Brisbane has a strong network of 314 licensed cabinet makers, spread across 33 suburbs. All cabinet makers listed are registered with Queensland Building and Construction Commission, the Queensland licensing authority responsible for ensuring compliance and consumer protection.

Verify licences on Queensland Building and Construction Commission

Hiring a Cabinet Maker in Brisbane

Brisbane is a major Australian city with strong demand for licensed cabinet makers. With 314 options across the metro area, finding the right one for your job is both achievable and important. Always verify their licence through Queensland Building and Construction Commission before any work begins.

Hiring Checklist for Brisbane

Ask to visit their workshop or see recent completed projects — A cabinet maker's workshop reveals their capability — look for CNC machinery (for precision cutting), an edge-banding machine (for clean laminate edges), a spray booth (for quality paint finishes), and organised material storage. Alternatively, ask to see photos of recent installations or visit a completed kitchen. The quality of door alignment, handle placement, and drawer operation tells you more than any brochure.
Get clarity on materials — carcass, doors, benchtop, and hardware — A kitchen quote should specify the carcass material (e.g. 16mm HMR moisture-resistant particleboard or 18mm plywood), door material and finish (polyurethane, laminate, timber veneer, or Thermoformed), benchtop material (laminate, stone, timber, or solid surface), and hardware brand (Blum, Hettich, and Grass are premium drawer runner brands). "Standard inclusions" varies wildly between cabinet makers — get specifics.
Confirm the quote includes installation, not just manufacture — Some cabinet makers quote manufacture only and charge installation separately. Installation includes delivery, fitting, levelling, scribing to walls (which are rarely perfectly straight), cutting benchtop sink and cooktop holes, and adjusting doors and drawers on site. A manufacture-only quote can be misleading if installation adds 15–25% to the total cost.
Ask about their warranty on workmanship and materials — Reputable cabinet makers offer a 5–10 year warranty on workmanship. Hardware manufacturers like Blum offer separate lifetime warranties on drawer runners and hinges. Ask what the warranty covers (e.g. delamination, door warping, drawer failure) and what it excludes (e.g. damage from water exposure, misuse). Get the warranty in writing as part of the contract.
Discuss design details — soft-close, internal fittings, and lighting — The difference between a budget kitchen and a premium one often comes down to internal fittings. Ask about soft-close hinges and runners (standard on quality cabinetry), internal drawer organisers, pull-out pantry systems, corner cabinet solutions (e.g. Le Mans units), and LED strip lighting. A good cabinet maker will help you prioritise these features within your budget.

Pro Tip

Always ask your cabinet maker for their Queensland Building and Construction Commission licence number before any work begins. You can verify it instantly on TradieVerify. A legitimate cabinet maker will have no hesitation providing this.

Red Flags to Watch For

No workshop — claims to manufacture on site or "at home" — Quality cabinet making requires workshop infrastructure — CNC machinery, edge banders, spray booths, and assembly space. A cabinet maker who operates from a home garage without proper equipment cannot produce the same quality as a properly equipped workshop. Ask to see or visit the workshop before committing.
Uses vague material descriptions like "standard board" or "white doors" — A professional cabinet maker should specify exact materials — e.g. "16mm Laminex HMR E0 carcass in Polar White, Polytec Thermolaminated doors in Classic White Matt, Blum Tandembox Antaro soft-close drawers." Vague descriptions hide the use of cheap materials and make it impossible to compare quotes fairly.
No written contract or detailed scope of works — A kitchen project typically costs $15,000–$50,000+. Any cabinet maker unwilling to provide a written contract specifying materials, dimensions, hardware, timeline, payment schedule, and warranty is a significant risk. Verbal agreements provide no recourse if the work is defective or incomplete.

Typical Cabinet Maker Costs in QLD

Hourly Rate

$65 – $110

Callout Fee

$60 – $100

Common Jobs

Job	Cost Range
Custom kitchen cabinetry (supply + install)	$8000 – $20000
Bathroom vanity (custom)	$1500 – $4000
Built-in bookshelf	$1000 – $3000

Related Directories

Other Trades in Brisbane

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a custom kitchen cost in Australia?

A basic custom kitchen (laminate doors, laminate benchtop, standard hardware) costs $8,000–$15,000 for a small to medium layout. A mid-range kitchen (polyurethane or timber veneer doors, stone benchtop, Blum hardware) costs $15,000–$30,000. A premium kitchen (handleless design, 2-pac polyurethane, engineered stone or natural stone benchtop, integrated appliance panels, LED lighting) costs $30,000–$60,000+. These prices are for cabinetry, benchtops, and installation — appliances are typically separate.

What is the difference between a cabinet maker and a kitchen company?

A cabinet maker manufactures cabinetry in their own workshop and typically handles the full process — measure, design, manufacture, and install. A kitchen company may be a showroom that subcontracts manufacturing to an external factory and installation to subcontract installers. Both models can produce excellent results, but with a cabinet maker, you deal directly with the person making your kitchen. With a kitchen company, you get showroom convenience but may have less control over manufacturing details.

How long does it take to get a custom kitchen made?

From final design sign-off to installation, allow 4–8 weeks for manufacture plus 1–3 days for installation. The design phase (site measure, design revisions, material selection, and final approval) may take an additional 2–4 weeks. Total timeline from first contact to completed kitchen is typically 8–14 weeks. Premium cabinet makers and busy periods (spring/summer renovation season) may extend this to 12–20 weeks.

What materials should I choose for kitchen cabinets?

For the carcass (box), HMR (High Moisture Resistant) particleboard is the industry standard for most kitchens. Plywood is stronger and more moisture-resistant but 30–50% more expensive. For doors, laminate (e.g. Laminex, Polytec) is durable and affordable; polyurethane (2-pac paint) gives a seamless, high-end finish but is more expensive and can chip; timber veneer provides a natural aesthetic. For benchtops, engineered stone (Caesarstone, Essastone) dominates the mid to premium market due to its durability and low maintenance.

How many licensed cabinet makers are there in Brisbane?

There are 314 licensed cabinet makers registered across the Brisbane metropolitan area, covering 33 suburbs tracked by TradieVerify.

Which Brisbane suburbs have the most cabinet makers?

The Brisbane suburbs with the highest concentration of licensed cabinet makers include Capalaba (46), The Gap (25), Moorooka (20), Wynnum (18), Strathpine (18). Inner-city suburbs tend to have more cabinet makers due to higher population density and commercial activity.

Top Suburbs for Cabinet Makers in Brisbane

BrisbaneCabinet Maker Statistics

Breakdown by Licence Class

About Cabinet Makers in Brisbane