How We Work
From first call to finished kitchen — here's exactly how it works.
No surprises. No handoffs to subcontractors. No particleboard discovered after the install. Every step below is how every IonBuilds project runs — in Plano, Murphy, Allen, and across DFW.
You reach out — we listen.
Every project starts with a conversation — not a quote form. You tell us what you're imagining: the room, the style, the storage problems you're trying to solve. We ask questions. We listen more than we talk.
At this stage, nothing is on paper yet. We're building a clear picture of what you actually need before we even think about dimensions or materials.
We come to you. Every measurement taken by hand.
We visit your home — not a showroom, not a virtual call. We measure every wall, document every outlet, window, and door swing, and photograph the space from multiple angles. If there's existing cabinetry, we note its condition, height, and relationship to the room.
We never design from floor plans or guesswork. Field measurements are the only numbers we trust, and we take them ourselves on every single project.
You see exactly what you're getting — before we cut anything.
We draft the design and present it to you — dimensions, door style, species, hardware, and any special details — before a single board is cut. You review the layout, ask questions, and request changes.
We iterate until you're confident in exactly what's being built. Design approval is your green light. Nothing moves to fabrication until you've signed off. No surprises — on the plan or on the invoice.
Built in our shop. Every piece, by hand and machine.
This is where the work happens. We mill face frames and door profiles on our CNC for dimensional consistency. We cut and dado cabinet boxes from thick domestic plywood. Every joint is structural — glued and clamped, not just stapled.
Boxes are assembled, squared, and checked before doors are hung. Hardware is installed and tested. Every drawer should open and close the same way — smoothly, solidly — before it leaves the shop.
Finished in a controlled environment. Not on a wall.
Paint and stain are applied in our shop — not on site. Shop finishing in a controlled environment means no dust contamination, no humidity swings mid-coat, and consistent coverage across every surface. The finish cures properly before anything is loaded for delivery.
For painted cabinets, we apply primer, sand, and topcoat in multiple passes. For stained or natural wood, we apply sealer and topcoat tuned to the species and its environment.
Our crew installs. No subcontractors.
The same people who built your cabinets install them. We don't hand off to a subcontractor — the builder knows every detail of every piece, and that continuity shows in the result.
We level, shim, and secure every run. Doors are hung and adjusted for consistent reveals. Drawers are set and tested under load. We don't leave until everything closes the way it should, every time.
You inspect. We fix anything that isn't right.
Before we leave, we walk through the finished project together. You open every drawer, every door. You check the reveals, the finish, the hardware. You tell us anything that isn't exactly right — and we fix it before we pack up our tools.
If anything needs attention after you've lived with the space for a few days, call us. We come back. That's the end of the process — and the beginning of a kitchen, bathroom, or closet that will outlast the house around it.
Typical Timeline
Most full kitchen projects complete in 6–8 weeks.
Timelines vary by project scope and material lead times. We provide a firm timeline before fabrication begins.
Common Questions
Process FAQ
How long does the whole process take? +
Most full kitchen projects run 6–8 weeks from first site visit to final installation. Smaller projects like a bathroom vanity or mudroom system typically run 3–4 weeks. We give you a firm timeline before fabrication begins — not a range we quietly expand.
Do I need to be home during fabrication? +
No — fabrication happens entirely in our shop. You only need to be available for the site visit at the beginning and the installation at the end. We keep you updated by phone or email throughout the build.
What if I want to change something after approval? +
Small changes early in fabrication are usually accommodatable. Changes after fabrication begins may affect the timeline and cost. That's why we spend time on the design approval stage — so changes happen on paper, not in the shop.
Who installs the cabinets? +
Our own crew — the same people who built them. We never hand off installation to a subcontractor. The builder knows every detail of every piece, and that continuity shows in the result.
What happens if something isn't right after installation? +
Call us. We come back and fix it. We don't consider a project complete until you're satisfied with every door, drawer, and detail. Post-install follow-up is part of the job — not an extra service.
Ready to start the process?
Step one is a conversation — no commitment, no pressure. Serving Plano, Murphy, Allen, Wylie, Sachse, and all of DFW.
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