Why commission?
Far from being difficult in any way, commissioning furniture is an enjoyable and creative process. Some clients come to me after an often long and fruitless search, knowing exactly what they want but being unable to find it. Others have only a general idea regarding function, size, etc. Whatever the case, I will work closely with you to help you fully realise your plans. Please ring or email to arrange an informal discussion about your initial ideas, or just call at the workshop (please check before making a special trip). You won't be dealing with a high pressure sales team - just the craftsman who makes the pieces.
After gathering information about your ideas, tastes, practical requirements, budget and the site of the proposed piece, I usually prepare one or two sketches for your consideration, often refined into a third option following further discussion, together with accurate costs. If you are happy to proceed, timber can be selected and work started following payment of a deposit, usually 50% of the total.
It is inevitable that the individually made, bespoke item will be more expensive than the high street equivalent. However, dealing directly with a craftsman, you can be sure that all of your investment is going into the design, materials and workmanship of a piece rather than a retailer's overheads. Comparing like with like, prices are often closer than you may expect.
Given the bespoke nature of the work, I cannot provide price lists and this can be an understandably worrying aspect of commissioning furniture for the first time. However, I do recognize that price is always an important factor and a central part of the commissioning process is balancing your budget with what you wish to achieve.
As a very rough guide, a simple, small table in solid hardwood can be made from around £600.00; a simple dining table to seat six from around £1500.00; dining chairs from around £600.00 each; small, decorative boxes start at about £100.00.
"In our modern times, furniture is increasingly becoming more of a consumable product…long term durability is not the critical factor it once was. What many consumers are looking for today is a modern functional design which is affordable and will last 5-10 years" (quote from woodworking industry article).
There is no doubt that modern, 'flat-pack' solutions have made furniture more affordable and are robust enough for many applications. However, many people have begun to tire of the merry-go-round of wasteful consumerism and a growing number of new customers come to me in search of the much better long term value inherent in properly constructed pieces made of quality materials.
My work is guaranteed for a lifetime of proper care and use. If, exceptionally, any problems occur at any time due to a fault of construction or materials, I undertake to rectify them at no further cost. Should damage occur due to misuse, I can repair a piece at my normal charge for labour.
John Morris ~ Individually designed, hand crafted furniture