Hiring a custom furniture maker can feel like a major decision—because it is! Not only will you be spending a relatively substantial amount of money with this person, you will also be relying on him or her to create a piece of furniture that is unique to you.
If you’ve never worked with a custom furniture maker before, here are a few things to consider before hiring one:
Does Location Matter When it Comes to Custom Furniture Makers?
The best custom furniture makers might not live anywhere near you—and that’s okay! Most serious custom furniture makers will be willing to deliver or ship a piece pretty much anywhere in the country. That may come at a steep cost, but if you are willing to spend the extra money, you can work with a furniture maker who live hundreds, or even thousands, of miles away.
Don’t Be Afraid to “Interview” a Custom Furniture Maker
Because you have access to an almost unlimited number of custom furniture makers around the country, don’t be afraid to interview a few of them to find the one who will work best for you. You want to work with a craftsman who will listen to your ideas, but also be willing to offer a few of their own. Many custom furniture makers will say, “We can make whatever you want.” While this sounds great at first, you want to work with someone who can make suggestions based on their expertise.
As you have that first conversation with a custom furniture maker you are considering working with—whether it’s on the phone or in person—pay attention to how they respond to your ideas or questions. Do they really listen and work to understand what you want, or do they talk over you and brush off your ideas? Do your ideas spark additional thoughts or ideas from them? You will likely be going back and forth with this person quite a few times during the design phase of the process, and you want to feel comfortable communicating with them.
Ask for Referrals
It can also be a good idea to ask custom furniture makers for referrals from their past customers. When you contact their referrals, make sure you ask them how smooth the process was, and not just how their piece turned out. If their piece was completed some time ago, ask them how it is holding up, and how its quality compares to other furniture pieces they own. Don’t be afraid to ask pointed questions related to your first impressions of the custom furniture maker, such as: “Did you find him or her responsive to your questions or concerns?” or “Was the final price of your piece what you expected?” or “Was he or she able to deliver the piece in a timely manner?”
Finally, ask them if they would consider working with that particular custom furniture maker again. If they have any hesitation, ask for specifics. Keep in mind that the furniture maker likely gave you the names of their most satisfied customers, so if they don’t give you an absolutely glowing review of the final product and the process, you might want to consider working with someone else.
