Homewood: 5 Red Flags When Buying Custom Furniture

Ever watched a custom furniture “bargain” fall apart after a year? We have (and it hurts). Spot these five warning signs before you make a deposit and you’ll save yourself money and a furniture flop. Be inspired with Homewood.

1. Red Flag No. 1: The Price Is Too Good to Be True.
   Real custom furniture isn’t cheap, and for good reason. True custom work takes hours of joinery, sanding, and finishing. If the quote is too low, something’s off, and its usually shortcuts in labour or materials. Ask where they’re saving: are they using MDF instead of hardwood? Rushing the finish? Underpaying staff? A rock-bottom price often masks corner-cutting that you’ll end up paying for later, either in repairs or a full replacement.
2. Red Flag No. 2: The Design Ignores Function.
   A patio table without drainage slats will sit in a puddle, warp and rot. A dining top with zero stretchers might look pretty but will wobble under a Sunday roast. Good makers ask nearly-too-many questions about where, how, and why you’ll use the piece. That’s why we sit down with every customer and work with them to find out what will suit their space, style, and unique requirements before we start designing. (See some of the things we take into consideration listed here.)
   
3. Red Flag No. 3: “Any Wood, Any Project? Sure!”
   A real craftsperson won’t build a kids’ bunk bed out of soft, insect-prone pine or an outdoor bench from moisture-sensitive Cottonwood. Species matter for function and for the environment. At Homewood, we match timber to the purpose and to the design, and every log we use is an alien-invasive species removed from South African ecosystems (see our beautiful wood options here). If a maker says “use whatever wood you like” without explaining durability, ethics or environmental impact, walk away.
4. Red Flag No. 4: Lightning-Fast Lead Time.
   Solid timber needs time to acclimatise, joinery needs time to cure, and finishes need time to harden. A two-week “custom” turnaround usually means machine-made shortcuts or skipping the stabilising stage entirely. Our production lead time (as in, the period when your piece is being physically crafted in the factory) is six to eight weeks because good woodwork can be fast or it can be lasting, but rarely both.
   
5. The Ultimate Red Flag: “Yes, Dear” Craftsmanship (They Say “Yes” to Everything).
   If a manufacturer agrees to every single request with no questions and no guidance, run. Professionals protect you from design decisions that will crack, sag, or mildew later. Sometimes “no” (or “let’s tweak that”) is the most caring answer of all. Your furniture (and bank account) will thank you.

Ready for makers who’ll push back when it matters? Visit a Homewood showroom or start a truly custom conversation online.

Be inspired more here.