If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
At Gold Standard, we deliver professional, high-quality construction services with reliability you can count on. We specialize in cabinet fabrication and installation, millwork, tenant improvements, finish carpentry, as well as ongoing facility repairs and general maintenance. Our team brings precision craftsmanship, clear communication, and strong project management to every project — ensuring the job is done right, on time, and to the highest standard.
We are efficient, provide detailed proposals, and get the work done right the first time. Whether it’s a small upgrade or a larger build-out, we treat every project with the highest standard of craftsmanship.
If you’re looking for dependable construction professionals who take pride in their work — Gold Standard is ready to deliver. One of the owners, Thor Michelsen, has 14 years of finish carpentry experience. He specializes in custom millwork, but we offer many different aspects of carpentry, and building maintenance.
Overview
Hired 8 times
Serves San Leandro, CA
Background checked
4 employees
1 year in business
Business hours
Sun6:00 am - 9:00 pmMon6:00 am - 9:00 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, Credit card, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.
Services offered
Cabinet location
Kitchen
Bathroom
Dining / living room
Laundry room
Will professional need to remove old cabinets?
Needs removal
Property type
Home
Multi-unit building
Office / business
Commercial
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and value.
Exceptional 5.0
7 reviews
5
100%
4
0%
3
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Read reviews that mention:
Laura B.
Feb 17, 2026
Thor did a truly fantastic job bringing our vision to life. From our very first conversation, it was clear that he takes tremendous pride in every aspect of his work. What started as an idea for a master bedroom built-in turned into a stunning, custom piece that completely transformed the space.
This project wasn’t simple — it included a TV feature wall, custom drawers, integrated electrical, lighting, a fireplace, and even a built-in dog crate for our two small dogs. Thor handled every detail with incredible care and craftsmanship. He has a great eye for design and offered thoughtful suggestions that elevated the final result far beyond what we originally imagined. He also patiently walked us through each step of the process, collaborating closely and making sure we were comfortable with every decision (which I truly appreciated).
What sets Thor apart is that he doesn’t just build cabinetry — he creates functional art. The finished piece is both beautiful and practical, with seamless integration of all the components. Knowing that part of the built-in would house our two little dogs, he made safety a priority and ensured the crate area was thoughtfully designed and secure for our girls.
The quality, attention to detail, and overall professionalism exceeded our expectations. If we ever add new cabinetry or custom work to our home, Thor will absolutely be our first call.
Steven C.
Feb 17, 2026
Having worked with Thor for the past couple of years on a wide variety of jobs (replace a deck, repaint and re-hang kitchen cabinets, extensive carpentry and finishing work in a bedroom and bathroom remodel) I have found him to be a pleasure to work with and to be highly skilled in all aspects of his work.
Karl U.
Jul 11, 2022
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Thor is highly reliable, responsive, and professional. He is a perfectionist and will do what it takes to ensure a great outcome. He can do pretty much anything in wood. For my custom home, he built all kitchen cabinets and vanities from scratch (including custom wood laminate), installed all birch plywood ceilings, milled and installed custom white oak window trim, hung all doors and installed hardware, and installed all door casing and baseboard. Probably most impressive is a custom white oak ship ladder and wood and steel rail for the library loft.
Details: Interior trim or decorative molding installation • Residential
Finish Carpentry
Scott S.
Mar 3, 2026
Thor is a true craftsman. We were looking for a bespoke railing that many others said they either couldn’t do or would cost double. Thor took great care in understanding what we were looking for and was very communicative during the process. The final result was a work of art—it makes me smile every time I see it and is something guests ALWAYS comment on. We highly recommend Thor and Gold Standard Maintenance for any custom project!
Nathan P.
Mar 17, 2023
I can't recommend Thor enough. He embodies exactly what you look for in a tradesman and a project manager. I have had plenty of experience with various contractors and tradesmen over the years and Thor has been my favorite to work with. At the forefront, you want someone who demonstrates honesty and integrity - that's Thor. He's a straight-shooter and a good, direct communicator. In addition, he's skilled, knowledgeable, personable, and efficient. He has a great eye for detail and wants to complete the job in a way that's going to leave the client completely satisfied. He's not one to try and rush the work just to get a job over with. If he sees something within the scope of the job that would be beneficial, he'll point it out and let you know what your options are - which can really save you some trouble down the road. That said, he also keeps to his schedule and doesn't waste any time. He's a great problem solver, willing to find creative solutions for the issues that inevitably come up with any project.
Thor has great relationships with other tradesmen and subs, so all the work on his jobs is top-notch. His subs are cut from the same cloth as he is. On the job site, Thor is present and hands-on, keeping a close eye on the job so you have full faith that everything will go smoothly and any issues can be quickly addressed.
In this day and age it's hard to find someone who cares about their job the way Thor does. You can tell he enjoys the work and is proud of what he does. Whatever your project, you will be in great hands with Thor.
Credentials
Background Check
Thor Michelsen
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I love the bigger projects/high end. But I will take on smaller projects at a reasonable price.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
4 year carpentry apprenticeship school
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
