Cabinet quality determines more of a kitchen’s long-term satisfaction than any other single element. Countertops can be replaced, appliances upgraded, and paint refreshed, but cabinets define the layout, storage capacity, and visual character of the room for 20 to 30 years. The difference between stock cabinets from a big-box store and custom or semi-custom cabinetry from a dedicated maker shows in construction method, material quality, and fit precision. Stock cabinets use particle board boxes with melamine coating, cam-lock assembly, and standardized dimensions that leave gaps requiring fillers. Custom cabinets use plywood or solid wood boxes with dovetail or dowel joinery, full-extension soft-close drawer slides, and are built to the exact dimensions of the space, eliminating filler strips and maximizing storage. In Middle Georgia’s humid climate, this construction difference has practical consequences: particle board absorbs moisture and swells, causing doors to stick, shelves to sag, and drawer boxes to fail within 8 to 12 years. Plywood construction resists moisture and maintains structural integrity for decades. The region’s older homes with out-of-square walls, uneven floors, and non-standard ceiling heights particularly benefit from custom cabinets built to accommodate the imperfections that stock cabinets cannot address. The five cabinet providers below are independently operated, verified through their own business websites, and currently active across different parts of the region.
1. Freeman Cabinets — Macon
Freeman Cabinets builds their “Better Box” cabinets right in Macon, Georgia, positioning themselves as more than a step above standard cabinets in structure, intelligence, and finish. Their marketing promise of “no more failing drawers, no more wood substitutes, no more wasted space” directly addresses the three most common complaints homeowners have about stock cabinetry. Building locally means Freeman Cabinets can control every step of the manufacturing process from material selection through finishing, and can build to the exact specifications each kitchen demands. Local manufacturing also means shorter lead times compared to cabinets shipped from factories across the country, and easier resolution of any fit or finish issues during installation. For homeowners who want cabinets manufactured in Middle Georgia by a company that stands behind their product because they built it themselves rather than imported it, Freeman provides the local craftsmanship that factory-produced cabinets cannot match.
Services: Custom cabinet manufacturing, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, built-in storage solutions, locally manufactured in Macon, design consultation.
Address: Macon, GA
Phone: (478) 745-6884
Website: https://www.freeman-cabinets.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM
2. Rescom Cabinets — Macon
Rescom Cabinets operates from their showroom on Vineville Avenue in Macon with a team bringing over 90 years of combined handcrafted cabinetry experience. Their showroom displays samples of woods, colors, hardware, cabinet pulls, drawer designs, and kitchen layouts, giving homeowners the ability to see and touch materials before committing to decisions. The breadth of their sample collection reflects the customization depth they offer: from wood species and stain colors to hardware styles and drawer configuration, clients can specify every detail of their cabinetry rather than choosing from a limited set of factory-defined options. The 90-year combined experience of their team means they have encountered virtually every kitchen layout challenge, design preference, and installation complication that Middle Georgia homes can present. For homeowners who want to visit a physical showroom, compare materials side by side, and work with experienced designers who can translate kitchen dreams into buildable specifications, Rescom provides the hands-on consultation experience.
Services: Custom cabinetry design and manufacturing, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, showroom with wood samples, hardware selection, color consultation, design service, installation.
Address: Vineville Ave, Macon, GA
Phone: (478) 477-4466
Website: https://rescomcabinets.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM
3. River North Cabinets — Forsyth (serving Middle Georgia)
River North Cabinets has been fulfilling cabinetry needs for customers throughout Georgia for close to half a century from their location at 2441 Shi Road in Forsyth, just north of Macon. They install the finest brands of kitchen and bath cabinets, armoires, office systems, and custom home furnishings. Their nearly 50 years of continuous operation makes them one of the longest-running cabinetry businesses in the Middle Georgia area. The longevity of the business through multiple housing cycles, kitchen design trend shifts, and supply chain disruptions demonstrates the kind of stable supplier relationships and customer satisfaction that sustain a specialty business across five decades. Their scope extends beyond kitchen cabinets to include armoires, office systems, and custom home furnishings, making them a single source for cabinetry throughout the home. They also offer solid surface countertop options, providing a one-stop solution for the two most consequential kitchen decisions.
Services: Kitchen cabinets, bath cabinets, armoires, office systems, custom home furnishings, solid surface countertops, cabinet design, cabinet installation, brand-name cabinetry lines.
Address: 2441 Shi Rd, Forsyth, GA 31029
Phone: (478) 994-9100
Website: http://rivernorthcabinets.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM
4. Bickley Design Build (MasterBrand/Schrock Dealer) — Macon
Bickley Design Build serves as Middle Georgia’s home to Schrock Cabinetry, part of the MasterBrand Cabinets family, the largest cabinet manufacturer in North America. This dealer relationship gives Macon-area homeowners access to the full Schrock line of semi-custom and custom cabinets with the design expertise of Bickley’s 30-year-old design-build firm backing the selection and installation process. The advantage of working with a design-build firm as your cabinet dealer rather than a standalone showroom is that the same team designing your cabinet layout also handles the demolition, plumbing relocation, electrical modifications, and installation, ensuring that the cabinetry integrates seamlessly with the overall kitchen renovation. Bickley’s certifications including Master Builder, Certified Graduate Remodeler, and Certified Aging in Place Specialist add technical credibility that pure cabinet dealers cannot provide. Their showroom allows homeowners to see Schrock and other MasterBrand products, compare door styles, finishes, and configurations, and make informed decisions with expert guidance.
Services: Schrock Cabinetry dealer, MasterBrand cabinet lines, semi-custom and custom cabinets, kitchen design, bathroom vanities, cabinet showroom, design-build kitchen renovation, installation.
Address: Macon, GA 31204
Phone: (478) 746-8034
Website: https://bickleydesignbuild.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM
5. Goose Creek Cabinets — Serving Middle Georgia
Goose Creek Cabinets has served the Georgia and Florida area for 17 years with a focus on customer satisfaction through attention to detail and customization that matches each client’s individual vision. Their specialties include kitchens, bathrooms, bookcases, and any custom cabinetry project the client envisions. The 17-year track record across two states demonstrates the kind of consistent quality that generates the word-of-mouth referrals custom cabinet shops depend on for survival, since advertising budgets rarely compete with production cabinet companies. Their willingness to take on projects beyond standard kitchen and bathroom cabinets, including bookcases and custom furniture pieces, reflects the versatile woodworking skill set that true cabinet makers possess versus installation-only companies that assemble factory-shipped components. For homeowners who need built-in bookcases, custom entertainment centers, home office cabinetry, or other specialty millwork alongside kitchen cabinets, Goose Creek provides the custom shop capability.
Services: Custom kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, bookcases, custom cabinetry design, cabinet installation, specialty millwork, residential and commercial cabinetry.
Address: Serves Georgia and Florida
Phone: (478) 288-7682
Website: Contact for details
Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM
FAQ
How much do custom cabinets cost compared to stock cabinets?
Stock cabinets from big-box stores run $75 to $200 per linear foot installed. Semi-custom cabinets from manufacturers like Schrock, KraftMaid, or Diamond range from $150 to $400 per linear foot. Fully custom cabinets built by a local shop cost $400 to $800 or more per linear foot depending on wood species, finish, hardware, and design complexity. For a typical kitchen with 25 to 30 linear feet of cabinetry, that translates to $2,000 to $6,000 for stock, $4,500 to $12,000 for semi-custom, and $10,000 to $24,000 for fully custom. The price difference buys better materials, stronger construction, precise fit, and a 20-to-30-year lifespan versus the 8-to-12-year lifespan of many stock cabinets. Custom cabinets also increase home resale value more effectively than stock replacements.
What wood species work best for cabinets in Middle Georgia’s humidity?
Maple and cherry are the most common wood species for custom cabinetry in the region because they are dimensionally stable in high humidity, take stain and finish consistently, and resist warping. Red oak is durable and affordable but has a prominent grain pattern that some homeowners find dated. White oak has become increasingly popular for its cleaner grain and moisture resistance. Hickory provides a rustic aesthetic with exceptional hardness but costs more to work due to its density. Poplar and alder serve as cost-effective options for painted cabinets since the paint conceals their less distinctive grain patterns. Avoid soft pine for kitchen cabinets as it dents easily and expands significantly in humidity. Whatever species you choose, the finish quality matters as much as the wood: a proper catalyzed conversion varnish or lacquer finish seals the wood against moisture penetration far better than the vinyl wraps or thin lacquers used on stock cabinets.
How long does a custom cabinet project take?
From initial design consultation through completed installation, a custom cabinet project typically takes 10 to 16 weeks. The design phase takes two to four weeks of consultations, measurements, and revision cycles. Manufacturing takes four to eight weeks depending on the shop’s backlog and project complexity. Installation takes three to seven days for a full kitchen. Semi-custom cabinets from a manufacturer like Schrock or MasterBrand typically take six to ten weeks from order to delivery. Lead times have stabilized from the supply chain disruptions of recent years, but specialty finishes, imported hardware, and unusual wood species can still extend timelines. Plan your project timeline to avoid holiday periods when cabinet shops and installation crews are typically booked months in advance.