{"id":533,"date":"2014-12-18T12:46:26","date_gmt":"2014-12-18T01:46:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.handkrafted.com/blog\/?p=533"},"modified":"2014-12-19T07:45:36","modified_gmt":"2014-12-18T20:45:36","slug":"factors-influencing-the-cost-of-custom-furniture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.handkrafted.com/blog\/factors-influencing-the-cost-of-custom-furniture\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Factors Influencing the Cost of Custom Furniture"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thinking of commissioning a beautiful and entirely unique piece of custom made furniture but unsure what elements will determine the price?\u00a0We take a look at some of\u00a0the factors and key questions influencing the cost of bespoke\u00a0furniture.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Clients occasionally query what a bespoke furniture piece is likely to cost. Ultimately, the cost is extremely\u00a0variable and it really comes down to a question of what you want and value.<\/p>\n

Like a custom engagement ring or made-to-measure tailored suit, purchasing a custom made\u00a0piece of furniture is an adventure with a unique result that is entirely personal to you.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll assume you already have a good sense of the benefits of local custom craftsmanship relative to mass-produced goods. For more insight on that topic, refer to an earlier post titled 6 Benefits to Buying Custom<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here are six of the key variables influencing the cost of having a piece of furniture custom made:<\/p>\n

1. Materials<\/strong>. What type of timber or material is desired?<\/p>\n

The cost of different timber species varies considerably. Mass-produced furniture available at discount retailers will often use veneers over particle board (MDF) to minimise costs.<\/p>\n

Reclaimed and recycled timbers can add a great deal of character and often contain a history and story. Yet it\u2019s not always a cheaper option for a number of reasons, not least the additional preparation and treatment often required such as de-nailing and paint removal.<\/p>\n

Another factor is whether the raw materials are sourced locally or from sustainable sources (ie. renewable and responsible forest management).<\/p>\n

2. Build Quality. <\/strong>What specification of build are you looking for?<\/p>\n

Bespoke production by a local furniture maker is unlikely to be based on a flat-pack design and most definitely not manufactured to be mass-produced at the lowest possible cost. Our makers specialise in creating quality products built to last a lifetime (and longer).<\/p>\n

3. Joinery Sophistication. <\/strong>How much joinery is involved?<\/p>\n

Customers are occasionally surprised to hear that a chair can often cost more to produce than a dining table. While the cost of the raw materials may be much less, the joinery effort in a typical chair will often involve a great deal more time and effort. The same can be said for the amount of joinery and effort in producing pieces containing drawers.<\/p>\n

A simpler and lower cost design will often be one requiring less joinery and detail.<\/p>\n

4. Design Overhead. <\/strong>Is it being built from an existing design?<\/p>\n

Does the maker need to spend time on design or is it simply a customisation of one of their existing designs?<\/p>\n

Design effort should not be underestimated and represents a fundamental step in the production of any quality product.<\/p>\n

5. Volumes. <\/strong>Is the item being designed and built as a one-off?<\/p>\n

The per unit cost of production will typically reduce when making multiples of the same design at the same time. On a per item basis, there will be less time spent sourcing raw materials, taking measurements and setting up tooling.<\/p>\n

An entirely one-off item, therefore, should be expected to cost more than those produced at volume.<\/p>\n

6. Labour and Rent Costs. <\/strong>Where is the item being produced?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s often easy to overlook the inappropriately low wages and unsafe working conditions of workers in overseas factories.<\/p>\n

Factoring in a fair rate of pay for local craftspeople and recognising the higher cost of rent in local workshops will form a part of an investment in locally made custom goods.<\/p>\n

Getting something custom made by an expert craftsperson is not an exercise in buying something at the lowest possible price. If you\u2019ve found something available at a retailer that is mass-produced overseas, it\u2019s very unlikely that you will find a local maker able to produce it for you at a lower cost.<\/p>\n

The true value of getting something custom made will often exceed<\/em> the price paid. You\u2019re getting exactly what you want directly from an expert local craftsperson, and receiving a high-quality sustainably made product that is built-to-last, while also helping to preserve and support time-honoured skills.\u00a0It\u2019s an investment in something that matters.<\/p>\n

A guideline you can use to estimate potential costs is to explore<\/a> similar items listed in the portfolios of our makers.<\/p>\n

The best way to gauge the cost involved for your project\u00a0is by communicating directly with our expert craftspeople. Post a brief<\/a> and we\u2019ll connect you with the most suited makers with whom you can discuss options and pricing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thinking of commissioning a beautiful and entirely unique piece of custom made furniture but unsure what elements will determine…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":536,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-insights"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t