One of the most common questions we get on a first call is simply: how long does this take, and what do I have to do?
Fair question, and the answer is more predictable than most people expect. Here is the whole process from first call to finished closet.
Step 1 — The First Call (10 minutes)
You call, we talk. We are trying to establish three things: what rooms you are thinking about, roughly when you would like it done, and whether there is anything unusual about the space — a sloped ceiling, a knee wall, an attic conversion.
Nothing is committed at this stage. We book a consultation, usually within the same week.
Step 2 — The In-Home Consultation (60–90 minutes, free)
This is the part that matters most, and it happens in your home rather than in a showroom — because your closet is in your home, not in a showroom.
We do four things:
- Measure properly. Every wall, the ceiling height, the door swing, outlets, vents, baseboards. Older Bay Area homes are frequently out of square, and knowing that upfront prevents problems later.
- Look at what you own. How much you hang versus fold, how many pairs of shoes, whether you need a place for handbags or hats or ski gear. This determines the layout more than anything else.
- Talk budget honestly. We would rather tell you at the kitchen table that your wish list is above your number than surprise you three weeks later.
- Show finishes. We bring physical samples. Photographs on a screen do not tell you what a finish looks like in your actual light — you can see the full range on our closet finishes page, but seeing them in the room is better.
What you should do beforehand: take a couple of photos of the closet as it is, and have a rough sense of your budget range. That is all.
Step 3 — Design and Quote (3–7 days)
We produce a design and an itemised quote. The design shows the layout — hanging sections, drawers, shelving, and how it all fits the actual measured space. The quote breaks down what each element costs, so if you want to trim, you can see exactly where.
Most projects go through one or two rounds of revisions here. That is normal and expected. Changing a drawer bank on paper costs nothing; changing it after the panels are cut costs a great deal.
Step 4 — Approval and Deposit
You sign off on the final design and finish selection, and we take a deposit to schedule production. From this point the design is locked, because the panels get cut to it.
Step 5 — Fabrication (2–4 weeks)
Everything is built in our workshop in Novato. Nothing is ordered from a catalogue and nothing is drop-shipped from a factory in another state.
Two practical advantages to that. First, if something needs adjusting mid-build we walk across the shop rather than filing a change order. Second, if a wall turns out to be out of plumb on install day, we can modify a panel that week instead of waiting on a reorder.
Timing varies with the season. Spring and late summer run longer; January and February are usually the quickest.
Step 6 — Installation (1–3 days)
A reach-in typically takes one day. A walk-in usually takes one to two. A large project across multiple rooms may take three.
What you need to do: empty the closet completely beforehand, and make sure there is a clear path from the front door to the room.
What we do: protect floors, install, level, adjust every drawer and door, and clean up. You should not be sweeping sawdust after we leave.
Step 7 — Walkthrough
We walk the finished closet with you, adjust anything that needs adjusting, and explain how to move a shelf or a rod yourself later. If something is not right, we come back — that is what having a local family-owned company down the road is actually worth.
Total Timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| First call to consultation | 2–7 days |
| Consultation to design | 3–7 days |
| Design revisions and approval | 2–7 days |
| Fabrication | 2–4 weeks |
| Installation | 1–3 days |
| Total | 4–7 weeks |
What Slows Projects Down
In our experience, three things account for most delays:
- Indecision on finish. Take the samples home and look at them in the actual room at different times of day. It is worth the extra few days upfront and it avoids regret later.
- Design changes after approval. Once panels are cut, a change means recutting. Get it right on paper.
- Other trades. If the room is also being painted or recarpeted, that work should finish first. Sequencing it the other way around causes problems.
Planning Around a Deadline
If you need a closet finished before a specific date — a move-in, a holiday, a new baby — work backwards and allow eight weeks. That gives room for a revision round and a scheduling shift without pressure.
We have been doing this from our Novato shop since 2008, and we tell people their real timeline rather than the one they want to hear. If that suits you, book a free consultation and we will come and measure. You can also read what previous clients have said on our reviews page.
Ready to Talk About Your Closet?
Space Makers has been designing, building, and installing custom closets and closet organizers for Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and San Francisco homeowners since 2008. Everything is built in our Novato workshop and installed by our own team — no subcontractors, no franchise markup.
Call (415) 717-6724 or request a free in-home consultation. We will measure your space, talk through options, and bring physical finish samples so you can see everything in your own light.