The short answer is that free in-person estimates aren't actually free — someone is paying for them, usually through higher overhead built into the price.

As a small business, time is the most valuable resource. Every hour spent on a free site visit is an hour taken away from clients who have already invested in their projects. Stopping production to visit a home at no charge isn't something we can absorb without compromising the work already in progress.

There's also real value in what happens during an in-person consultation — it's not a quick walkthrough. It's a focused conversation about your space, your vision, your lifestyle, and what's actually possible. That deserves dedicated attention, not a rushed free estimate squeezed between other appointments.

Think of it this way: you wouldn't expect a doctor, an attorney, or any other skilled professional to come to your home and diagnose your problem for free. Custom cabinetry is no different. The consultation is where the expertise begins — and that expertise has value.

That said, we do offer a no-cost starting point. Fill out our project inquiry form at ancawoodworks.com/contact with as much detail as possible about your project, and we'll provide a ballpark range based on your scope — no commitment, no site visit required.

The first step is a consultation. We'll discuss your project in detail — your vision, your space, your budget, and your timeline. From there, we'll determine whether ANCA is the right fit and what the next steps look like. You can book a consultation at ancawoodworks.com/contact.

The initial phone consultation is complimentary. If you decide to move forward, a Planning & Design Deposit is required to begin the formal design process — this covers field measurements, 3D renderings, elevation drawings, material specifications, and a firm project proposal.

The Planning & Design Deposit is a non-refundable fee — typically 10% of the estimated project cost — that reserves your spot in the schedule and funds the full design phase. This is the phase where your project is built in detail and all selections are made. It's what prevents surprises, change orders, and miscommunication down the line. A project well planned is a project half done.

Once the Planning & Design Deposit is received, we schedule a full on-site measurement and design consultation. From there, we develop elevation drawings, 3D renderings, material samples, and a detailed proposal with final pricing. You review and approve everything before production begins.

Every project is different depending on scope and complexity. A standard kitchen typically takes 6–10 weeks from signed agreement to installation. Smaller projects like closets or built-ins may move faster. Timeline is discussed and agreed upon during the design phase.

Yes. ANCA Woodworks handles delivery and installation directly. Every component is custom fitted and scribed to your actual walls and floors.

Scribing is the process of fitting cabinetry and all its components precisely to imperfect walls, floors, and ceilings. No two spaces are perfectly square or plumb. Scribing ensures your cabinetry fits seamlessly into the actual space — not just the plans — with a clean, built-in look that feels like it was always there.

Custom cabinetry is built specifically for your space — not pulled from a catalog. Every piece is designed, fabricated, and installed by one craftsman. The materials, the process, and the level of detail are simply not comparable to semi-custom or stock options. When comparing quotes, make sure you're comparing apples to apples — the process behind the price matters as much as the price itself.

Typically: 10% Planning & Design Deposit to begin the design phase, 50% production deposit to begin fabrication, 40% upon cabinet delivery, and 10% upon installation completion. Payment terms are outlined in the project agreement

Yes. We accept cash, check, and credit cards. Credit card payments are subject to a 3.5% transaction fee.

ANCA uses furniture-grade materials throughout — including UV2 Domestic Maple Plywood for cabinet boxes and drawer boxes, solid hardwoods for door frames and fillers, and premium hardware including soft-close, full-extension Italian slides and hinges. For clients seeking something distinctive, we also work with a curated selection of innovative surfaces including ultra-matte, anti-fingerprint laminates and natural bio-based materials.

ANCA specializes in European style (frameless) custom fitted cabinetry — clean lines, full overlay doors and drawer fronts, and no unnecessary ornamentation. This style maximizes interior storage space and creates a sleek, modern look that works well in contemporary, transitional, and minimalist interiors.

Frameless cabinetry — also called European style — means the cabinet box has no face frame. Doors and drawer fronts cover the full opening, creating a cleaner look and allowing more accessible storage. It's the standard in European and modern design, and it's the style ANCA builds exclusively.

Yes. ANCA regularly collaborates with architects, interior designers, and general contractors. We work directly from existing plans and specifications, integrating seamlessly into your design process. If you're a design professional looking for a trade partner, reach out via ancawoodworks.com/contact.

Yes. Andres is fully bilingual — English and Spanish. Se habla español.

ANCA Woodworks is based in Chattanooga, TN and serves the greater Chattanooga area including Hixson, Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Red Bank, East Brainerd, and surrounding communities.