Commissioning
Ordering your own bespoke furniture begins with an informal meeting with John to discuss your needs, wants and budget. This initial meeting is a great opportunity for John to identify and develop your ideas with you, and you may find it useful to have your own rough sketches to hand, or a selection of magazine cuttings showing your likes and dislikes.
As part of this initial meeting, John will also look at the proposed space or setting for your item or range, show you samples of types of woods, and talk through possible styles. If you would like to base your design on an existing piece that John has created, or already have a set of design drawings to work from, you can also discuss this with him.
From there, John will develop a design idea as appropriate, and give you an initial estimate of the likely cost of your project. Depending on the size and complexity of your piece, and the number of design ideas you request, there may be a nominal design fee at this stage, which will be waived if you proceed with the commission.
When you’re happy with the design and a price is agreed, John will provide you with a schedule of work and a proposed completion date. It is usual at this point to pay a 50% deposit before work commences, with the balance due on delivery of your finished piece.
Delivery times vary according to the scale and intricacy of your project, and John will advise on this from the outset. Whilst work on your piece is in progress, you may like to arrange a visit to the workshop to see your furniture being made.
On delivery, John will place or fit your furniture as appropriate. In addition, you will receive a tailored owner’s pack providing information about your piece, the woods, techniques and finishes used in its creation, when and who it was commissioned for, and details of how best to care for and maintain it over the years.
For further information about ordering your own bespoke pieces, please review our selection of Frequently Asked Questions.