The best kept secret is the fine work done by Shigoto-ya. I sought a craftsman who could listen to my ideas, improve on it and deliver quality work. Shigoto-ya succeeded! I met with both Gordon and Nikko Hirano and we talked about what I wanted to do and my budget. They came up with the concept, timeline and approximate deposit and cost. They were very easy to work with. Within two weeks, they measured and remeasured my window. Once the panels were made, I was invited in to the shop to create the Shoji design. I didn't want the traditional grid pattern, joking that I didn't want my neighbors to think I was opening a sushi restaurant. I was looking for something simple and elegant, present but not distracting. I said the design would be what I considered to look like artwork, except covering my front window. It turned out fantastic! Installation took a few days, which was fine because this was not a cookie cutter product. They were extremely careful to measure everything appropriately to ensure the fit. The screens are beautiful! So much so that I had Shigoto-ya install shoji screens to continue with the theme. I never thought my living room could look so beautiful! The next morning, I saw the sunlight diffused through the screens. It truly felt like a religious experience. Now I have to move onto the next step and start painting the rooms. I highly recommend Shigoto-ya for their fine work and expertise! read more

Shigoto Ya - Cabinetry Near Me - Richmond, California

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Please hire anyone else, there are good shoji makers like Portland Shoji Screen or LA Shoji, really anyone else. I have never regretted hiring anyone more than Gordon. We commissioned Gordon to make 3 things: a bathroom vanity, a closet and a screen that divided the bedroom from the bathroom. Having worked with him for over 7 years, we paid him in advance after agreeing to the amount for all items, delivery dates and terms. Then the nightmare began. Gordon began to fall behind. Suddenly, he could't make the dates we agreed to, he did not provide drawings on time, he "forgot" half of the items needed including drawer pulls, shelves, etc and then wanted to bill more for them even though they were in our initial emails and discussions. He fought with the other contractors and stormed off, forcing the project to fall behind for more than a week. Now, it has been closer to 3.5 months with nothing provided. We were in dire need of the bathroom vanity so we could have a sink and when it finally showed up, it was damaged all over, drawers didn't close, banding was poorly done, shelves were scratched, etc. When I showed him the damage, he said it would be fixed, it never was, including him dropping off a "new" shelves which was totally wrecked and he then "realized" it was not the right one and bought back the damaged shelf, 2 months later. Then came the bills. I have invoices showing things were paid in full, emails stating what those bills included in great detail but Gordon now wanted more. He would not deliver the vanity unless we paid 100% more in costs. We were desperate, so we did, only to find out that he did not do the pulls we agreed to and wanted $800 more for them, he did not do the top of the vanity we agreed to and now said it had to be granite, which I did not want, costing $1600 more and putting us behind another month. His designs were so badly done, which he also tried to bill more for, the granite company had to send out their own guy, which was also another charge. Then came the screen. Gordon delayed and delayed, then, when I began pressing for it, he said it would be another 2 months for it. Again, I was over a barrel as going to anyone else would take just as long now, after waiting 4 months. He promised, in writing, it would be delivered no later than the beginning of June. He had our money so we agreed to wait. Come mid-June, he still had done nothing and shows up with a bill for 100% more for the exact item we had already paid for. We told him no, that it was in writing: the delivery date, what it included and the amount, he screamed at us, hung up and refused, 7 months later, to do the job. I am now taking him to court to get my money back. I have hired someone else to do the work. He never made the screen nor the closet. I will never work with Gordon again. His business partner, Frank, passed last year, and I did not realize that he was the one holding the place together. The fact that I have to sue him for services not rendered is insane. On top of that, the one item he made is already falling apart. What a shame Shigoto Ya has become this shoddy, unreliable, dishonest mess. I do not often leave negative reviews, but Gordon and his work are not worth your time. read more

Don't listen to that other lady's review. This place does great work and has been a part of the community for 40 years. They wouldn't be in business if there were bad. Gordon does beautiful work. He's a hilarious guy too. Make sure to say hi to his dog Bob Barker lol. read more

I called to schedule a quote and when asked when I wanted it done, I said as soon as possible, and was told rudely told that he wasn't available for 8-12 weeks, and as far as business was concerned, I should have called 12 months ago. I will never do business with someone who wants to down talk on me as if I'm stupid. There was no reason for him to talk to me in such a degrading manor. Bad business guy. I will never recommend your services to anyone. By the way, I'm in construction myself and the only reason why I cannot complete this project myself is because I am swamped. I will make sure word gets around about your unprofessional mannerism. Asshole. read more

"Shigoto Ya" means Workplace. If you want to build anything from wood , this is a place for you. Old fashion woodworking place. Frank and Gordon will build for you new kitchen cabinets, solid mohagony doors, repair old Tonsu and you'll be welcome at the door by the old yellow Lab...... They came all the way to Nevada to do the job for me , beautiful cherry kitchen cabinets...... They have a sense of humor and they know their craft. read more

We were lucky enough to find Shigota-Ya through our architect and after interviewing a few other cabinetmakers, these folks were nice enough to invite us over to check out their shop. Well, we are woodworkers and a shop tour is like a kid in a candy store. Anyway, before they even talked business, they gave us the grand tour of the shop. I knew in a heartbeat that these guys were the ones. They showed us cabinets that they were currently making. The attention to detail is impeccable and I will say you won't be able to find this level of skill in "custom cabinetry" that you'd get from the big box stores. The doors incorporated beautiful grain patterns that flowed and highlighted how well constructed these cabinets were. The components were not nail-gunned together. I knew looking at the way they were being constructed, carefully sanded, beautifully finished, that these cabinets will last a lifetime. We thanked them for the shop tour and asked for a time estimate. They were booked out for a few months so we thanked them for their time and walked out back to our car. Discussed the quality of the cabinets while in the car and within 5 minutes, we called them back up and told them we'd drop a check off to hold our spot in line. When it was our turn next in the queue to get our cabinets manufactured, they came out and measured the spaces. They gave us their recommendations and magically, the cabinets arrived some time later. BEAUTIFUL. HANDCRAFTED. PERFECT. We never one had to worry about it, everything just fit perfect in the space because they have been in the industry for decades and know what they are doing. Our idiot contractors installed these beautiful cabinets all wrong (I knew it was a problem when our idiots didn't even bother to SCRIBE the edges for installation). Shigota-ya came back out to fix all screw ups these idiots left because they took one look at it and said it was just wrong to have cabinets start their life like this (esp. when they arrived fine). They fixed the stripped screws, readjusted the doors that were hung crooked, and filled all the gaps the idiot contractors left because they didn't scribe the cabinets. After we got our idiot contractor out, we also found out Shigota-ya does general contracting. We hired them to finish the rest of the stuff the original one never/couldn't finish. Wished we knew they were contractors first because they would have gotten the job and we would never have to stress so hard. They have a good eye for design and won't waste your time. However, be prepared to wait in line as they are super busy. Don't expect to walk into their shop demanding they drop all their customers to work on your project immediately. Their entire team is wonderful to work with and very courteous and professional. Project management is spot on (unless it is you who can't decide on materials and colors...) and they manage the budget extremely efficiently. These guys are easy to work with, give you their opinion and work together with the client to ensure a successful job. They follow-up on what needs to be done and also work great with the local building inspectors. We've seen our share of previous contractors fighting with the building inspectors (who of course failed them). In this day and age, it is rare to find contractors like these folks who are honest, trustworthy, and care about their quality of work. And they have a freaking awesome wood shop. read more