05 / Guide / Selection
Compare the work, the scope and the working method. A strong portfolio is only the first check.
Discovery framework
Start with previous project type. Then check capability, customisation, communication, quotation structure, production stages, delivery and aftercare.
Price is one input. A low initial figure may exclude design, finish, transport or fitting. A higher figure may reflect complex material, detailed drawings or difficult access. Compare like with like.
Look for work similar in object type, scale, material and level of customisation. A portfolio can show taste without proving the ability to deliver your specific brief. Ask which images represent one-off work, limited production or repeatable products. Request relevant drawings or finish examples where appropriate.
List the required operations: cabinetmaking, joinery, metalwork, stone preparation, glass, upholstery, finishing, delivery or installation. Confirm which are carried out in-house and which rely on partners. Review available timber, panel, stone, metal, glass, leather and textile categories. Ask how natural variation and substitutions are managed.
Define what can change. It may be overall dimensions, shelf spacing, hardware, edge profile, colour, textile or construction. Drawings should make the approved object measurable. Check scale, elevations, sections, materials, finish and revision date. Communication should state who answers technical questions and how decisions are recorded.
A useful quotation separates design, materials, fabrication, finishing, hardware, upholstery, packaging, delivery and installation. It should state taxes where relevant, payment stages, assumptions, exclusions and the treatment of changes. Deposits and staged payments are commercial terms. Read the cancellation and refund conditions before accepting.
Ask what happens after approval. Production stages may include ordering, preparation, assembly, finishing, inspection and packing. Do not assume a stated estimate is a fixed promise. Material availability, revision requests, specialist suppliers, workshop workload and access can affect the sequence. Confirm how updates are provided.
Delivery planning should cover address, access, lifting, stairs, lift dimensions, parking, protection, assembly and disposal of packing. Installation may involve levelling, anchoring, wall conditions or coordination with other trades. State who is responsible for each task.
Request care instructions for each surface. Ask whether hardware can be adjusted, upholstery can be repaired, covers can be replaced and finishes can be refreshed. Understand the response route for a defect or damage claim. Returns and cancellation terms can differ for standard products and made-to-order work, so read the written conditions.
Furniture budgets can be grouped as entry, considered, high-complexity or highly bespoke, but these categories are not fixed market prices. Dimensions, material, construction complexity, finish, hardware, upholstery, transport, installation and production time all affect cost. Compare the same specification across proposals. A different material or excluded service changes the comparison.