Verified record
Gary Barcus has been building custom woodwork under his own name since 1982, and G.B. Woodworking's written reviews now run 14 years without a single negative one — three platforms, more than 80 combined ratings, all five stars. The work is almost entirely built-ins: bookcases, media centers, mudroom storage, window seats, a Murphy bed, closets, and cabinetry designed to fit spaces that don't cooperate. Reviewers repeatedly mention Gary handling old Boston housing stock's quirks — a 2022 Houzz review described him building a wall of cabinetry and bookshelves around a window in a house with crooked walls "with no problem," and a 2021 review described an apartment "hopelessly out of square" where he built window-seat bookcases, pivoting bookcases, a Murphy bed, and concealed-closet double doors. A 2024 review described turning a 1900 South End brownstone short on storage into a home with none of that problem left. More recently, a June 2026 review described two separate built-in units — one for a home, one for a condo — both called impeccable, and a February 2026 review described a custom pantry and bar built into two small nooks, with Gary offering design suggestions the homeowner hadn't considered. The pattern holds across the years: prompt communication, transparent scheduling, and design input that reviewers say improved on what they'd asked for. One client describes hiring him for multiple projects and says the quality has stayed consistent throughout. Houzz has awarded the business ten Houzz Awards and three badges, and its profile lists a self-reported Massachusetts home improvement contractor license, though it wasn't independently checked against the state registry here. For custom built-ins, cabinetry, or bookshelves — especially in an older home with awkward or non-standard space — this is about as long and consistent a written history as a Boston contractor gets. Given the depth of demand the reviews describe, it's worth asking about current scheduling early.
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from G. B. Woodworking. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
A typical single-level deck is 12×16 — about 200 sq ft.
Estimated range
$7,750 – $14,500
Typical carpentry project around $11,100
GB Woodworking was such a great find. Gary (the owner and master craftsman) actually made me two built-in units; one for my home and one for my condo. His work is impeccable and the units are very well made. He is a true craftsman and his attention to detail is amazing. He only uses the finest materials. Also, he is very easy to deal with and is very responsible in terms of his commitments. Gary really knows his trade so he can give you lots of ideas on your project. He helped me immensely in figuring out exactly what I needed. He can also ensure that you don’t make any senseless mistakes in your design. He gives accurate timelines and once he starts on your job, he is totally committed. Another positive feature, is that the staff that works for Gary, are very professional. When you deal with custom cabinets, the install is just as important as the cabinets themselves. Gary and his team go through great pains to make sure the install is just as perfect as the custom cabinets themselves. The crew didn’t damage anything when they did their install work and were very consciousness. Attached are two photos of both the finished projects that he created for me. In terms of cost, built-in units are not cheap but I did not find Gary’s pricing to be excessive at all. I would use him again if I needed anything more. I would not hesitate at all to recommend him.
Gary designed and built us gorgeous built-ins for a space we otherwise weren’t using. They turned out even better than anticipated. Gary’s work is impeccable; he is a true master of his craft. He also was a very prompt communicator and delivered right on time. We would highly recommend GB Woodworking!
We hired Gary to construct and install a custom pantry and "bar" area into two small nooks in our Boston condo. Working with Gary throughout the entire process was so easy, from the design phase (where he made several valuable suggestions that we wouldn't have thought of), to the construction phase (where he accommodated a few rather last minute requests from my end), to the scheduling and installation day itself. We are so happy with the craftsmanship of the final product and it totally transformed some previously unusable space into something functional and pleasant to look at. Highly recommend!
Great construction, finishing, and installation - the woodworking trifecta! And, the pricing is very competitive! A pleasure to work with, and will work with again.
We’ve worked with Gary at GB Woodworking on multiple projects in the greater Boston area and have consistently been impressed with the quality and execution of his work. His cabinetry and woodworking are clean, well-built, and thoughtfully detailed, with strong attention to fit and finish. Gary runs a professional, reliable operation, and it shows in the consistency of the finished product. Highly recommend GB Woodworking for custom woodworking and cabinetry in the Boston area.
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1 change recorded — last scanned Jul 17, 2026.
Custom cabinetry specialist5.0
Rescues stalled projects5.0
Custom built-ins4.5
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