i30 Builders · Garland, TX
Custom Built-Ins and Carpentry in Garland
We design and build custom built-ins in Garland: bookcases, window seats, media walls and paneling, made to fit one room. When one needs wiring or framing, we pull the Garland permit.
Permits handled. Written scope and price before any deposit.
Get a written estimate
Four fields. We call back within one business day to set up the site visit.
- GL + umbrella coverage
- $1M + $1M
- Workmanship warranty
- 1-yr
- Cities served
- 33
Do custom built-ins and carpentry need a permit in Garland?
Garland's development code wants a building permit for any repair or alteration to a building, so a built-in that opens a wall or changes framing is permit work. Shelf lights, outlets or a switch inside a built-in add a residential electrical permit, pulled by a state-licensed electrician registered with the city, unless you live in and homestead the house and do that wiring yourself.
Where a Garland built-in meets the permit rules
- Garland's development code requires a building permit for any new construction, addition, repair or alteration to a building in the city, and makes the Building Official the one who issues it. We ask the Building Official how a built-in that only fastens to finished walls reads before we treat it as exempt. Garland Development Code, Chapter 4, Article 1, Division 4, Building Permit, § 4.11(B) and (C)
- The residential application asks for a description of the work, its value and its square footage, and whether electrical, mechanical or plumbing subcontractors are on it. A built-in is drawn and described in full before anything is filed. City of Garland Permit Application for Residential Construction, revised 11/23
- Garland acts on permits for additions and interior completions within 14 business days. Electrical and plumbing permits are reviewed while you wait. City of Garland, Plan Review Response Times
Read from the city’s own documents on the dates linked. Codes and fees change and city staff interpret them, so we confirm for your address before we pull the permit.
Lights, outlets and windows in a built-in
- A residential electrical permit in Garland is $150, plus the city's non-refundable 4.5 percent technology surcharge. Lit shelves, a charging outlet in a desk or a switch for cabinet lights all land here. City of Garland, Electrical Repair / Meter Base Upgrade
- On a rental house, a state-licensed electrician registered with Garland does any of that wiring. The city allows no exceptions. City of Garland, Electrical Repair / Meter Base Upgrade
- An owner who lives in the house, has a homestead exemption through the Dallas Central Appraisal District and shows a license with the address can sign a homeowner's affidavit and do the wiring personally. The affidavit stays on site with the permit, and the Building Official can void it if the work turns out hazardous, sending it to a registered electrical contractor. City of Garland Electrical Homeowner's Affidavit, revised August 2025
- In a new room, Garland wants an outlet within 6 feet of each door or cased opening and then every 12 feet of wall. A wall of cabinets in an addition is drawn around those outlets, not over them. City of Garland, Additions, Electrical plugs
- A bedroom window has to meet the city's height, width and open-area rules so it can serve as a way out. A window seat built under one leaves it able to open all the way. City of Garland, Additions, Windows
Read from the city’s own documents on the dates linked. Codes and fees change and city staff interpret them, so we confirm for your address before we pull the permit.
Who registers with Garland
- A general contractor registers with Garland's Building Inspection department with a copy of the owner's or a principal's driver's license. City of Garland Contractor Application for Registration
- State law stops the city from charging electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors a registration fee, but they still register. An electrical contractor sends the state contractor license, the master electrician license and the master's driver's license. City of Garland Contractor Application for Registration
- The form asks for a cell phone carrier so the city can text inspection results, and binds the registrant to tell the Building Official in writing, right away, if it stops serving as the contractor. City of Garland Contractor Application for Registration
Read from the city’s own documents on the dates linked. Codes and fees change and city staff interpret them, so we confirm for your address before we pull the permit.
Garland Questions
What people in Garland ask us
Do I need a permit for a built-in bookcase in Garland?
Garland's code wants a permit for any alteration to a building. A bookcase that opens a wall, moves framing or adds wiring is permit work. For one that only fastens to the finished wall, we get the Building Official's answer before we start.
What if my built-in has lights or outlets?
That is a residential electrical permit in Garland, pulled by a state-licensed electrician registered with the city. If you live in the house and it is your homestead, you may do that wiring yourself on a homeowner's affidavit.
Do you repair or install store-bought cabinets?
No. We design and build built-ins to fit your room, from the first drawing to the last coat of finish.
Can a window seat go under a bedroom window?
Yes, if the window can still open fully. Garland holds bedroom windows to size and open-area rules so they work as a way out.
How do you price custom built-ins in Garland?
We measure the room and talk through the piece, then put the price in writing. Size, wood, paint or stain, doors and drawers, and any lights or wiring move it most. The price does not move unless the scope does.
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Get a written estimate in Garland
Tell us what you want built and roughly how big. We check the city and HOA rules for your address and price the scope in writing.
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