If you are getting quotes for wardrobes how do you know who to use and if they are the experts?
Here are some things to consider when you are looking for fitted wardrobes. You could look at the top of google search at a national chain for a fitted wardrobe company, and they will send a sales rep around for a ‘no obligation’ lengthy sales pitch, they have a shiny website and maybe a showroom, so are they the experts?
You could get a local carpenter or joiner round who says they can build it for you in their van or in a gazebo in your garden, they seem nice so are they the experts?
There is a whole range in between.
We understand that it often comes down to budget when choosing who is going to make your wardrobes and we know it can be tricky to choose with so many options so we have put together a list of things to think about when finding the right person for you and your project.
Here are some questions to ask whoever you invite to quote for your work.
- Will they provide scale drawings of the design to you can visualise what you will be getting?
- Will they make a face frame so you can see the walls of your bedroom when you open the doors, with the rail and any shelves fixed directly onto the walls or will they make a complete carcass with doors and scribing this up to your walls for a seamless fit?
- Where is it going to be made and painted? Will it be mass produced miles away by people who haven’t seen your space, is it made in your driveway, or is it made in a local well equipped woodworking workshop where you can visit it during the make.
- Is the wardrobe mass produced so you are restricted on size choices or is it truly bespoke and can be any size for your space?
- What materials will they be using for the carcass and the doors, will any bare materials be finished and if so in what and how many coats of finish? If MDF will the edges be very finely sanded so they are ultra smooth or will they be left being fluffy and rough?
- Is the ironmongery (the hinges and drawer runners) the best quality and built to last?
- What colour choices do you have? If you use a mass produced company their doors are often shrink wrapped in a limited selection of colours. If it is to be painted what primer will be used and can you choose the paint yourselves? If left bare for you to paint, have you considered the time it takes to paint 2 undercoats and 2 – 3 top coats on the wardrobe when it is already fitted.
- How long will it take to fit and who is going to be fitting it? Is it fitted by the people who made it?
Please let us know if you have anything further to ask or if you want to discuss your own wardrobe projects with us, we hope you have found our list of things to consider when looking for fitted wardrobes helpful, you can contact us here or you can see further example of our bedroom furniture here and read some of our testimonials too.
Check out some of our wardrobes on Instagram too: http://www.instagram.com/jimsharplesfurniture