Commercial Cabinetry in Bozeman, MT | Durable casework for offices, clinics, restaurants and rentals
We're Custom Cabinets Bozeman MT, and we build commercial cabinetry and casework for offices, clinics, restaurants, retail spaces and short-term rentals in Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley. Commercial work takes harder use than a home kitchen, so we build with durable materials, heavy-duty hardware and accessible layouts.
Free design consultationTell us about the room. We call back to book a measure.
Commercial Cabinetry in and around Bozeman MT
Commercial casework is opened hundreds of times a day, cleaned with strong products and expected to last years with little care. It also has to meet accessibility rules and fit a construction schedule run by a general contractor. We build for those conditions and coordinate with the whole team.
How a commercial project runs
Drawings
We review plans and prepare shop drawings.
Approval
Samples and drawings are approved by the architect.
Fabricate
Casework is built and finished in our shop.
Install
We install to the contractor schedule.
Commercial details
Submittals
We provide shop drawings and samples for architect review.
Fire and code
Casework is coordinated with the building permit and inspections.
Durability
Edges get hard-wearing banding that resists chipping.
Phasing
Install can be phased around an operating business.
What commercial casework needs
- Heavy-duty runners and hinges rated for frequent use.
- Durable surfaces such as high-pressure laminate or catalyzed finishes.
- Accessible counter heights and knee spaces where required.
- Locks, keyed alike or individually, where needed.
Residential cabinets compared with commercial casework
| The usual approach | How we do it |
|---|---|
| Standard runners and hinges. | Heavy-duty hardware rated for high cycles. |
| Finishes chosen for looks. | Finishes chosen for cleaning and wear. |
| No accessibility rules. | Accessible heights and clearances where required. |
| Homeowner schedule. | General contractor schedule and submittals. |
Hardware for daily abuse
Commercial drawers get opened constantly by many people who do not treat them gently. We use heavy-duty runners rated well above the expected load, and hinges designed for high cycle counts.
Interiors are often high-pressure laminate, which cleans easily and resists stains from coffee, chemicals and cleaning products.
Where commercial casework fails
| What goes wrong | Why it happens | What we do about it |
|---|---|---|
| Drawers fail quickly | Residential runners in a busy space. | Heavy-duty hardware. |
| Edges chip | Soft edge banding. | Durable banding and solid edges. |
| Inspection problems | Accessibility not checked. | Accessible heights confirmed in drawings. |
Commercial casework specification
- Boxes
- 3/4-inch plywood or high-pressure laminate panels
- Surfaces
- Laminate, solid surface or catalyzed wood finish
- Hardware
- Heavy-duty runners, high-cycle hinges, locks
- Accessible work surface
- Heights of 28 to 34 inches with knee clearance where required
Commercial Cabinetry: terms we use
- Casework
- The trade term for built-in cabinetry in commercial and institutional buildings. It covers cabinets, counters, shelving and reception desks.
- High-pressure laminate
- A dense, durable surface made by pressing layers of resin-soaked paper under heat and pressure. It resists scratches, stains and cleaning chemicals.
- Submittal
- A package of shop drawings, samples and product data sent to the architect for approval before fabrication on a commercial project.
- ICC A117.1
- The accessibility standard Montana adopts for building design. It sets reach ranges, counter heights and knee clearances for accessible elements.
- Keyed alike
- A lock arrangement where one key opens every lock in a set. Offices often key casework alike, while clinics may key sensitive storage separately.
- Solid surface
- A non-porous acrylic or polyester countertop material that can be joined seamlessly. It suits clinics and wet areas because it is easy to sanitise.
Short-term rentals and lodging
Big Sky, West Yellowstone and Bozeman have many nightly and short-term rental properties. Rental kitchens and baths need residential looks with commercial durability, because guests are hard on cabinets.
Montana building rules treat places that provide sleeping accommodations for a fee to transient guests differently from private homes, and ARM 24.301.146 says the residential exemption does not apply to lodging uses. If a property is used that way, check with the Department of Labor and Industry about permit requirements before remodelling.
Bozeman also has a growing number of restaurants, breweries and cafes, where back-of-house casework takes heat, water and heavy use. For food service we use materials that meet the cleaning demands of health inspections, such as sealed laminate and solid surface, and we leave the stainless work tables and sinks to the food service equipment supplier.
Montana State University also drives steady demand for lab, office and student housing fit-outs around Bozeman, where casework must survive constant turnover of users.
What drives commercial cabinetry cost
Commercial projects vary widely. These factors matter most.
Scale
Linear footage and number of rooms drive material and labour.
Material choices
Wood veneer costs more than laminate.
Schedule and phasing
After-hours or phased work adds time.
Commercial spaces and dry air
Commercial buildings in Bozeman run their HVAC hard in winter, and large spaces with lots of fresh air intake can be very dry. Solid wood casework in a lobby can shrink and open joints.
For commercial work we favour stable veneered panels and laminates over solid wood, and we finish all faces so parts move evenly.
Clinics and workrooms
Clinic workrooms and break rooms need casework that is easy to clean, resists chemicals and stores supplies securely. Laminate casework with solid-surface tops and locking uppers is the standard for these spaces.
Break rooms and staff kitchens are another common commercial job. They see more users than any home kitchen, so we choose laminate or solid-surface tops, heavy-duty runners and hinges, and finishes that tolerate daily cleaning with commercial products. Dishwashers, refrigerators and coffee equipment are built in to the maker specifications, and locks can be fitted to supply cupboards.
Bring us in early
Involve us during design development. Casework decisions affect plumbing, electrical and accessibility, and early input saves changes later.
Tell us early about any equipment that will live in or on the casework, such as point-of-sale terminals, printers, medical fridges or coffee machines. Power, data, ventilation and weight all affect the design, and they are far easier to build in than to retrofit. We also ask how the space will be cleaned, because cleaning products decide which surfaces last. Finally, confirm who supplies countertops and sinks, since commercial scopes often split those between trades and gaps in the scope cause delays at install. A single scope sheet listing who supplies each item avoids that problem entirely.
What we need for a commercial quote
- Architectural drawings and specifications.
- Schedule and contractor contact.
- Finish selections or allowance.
- Any accessibility requirements.
Questions about commercial cabinetry
Does commercial cabinetry need a building permit in Montana?
The casework is part of the commercial building permit for the project. Outside certified cities, the state Department of Labor and Industry issues commercial building permits. Inside Bozeman or Belgrade, the city issues them. The general contractor usually holds the permit.
What counter height is required for accessibility?
Accessible work surfaces usually fall between 28 and 34 inches above the floor with knee clearance below. Montana adopts ICC A117.1 as its accessibility standard, and the architect specifies which counters must comply.
Can you work with our general contractor?
Yes. We work to the contractor schedule, provide submittals and coordinate with other trades. Most of our commercial work comes through contractors and architects.
What materials are best for commercial cabinets?
High-pressure laminate is the most durable and easy to clean. Wood veneer with a catalyzed finish suits reception and executive spaces. Solid-surface tops suit wet and clinical areas.
Do you build cabinets for short-term rentals?
Yes. We build rental kitchens and baths with durable finishes and heavy-duty hardware, so they look residential but handle heavy use from guests.
Can casework be installed while a business is open?
Often, with phasing or after-hours work. We plan install sequences to keep dust and disruption to a minimum.
Can commercial cabinets have locks?
Yes. We fit keyed locks, keyed alike or individually, to doors and drawers. Clinics and offices often need secure storage for records and supplies.
Do you provide shop drawings for approval?
Yes. We prepare shop drawings and material samples for review by the architect and owner before fabrication.
How long does commercial casework take?
It depends on scope and the approval process. We give a schedule based on the drawings and the contractor timeline.
Can you match our brand colours in commercial casework?
Yes. Laminates come in a wide range of colours and we can spray painted finishes to a specific colour. We provide samples for approval before fabrication.
Work that pairs with commercial cabinetry
Commercial projects draw on the same shop skills as our residential work. These services connect to it.
- Custom Cabinet Fabrication
- Cabinet Installation
- Custom Cabinet Design
- Hardwood Cabinetry
- Garage Cabinets & Storage
- Modern Flat-Panel Cabinets
Casework built for daily public useDurable casework for offices, clinics, restaurants and rentals.
Call 406-521-7523