Ability Millwork FAQ

You have questions – we have answers!

We answer your FREQUENTLY Asked Questions

What are the benefits of being a custom studio?

Do you manufacture in house?

We manufacture nearly all of our own components, including drawer boxes, crown mouldings, cabinets, and cabinet doors.  We perform our own woodwork and millwork in house. This allows us to build to your exact specifications, versus simply what’s in a catalogue.  If you can dream it, we can build it.

In addition, we control the quality throughout the entire process from design to installation. We ensure that your finished pieces will last a lifetime.

Can you do custom woodwork?

Yes!  Along with kitchen and bathroom cabinets & countertops we can custom design closets, bookcases, laundry rooms, furniture for commercial or institutional use, alterations and home renovations or additions or specialty projects for garages or any other room.

What are my options for materials?

What cabinet options are there?

The exciting aspect of designing a custom built kitchen or cabinet package is that you can choose from many touches to personalize your kitchen. Some of the popular choices are face frame, frameless, built-in and free-standing cabinets.

You may desire full wood grain plywood interiors, painted or laminated doors, adjustable or fixed shelves, soft close hardware, pop-out drawers and doors, double lazy susans, double deep drawers, tilt-out sink trays, wall or door hung spice racks, cutlery dividers, built-in cutting boards, and other neat accessories.  We will guide you through these selections.

What countertop options are there?

We can supply high quality countertops using Dupont Corian solid surface with seamless integral sinks and backsplashes.  Quartz, Granite and Laminate countertops are also available.

For countertop installations, can you also upgrade our sink?

Absolutely – we can provide a seamless sink installation to your kitchen or bathroom countertop.

What finishes do you use?

All cabinets and woodwork are sanded by hand to achieve an optimal surface for high quality finishing.

We only use high quality European water-based finishes which are all environmentally friendly and non-toxic. We apply finishes using deep penetrating sealers, stain, colour and topcoats are all applied by hand with an airless spray pump, which achieves beautiful, soft, smooth finishes.

How do I care for my surfaces?

Wood Surface

There is no magic to maintaining your wood surface, it’s actually quite simple:

  1. Wipe down with a soft, damp clean cloth, with a bit of mild detergent.  
  2. Towel dry the cleaned areas again with a clean soft cloth or towel.
  3. Repeat the process as needed

Do not use any hold hold chemical based cleaners on any prefinished woodwork, the finished wood work may have its serviceable life reduced.

Corian Surfaces

Simply use a soft scrub cleaner such as a scotch brite pad, to have your Corian Surface come to life.

What should I know about working with you?

How do you book jobs?

At any given time, we are quoting on jobs, starting new jobs and completing others.  Part of our promise to you is that we will provide you with a schedule for your job, and keep you informed as your job progresses.  To facilitate that, we only book your jobs when the project is signed off, and a deposit received.

How long does it take to receive a quote?

We typically can provide you with an immediate ballpark. Depending on the perceived details we can typically provide a formal quote within two to five business days after the consultation appointment.

We want quality work but the cost concerns us. Can we afford you?

We offer quality craftsmanship at the same price or better than the same components mass-manufactured by big box stores at budget points to satisfy most discriminating clients..  

We have a limited budget – can you help us?

Yes – we have three points of quality allowing our services to accommodate most budgets.

Can you handle rush or emergency jobs?

In order to handle the unexpected, we always build in buffers in our work.  This allows us to handle the realities of project work, where external factors may impact our project timeline.  That also allows us to handle some rush or emergency jobs, depending on the factors involved.

What do you recommend as the quickest and easiest way to get our project completed?

The quickest and easiest way to get your project done would be by doing your homework and supplying us with the needed information we request in a timely fashion.

What if we start our project, and want to make changes?

The benefit of working with us is that we’re with you every step of the way.  From the initial conceptualization, to the quote, to the design, to the manufacturing, there are numerous opportunities for you to make changes.  Our goal is to ensure that you not only love your finished pieces, but the process as well.

How can we see what our finished project will look like?

We can provide 2D and 3D design drawings so that you see a full rendering of what your project will look like when complete.

Do you deliver and install your own work?

Absolutely.  We control every step of the process to ensure a high quality project from design to installation.

Can you work with our interior designer?

Absolutely. Interior designers are happy to work with us.

Will you help coordinate other trades, such as an electrician?

We would be pleased to act as your project manager to coordinate related trades such as a plumber, or electrician. We can manage all aspects of the project for you.


How do we set up an appointment?

We have daytime and some evening/weekend slots available. Contact us, and we’ll set up a time for an initial consultation.  During this meeting, we can show you samples in our workshop and walk you through the process of working together.