How will a furniture designer charge?

Prices can vary greatly depending on the piece of furniture you have in mind, and the style you would like. You should expect to pay more than you would for a piece you buy from a public shop – yours will be unique and made to your exact specifications. It is the individual service as well as the bespoke piece of furniture that you are paying for. If you are not dealing with the designer face-to-face, you may also be charged a shipping or delivery fee. Make sure you ask what this will be before committing.

For a general idea, Surrey-based designers, Dimension Furniture, give a rough price guide for wooden pieces:

A dining table may cost between £1200 and £2500, a chair from £400 to £600 and a bedside cabinet from £500 to £800. This should give you a ball-park figure, but obviously a bespoke service means that prices will depend upon your exact requirements. It is also vital to shop around before committing. Word of mouth recommendations are a good place to start.

Should the designer have qualifications I should look for?

Arts-and-Crafts designer Ernest Gimson

There are a host of courses and qualifications in furniture design, interior design, cabinet making, metal work, and much more. Although it is important to check the credentials of your chosen designer, focusing on qualifications is not always the best way to do so. Reputable professionals will have a portfolio of their previous work. They may also have references from past clients. The Internet is a good place to begin your research. If a designer is proud of past work, or has a host of glowing references, it makes sense for these to be displayed on their website. It is definitely worth spending time shopping around – after all, you are likely to be spending a lot of money and thus want your furniture to be perfect.

Don't forget to ask...

• What material is the designer used to working with? Most have a preference and you should hire someone who is an expert in what you want. For instance, if you want a glass cabinet made, it is better to hire someone who knows what they are doing with glass, rather than a wood worker who occasionally works with other materials.
• Will the piece of furniture be covered by a guarantee? Do I have to pay extra for this?
• Are there any additional shipping, service or installation costs on top of the price of the furniture?
• How long is the design and creation of my furniture likely to take?