and topcoats as required.
- • Fabricate and fit doors, drawer fronts, shelves, toe kicks, and trim.
- • Scribe and fit cabinets, fillers, and panels to uneven walls, floors, and ceilings.
- • Install cabinets, panels, countertops, and millwork on site, anchoring securely to structure.
- • Lay out and install crown, light rails, and moldings with tight miters and joints.
- • Drill for and install European hinges, pulls, and accessory systems using jigs or CNC.
- • Inspect components and finished work for defects; make repairs or adjustments.
- • Maintain and calibrate woodworking machines, jigs, and dust collection systems.
- • Maintain records of materials, time, and project progress; document changes.
- • Coordinate with general contractors, designers, and other trades for scheduling and site access.
- • Prepare cost estimates or quotes for cabinetry and casework when required.
- • Perform minor field modifications, touch-ups, and repairs.
- • Build and use templates, patterns, and fixtures for repeatable parts.
- • Package, protect, and transport finished cabinets to the jobsite.
- • Handle adhesives, solvents, and finishes safely; follow hazard and PPE procedures.
Related specializations
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Construction
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
