“How much would a table like this cost?” is a place to start. A short, specific brief gives a workshop something it can actually price. You do not need a technical drawing. You need to explain what the piece must do, where it will go, and which decisions are still open.
Start with the room, not just an inspiration photo.
Send a wide photo of the space and a closer view of where the piece will sit. Include a simple sketch with dimensions and label the units. For a dining table, describe how many people need to sit there regularly and whether nearby doors or walkways limit its size.
Treat your measurements as a starting brief. For fitted cabinetry, ask who will take and approve the final site measurements before fabrication begins. A photograph alone cannot establish reliable dimensions.
- Your city and ZIP code
- The intended width, depth, and height, with units
- Room photos and a sketch of the available space
- Any fixed obstacles: outlets, vents, baseboards, or doors
Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves.
An inspiration image may combine a shape you like with a material you do not need. Explain which part matters: a rounded edge, concealed storage, a particular color, or a finish that matches another piece. Ask the maker to identify the proposed materials in writing instead of assuming that a wood-looking surface is solid wood.
Share a budget range and say what it needs to cover. A budget for the furniture alone is different from a budget that includes delivery, installation, and tax. If the date is important, distinguish the day you would like it from a deadline you genuinely cannot move.
Compare the scope before comparing the total.
Ask each workshop to quote the same version of your brief. A lower price may cover a different finish, fewer revisions, or pickup instead of delivery. Request a breakdown that makes these differences visible.
- Materials, finish, dimensions, and included hardware
- Design drawings, samples, and the number of revisions
- Delivery, assembly, installation, and site preparation
- Estimated lead time and what starts that clock
- Deposit, payment milestones, changes, and cancellation terms
- How damage, defects, and warranty requests are handled
Make the final approval explicit.
Keep the approved drawing, finish choice, scope, and price together in writing. If you change a dimension or material, ask whether it changes the price or delivery date before approving the change.
On Furnmarket, you can explore a workshop’s collection and send a direct inquiry. Makers handle quotations, production, payment, and delivery with you. A listing or first reply is an introduction; it is not a confirmed production slot.
