Specially skilled workers in custom furniture shops may shape and finish elaborately curved pieces, and a few may also do carving and inlay work. Shop practices vary as to who installs the cabinets and who paints or finishes them. Generally, installation is part of the Cabinetmaker's duties, while painting and finishing may be left to others. However, in some custom furniture shops, the Cabinetmaker performs all these functions. Some shops may not be heated.
Workers are subject to the noise of woodworking machines and the presence of wood dust.
The work demands continuous moderate physical activity, and usually entails some heavy lifting. Journey-level Cabinetmakers may be expected to have their own hand tools. They start accumulating these during their training and gradually build up a kit as they gain skill and experience. Cabinetmakers in union shops are required to join the local union. Some shops that make household cabinets or commercial and church fixtures have contracts with the Millmen and Industrial Carpenters Local or the Cabinetmakers and Millmen Local which are affiliated with the Carpenters Union.