Cross Cabinets in Chattanooga: Custom Cabinetry for Kitchens and Bathrooms
Cross Cabinets is a custom cabinetry shop that designs and builds kitchen and bathroom cabinets to specification, serving homeowners and contractors across the Chattanooga area. The company operates as a made-to-order fabricator rather than a showroom retailer, meaning every project is built after measurement and design rather than selected from existing inventory.
What Cross Cabinets Actually Does
Cross Cabinets manufactures custom cabinetry in their Chattanooga workshop. The shop handles the full process: on-site measurement, design consultation, cabinet construction, and installation coordination. They work primarily with homeowners undertaking kitchen or bathroom remodels, as well as with general contractors and designers who specify custom pieces as part of larger projects. Unlike big-box cabinet retailers, Cross does not stock pre-made units; every cabinet is built to fit the specific dimensions and aesthetic requirements of its space.
Services and Pricing
Cross Cabinets charges per linear foot for cabinet runs, with pricing that varies based on wood species, finish, hardware, and internal configuration. A standard painted cabinet run typically ranges from $80 to $120 per linear foot, while stained hardwood options run $120 to $180 per linear foot. A 12-foot kitchen cabinet run with mixed uppers and lowers might cost $1,200 to $2,100 depending on wood choice and hardware. The company also builds specialty pieces including islands, pantries, and vanities; islands typically add $400 to $800 to a project based on size and features. Confirm current pricing by calling the shop, as material costs fluctuate.
Installation is usually handled by Cross or their recommended installers; installation labor runs roughly $40 to $60 per hour. The timeline from order to installation typically spans 4 to 6 weeks, depending on current shop load and finish complexity.
How Cross Cabinets Compares to Other Chattanooga Options
Chattanooga homeowners choosing cabinetry have three main paths. Semi-custom retailers like Lowe's or Home Depot offer pre-sized cabinets that can be adjusted within set dimensions; prices start around $50 to $80 per linear foot, but flexibility is limited and lead time is short (1 to 3 weeks). Stock cabinets work for homeowners who need speed and low cost and are comfortable with standard dimensions and finishes.
Full custom shops like Cross Cabinets charge more but deliver exact specifications and material choices. Choose Cross if your kitchen layout is irregular, you want specific wood species or finishes unavailable stock, or the contractor or designer has already specified custom pieces. Choose a semi-custom retailer if your layout is standard, budget is tight, and you need cabinets quickly.
High-end design firms that pair with premium cabinet makers (often shipping pieces from across the country or abroad) exist in Chattanooga's luxury market but typically command 30 percent higher prices and longer lead times. For most remodel budgets, Cross Cabinets sits between stock and luxury, offering customization without the price or timeline premium of imported cabinetry.
Who Cross Cabinets Suits and Who It Doesn't
Cross Cabinets works best for homeowners with non-standard kitchen or bathroom footprints, those who want local craftsmanship and oversight, and anyone whose design vision requires wood species or finishes not available stock. Contractors and designers who want to build relationships with a local fabricator also benefit from dealing directly with the shop rather than ordering through a distributor.
Cross Cabinets may not be the right fit if you are replacing cabinets in a timeline of two weeks or less, if your budget is under $1,200 total, or if you simply need functional replacements in standard dimensions. Stock cabinets serve those needs better.
What the First Visit Involves
Contact Cross Cabinets to schedule a consultation. A designer or fabricator will typically meet you on-site to measure the space, discuss layout preferences, and review wood species, finishes, and hardware options. You will walk through samples of stains and paints and discuss internal features such as drawer slides, pull-out shelves, and appliance cutouts. After the initial visit, Cross provides a written estimate and design drawing. Once approved, the shop builds your cabinets and schedules installation with you.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Cross Cabinets operates as a workshop-based business. The shop is located in Chattanooga proper and is open during standard business hours Monday through Friday; call to confirm current hours or to schedule a weekend consultation if needed. The shop itself is not a walk-in showroom, so an appointment is essential. Parking is available at the workshop location. Lead time from order to delivery is typically 4 to 6 weeks.
Cross Cabinets fills a practical middle ground in Chattanooga's cabinetry market, offering the flexibility of custom work without the cost or complexity of sourcing pieces from outside the region. For a kitchen or bathroom that needs exact specifications and local accountability, the shop delivers both.
