built-in bookshelves...anyone have them installed recently? (how much, homes)

[julieinnc]

Hi all. We're considering putting built-in bookshelves in our living room. Does anyone have a carpenter recommendation? If you've had it done yourself, do you mind sharing how much you spent? Just trying to get a rough idea of what to expect before we actually get a few people in to do quotes. We're thinking we'd like something about 8 ft long, with shelves on top and doors on the bottom. Painted white - we definitely don't need the fanciest wood, just something that looks decent and is durable. Thanks so much!

[CHTransplant]

We did a set of built-in bookshelves in this past year. Ours are 90 inches wide, floor to ceiling height - consisting of three 30 inch units. Shelves on top, doors on the bottom. We'd thought about doing white, but went with oak instead - it was cheaper; less labor for the carpenter than having to apply a paint finish. I believe we spent about $1600 on them. Unfortunately, the guy we used has shifted his business and now focuses exclusively on kitchens, so I can't pass along a recommendation.

[RDUBiker]

Not quite large enough to be bookshelves, but the guy can easily do them and he is GOOD. He'll use MDF if you plan to paint, like we did. Bill Piebenga 919-522-3656 (he trims out million dollar homes, so this is an easy job for him, and things are slow in that market right now).

Some pics:

[hammester]

I just did them myself recently. I did 2 70" long 7 feet high built in bookshelves in our living room. I spent a little over a grand to do it myself and that included buying extra tools I didn't have like a table saw($125 off craigslist) and air compressor/nailer($100). That also included buying 8 raised panel cabnet doors and 8 drawer fronts. The doors and drawer fronts are solid wood, the rest of the bookshelves are made out of 3/4" plywood.

[RDUBiker]

Originally Posted by hammester

I just did them myself recently. I did 2 70" long 7 feet high built in bookshelves in our living room. I spent a little over a grand to do it myself and that included buying extra tools I didn't have like a table saw($125 off craigslist) and air compressor/nailer($100). That also included buying 8 raised panel cabnet doors and 8 drawer fronts. The doors and drawer fronts are solid wood, the rest of the bookshelves are made out of 3/4" plywood.

Where's you buy your door fronts?

[hammester]

Bought my doors and drawer fronts from Heartland Custom Wood -near Kansas City -cabinets/doors & shipping

[VickiR]

Originally Posted by hammester

I just did them myself recently. I did 2 70" long 7 feet high built in bookshelves in our living room. I spent a little over a grand to do it myself and that included buying extra tools I didn't have like a table saw($125 off craigslist) and air compressor/nailer($100). That also included buying 8 raised panel cabnet doors and 8 drawer fronts. The doors and drawer fronts are solid wood, the rest of the bookshelves are made out of 3/4" plywood.

I've seen 'em and he did a wonderful job! Part time job???

Vicki

[Strongasabear]

We did built-ins ourselves in the living room entry way to the dining room. Very easy but I think it looks great.

[RDUBiker]

Originally Posted by dinalkulp

We did built-ins ourselves in the living room entry way to the dining room. Very easy but I think it looks great.

Nicely done!