Our approach to custom work comes in three forms
tell us exactly what you would like, providing a plan, diagram, or sketch & we will make it for you OR
we can have a design consultation where we will discuss basic elements of what you’re looking for, what materials you like, then we will come back with a draft design which we continue to refine with you - consultations will be via Skype or FaceTime, but for built-in pieces we will come for a design visit OR
you give us full creative freedom & just tell us what you want & where its going! Be brave!
Whichever option you choose we will agree the final price (including any delivery charges) and a delivery timescale. For larger pieces, and particualrly built-in work we will give you regular updates on progress & you’ll get a chance to change the design or finish as we make your piece. Of course there is actually a fourth option….take a look at our store or previous project videos & we can make that piece again, perhaps with some minor design changes
Pricing for custom work is often the mystifying part of the process…we base our pricing on the cost of materials, and then apply a day rate for how long it will take to make - therefore, if your piece requires the materials to require a lot of preparation (e.g. milling timber particualrly on character/vintage style pieces) or the finished item requires complex joinery or very refined finish, it takes us longer, so of course the price goes up. The time to build a piece is variable on many factors, but for quality custom work, you are typically looking at 4-6 weeks after order confirmation. Lastly when it comes to the materials used we are happy to use something you already have, but typically we will source & select great materials from trusted suppliers
The portfolio below gives you some idea of the design process, timescales & guide pricing on previous projects…
sun lounger
This chair/lounger was designed to give a good deal of lumber support, with raised legs in a comfortable seating position, laying back with a good book & a glass of something nice, taking in the sun!
The timber used was redwood pine, as the client wanted to paint it a “funky” colour themsleves to match with the palette of their newly landscaped garden.
Pine is a cost effective material but needs to be treated or re-painted with an appropriate outdoor paint every couple of years, particularly in wet climates. The same piece could be made with more durable species like cedar or oak & then the item would just need to be treated with an oil based finish, leaving the amzazing wood grain on display. This significantly raises the price though, so the same design could be almost double the price, however, the maintenance is much simpler & less frequent - this item is now available for order in our store
Guide pricing (not including delivery)
For an unpainted item in sustainable redwood pine - £250; with a waterproof paint of your choosing - £280; same design, but with a higer quality timber like western red cedar - £370; with a high quality oiled finish £410
small desk with drawers (or BEDSIDE)
The client wanted a desk in their hallway to work from home, but they didn’t want a large executive desk because when they weren’t working, the idea was for it to become a sideboard.
They didn’t really have an idea of materials or design so we were given creative freedom (my favourite commission!) - during the consultation we recommended a “chunky” rustic style to match their parque flooring & general interior design throughout the house - initially there weren’t going to be any drawers, but they asked for a single bedside unit for a guest room in the same style & I recommended two units, one that would fit under the desk, but could equally become a bedside at a later date!
The timber was imported Quebec Yellow Pine - a durable softwood which is very sustainable, but more expensive than European Pines as it is slower growing. The finish is a natural beeswax product, that tints & protects the wood, creating a warm tone - the hardware (drawer pulls) are heritage cup handles
Guide Pricing (not including delivery)
This item without the drawers would be £440; with a single drawer unit £580 - it measures 20 inches (508mm) x 60 inches (1,524mm)
built-in shelving for alcove
This project was entirely made from old scaffold boards (reclaimed timber) that the client had left over from their builders during a renovation - the hardware was antique pewter cup handles - the piece was built to measure the alcove in the client’s living room
The base unit has drawers on one side, but a cupboard made to look like drawers on the other (can you tell which way round?) - this creates the option for both but adds a more uniform look to the piece. The wine rack was also made from the scaffold boards, and were introduced as a change to the original design of two sets of longer drawers. I recommended the change when one of the reclaimed boards was simply too bad to use, so we had less material. I knew the client was a wine lover (during the initial consultation) so they loved the change & saw it as an upgrade! The boards were 1 1/2 inches, so for the drawers I created 3/4 inch boards by cutting length ways (known as re-sawing) - the client liked the saw marks I recommeded in conjunction with the stain & clear beeswax finish, but if a planed look was desired then more milling would be required - increasing the price
Guide Pricing
£750 with reclaimed timber from the client; with timber (e.g. Quebec Yellow Pine) suppplied £1,150