Margetson Woodworking

How does this Kenosha shop approach custom cabinetry that truly fits your home?

Looking for built-to-fit cabinetry that respects how your household really lives? In Kenosha, Margetson Woodworking has been crafting custom kitchen cabinets and architectural millwork since 1985, working from a compact shop at 2801 69th St and an office presence near 6806 28th Ave in the 53143 corridor. As a division of CM and led by principal Chris Margetson, the five-person team approaches each home with a measured, design-first eye. They begin on site—measuring existing conditions, mapping appliance clearances, and noting traffic patterns—then translate those realities into shop drawings and material schedules. Because they manufacture millwork in-house, fit and finish are controlled from the first cut to the last touch of hardware. Clients see species and finish samples before anything is built, and tricky corners or sloped ceilings are mocked up so there are no surprises. Core capabilities span Open-concept layout conversions and Paint, stain, and finishing for interiors/exteriors, anchored by cabinetry built on their benches and deep experience in cabinet building. The result is cabinetry that fits, functions, and ages gracefully within the character of the home.

Can a specialized woodworker act as your general contractor for kitchens and baths?

Wondering if a focused shop can handle a full kitchen or bath renovation end-to-end? As a woodworker that also acts as a detail-minded general contractor, Margetson Woodworking coordinates kitchen_renovation and bath upgrades with an emphasis on cabinetry, surfaces, and finishes that hold up. They set a clear sequence—demolition, rough trades, cabinet installation, tops, tile, and punch—so the room comes back online predictably. Temporary protections, dust control, and a short-lived stand-in cooking or sink station are planned during the assessment to keep daily life moving. Their cabinetry integrates panel-ready appliances, custom vanities, and built-ins that extend storage into adjacent dining nooks or laundry alcoves. For homeowners seeking pragmatic updates without gutting, they offer targeted remodeling: new doors and drawers on solid boxes, slide-out storage, or a reconfigured island. Every decision is anchored by field measurements, shop fabrication, and careful finishing, yielding kitchens and baths that look cohesive because the details were built to the plan.

What’s involved in opening up rooms without compromising structure or style?

Thinking about taking down a wall for an open-concept layout conversion, but unsure what’s structural? Margetson Woodworking starts with a site review to verify load paths, ceiling joist direction, and hidden utilities before proposing any wall removal. When structure is involved, they coordinate beam and header sizing with a trusted engineer and manage permitting with the City of Kenosha, keeping documentation aligned with inspection milestones. Their carpenters stage temporary supports, set steel or engineered lumber, and then blend new transitions—floors, casings, and crown—so the expanded room looks original. Because they self-perform the millwork, they can reproduce profiles or re-trim entire zones for a clean, continuous reveal. Openings are planned around real furniture layouts and lighting, not just square footage, and acoustic considerations are discussed up front. The result is openness where it counts, with the bones respected and the finishes executed to the same standard as their cabinetry.

How do professional finishes protect and elevate woodwork inside and out?

Curious how professional paint, stain, and finishing for interiors/exteriors can change the way woodwork wears? In their Kenosha shop, finishes are sprayed in controlled conditions for consistency and durability, from catalyzed clears on maple to hand-wiped stains that reveal grain without blotching. Field crews then tie the work together on site—color-matching existing trim, lacquering built-ins after installation, and painting surrounding walls so cabinetry and rooms read as a single composition. Exterior-facing elements, such as entry doors or porch ceilings, benefit from carefully specified primers, UV-resistant topcoats, and maintenance guidance tailored to exposure. Inside, they tune sheens room by room—matte for walls, satin on trim, and a soft-gloss for hardworking cabinets—to balance cleanability with warmth. Because the same team builds and finishes, edge details, reveals, and touch points get extra attention, producing the quiet, durable look homeowners want from custom work.

Which underused spaces—basements, attics, or garages—benefit most from custom millwork?

Not sure where to start upgrading a basement, attic, or garage that’s stuck in the past? Margetson Woodworking treats these underused spaces as opportunities for smart millwork: built-in media walls and snack bars in basements, knee-wall dressers and dormer desks in attics, and durable storage or workbenches in garages. They begin with a conditions check—headroom, moisture, insulation, and egress—so the design aligns with safety and code expectations before cabinetry is fabricated. In basements, cabinet plinths and materials are selected to keep wood off concrete and away from splash zones. Attic solutions are templated to odd angles and low slopes, maximizing every inch without crowding. For garages, they design impact-tough cabinets, slat walls, and mudroom-style drop zones that tame clutter at the door. If a client wants more than storage, the team can fold in remodeling scope—lighting, flooring, or a reworked stair—to deliver a polished, livable extension of the home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Margetson Woodworking in Kenosha, Wisconsin

1. How long does it typically take to design, build, and install custom cabinets?

   Timelines vary with scope, but their process moves from on-site measurement to shop drawings, then into in-house fabrication and finishing before installation. Because they control the millwork in their Kenosha shop, sequencing is predictable and field fit is efficient.

2. Will they handle permits and engineering if a load-bearing wall needs to come out?

   Yes. For open-concept work, they assess structure, coordinate beam/header sizing with an engineer, and manage City of Kenosha permitting and inspections. Temporary supports and careful finish blending ensure the change looks original when complete.

3. What finish options are available for busy households and exterior elements?

   They offer shop-sprayed paints and stains, catalyzed clear coats, and field finishing that ties rooms together. Exterior pieces receive the right primers and UV-resistant topcoats, while interior sheens are tuned for durability and cleanability.

4. Can they upgrade a garage or attic without a full remodel?

   Absolutely. They design built-ins, storage systems, and workbenches tailored to real conditions like headroom and wall structure, and can add selective remodeling such as lighting or flooring when needed.

5. Where is the work fabricated, and who leads the team?

   Fabrication and finishing are performed in their Kenosha shop near 2801 69th St, with office presence close to 6806 28th Ave. The company is a division of CM and is led by principal Chris Margetson.

General Contractor Planning & Project Guides

Explore general contractor guides that explain a slew of relevant tips before hiring them.

• When to Hire a Design-Build Contractor
• Home Addition Contractors: What to Expect During the Process
• Basement Remodeling Ideas and Contractor Tips