Should You Go the Custom Route in Your Projects?
Home professionals share 10 things to consider before sourcing bespoke furniture or crafting one-off design features
Sourcing custom furnishings or building tailor-made design elements for customers isn’t always a straightforward process. Incorporating bespoke pieces into a project can help you deliver a stellar home renovation or one-off spaces that meet your client’s needs and preferences. As a tradeoff, however, you might have to contend with longer lead times, limited access to labor services or increased costs. Sometimes, choosing items that are in stock might be the easier choice but might not the best solution for the space.
Whichever route you and your clients choose, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before moving forward with the project. Designers and contractors on Houzz share 10 things to consider when you or your clients want to go the custom route.
Whichever route you and your clients choose, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before moving forward with the project. Designers and contractors on Houzz share 10 things to consider when you or your clients want to go the custom route.
Brittany Farinas, CEO and creative director at House of One, uses tailor-made pieces to give living spaces and bedrooms a dynamic feel. “I always try to push a client to do a custom headboard because it makes a space feel higher end and hotel-like, which looks and feels great. For living spaces, I always try to opt for a custom media unit rather than a console,” Farinas says.
“Going the custom route is oftentimes so much more beneficial for the space because the level of integration and optionality of materials is a lot higher,” she says.
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“Going the custom route is oftentimes so much more beneficial for the space because the level of integration and optionality of materials is a lot higher,” she says.
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2. You can impress homeowners with your talent and creativity. Building tailor-made design elements or products can give you an opportunity to showcase your professional skills and abilities to clients. It’s a great way for you to flex your creative muscles and add your personal touches to a project.
“[Another] pro is really that we can design the piece according to our vision, the size needed, functionality and finish,” says Shoshanna Shapiro, owner of and principal designer at Sho and Co.
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“[Another] pro is really that we can design the piece according to our vision, the size needed, functionality and finish,” says Shoshanna Shapiro, owner of and principal designer at Sho and Co.
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3. Made-to-measure sometimes is the best solution. “Depending on the project and the client’s needs, sometimes it just calls for custom pieces,” says Taylor Simon, designer at Thomas Guy Interiors.
The team at Sho and Co. enjoys designing custom elements for homeowners when the situation calls for it. “If we have a special area that requires a size that is not available, or if we want to design a piece special for that space, we will go with a custom maker for that item,” Shapiro says.
The team at Sho and Co. enjoys designing custom elements for homeowners when the situation calls for it. “If we have a special area that requires a size that is not available, or if we want to design a piece special for that space, we will go with a custom maker for that item,” Shapiro says.
4. You can support local artisans and makers. Going with tailor-made features can give you an opportunity to support local businesses, makers and artisans. It might even help you incorporate sustainable elements or ethically made furniture into projects, for example, if a custom piece is comprised of locally sourced or recycled materials.
The Cons of Going Custom
5. Made-to-order elements can raise project costs. When a custom-built product or design feature is the most favorable option, it can be helpful to educate clients on the potential risks of going the bespoke route. “Custom work is sometimes the less cost-effective route,” says Rafael Davila, managing partner of Nova Design Builders.
Selecting certain materials can considerably increase project costs. “It may be a little bit more of an investment, which 100% of the time I think is worth it,” Farinas says.
You can explain the pros and cons to homeowners in the beginning to give them a better understanding of price fluctuations associated with custom work.
5. Made-to-order elements can raise project costs. When a custom-built product or design feature is the most favorable option, it can be helpful to educate clients on the potential risks of going the bespoke route. “Custom work is sometimes the less cost-effective route,” says Rafael Davila, managing partner of Nova Design Builders.
Selecting certain materials can considerably increase project costs. “It may be a little bit more of an investment, which 100% of the time I think is worth it,” Farinas says.
You can explain the pros and cons to homeowners in the beginning to give them a better understanding of price fluctuations associated with custom work.
Homeowners can underestimate what it costs to get made-to-measure items. With more information, they might make a different decision. When homeowners become unsure of themselves, architect John Barie likes to find alternative — custom and stock — selections to help them see what’s possible. He’ll present clients with one or two options. “Otherwise things get confusing and inhibit the decision-making process,” he says.
Pros Share How They Help Clients Select the Right Materials
Pros Share How They Help Clients Select the Right Materials
6. Custom work can have longer lead times. Made-to-measure options can have longer delivery times than ready-made products. In some cases, having longer lead times can mean an increase in price.
“Our clients that desire a fully custom kitchen tend to understand that lead times can be pretty long,” says Kate McNamara, designer and showroom manager of InDesign Kitchen and Bath Remodeling. “If a client really can’t wait, we can guide them to in-stock and semi-custom cabinetry that can still create a beautiful updated look. We provide them with unique hardware, backsplash, and countertop options that can elevate even the most basic white shaker doors and give them the refreshed style they are after.”
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“Our clients that desire a fully custom kitchen tend to understand that lead times can be pretty long,” says Kate McNamara, designer and showroom manager of InDesign Kitchen and Bath Remodeling. “If a client really can’t wait, we can guide them to in-stock and semi-custom cabinetry that can still create a beautiful updated look. We provide them with unique hardware, backsplash, and countertop options that can elevate even the most basic white shaker doors and give them the refreshed style they are after.”
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Some designers say that lead times for stock items right now can be just as long as they are for custom options. “Our standard custom lead times are eight to 10 weeks, which is better than most options available right now,” Farinas says.
“Custom orders are taking just as long, or makers are simply too booked up or hard to find,” Shapiro says. “Most clients are provided with the option to wait on long lead time orders, or we can reselect, but often they want to wait.”
“Custom orders are taking just as long, or makers are simply too booked up or hard to find,” Shapiro says. “Most clients are provided with the option to wait on long lead time orders, or we can reselect, but often they want to wait.”
7. Limited labor availability can create further delays. The current environment can make it challenging for pros to secure labor services for custom work. “There is definitely a labor shortage,” Farinas says. “We’re not only experiencing this with our millwork shops but with our delivery companies as well.”
“This is definitely one of our biggest issues right now,” Shapiro says. “Our receiving company does not have enough workers and is struggling, so even when the item ships it is taking three times longer to get our products. Our subcontractors are struggling to find help and we have to wait longer for installations.”
The Houzz Pro Timeline tool can assist with this by letting you map out project schedules, communicate plans with team members and visually track your progress.
“This is definitely one of our biggest issues right now,” Shapiro says. “Our receiving company does not have enough workers and is struggling, so even when the item ships it is taking three times longer to get our products. Our subcontractors are struggling to find help and we have to wait longer for installations.”
The Houzz Pro Timeline tool can assist with this by letting you map out project schedules, communicate plans with team members and visually track your progress.
Try to prepare customers during the early stages of the project to help them handle delays when they arise.
“When approaching a new project, whether it’s a new client or a returning client, we always try to be as transparent as possible,” Simon says. “We tell them during the initial consultation that we are living in unprecedented times. We like to set up expectations so there are no surprises along the way.”
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“When approaching a new project, whether it’s a new client or a returning client, we always try to be as transparent as possible,” Simon says. “We tell them during the initial consultation that we are living in unprecedented times. We like to set up expectations so there are no surprises along the way.”
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8. Bespoke doesn’t always mean it’s the best fit. “We usually want [furnishings] to fit the design organically, and sometimes custom isn’t the right fit,” says Natasha Bishop, owner of and principal designer at Bishop Design. “We really try to make sure the benefit of the piece outweighs the need to have it right now.”
Says Farinas: “If it’s not custom, we try to source a piece that fits the space very nicely with the dimensions and the materiality” the client wants.
Says Farinas: “If it’s not custom, we try to source a piece that fits the space very nicely with the dimensions and the materiality” the client wants.
Alternatives to Consider
9. Modify or customize in-stock items. Sourcing fully custom products isn’t always an option for a project. Presenting clients with customizable products from manufacturers can help them achieve the tailored look they want.
“When selecting custom, we try to find [furniture] frames that are in stock,” says Taylor Simon, designer at Thomas Guy Interiors. “That way, once fabrics and finishes are selected we are next in line for production.”
9. Modify or customize in-stock items. Sourcing fully custom products isn’t always an option for a project. Presenting clients with customizable products from manufacturers can help them achieve the tailored look they want.
“When selecting custom, we try to find [furniture] frames that are in stock,” says Taylor Simon, designer at Thomas Guy Interiors. “That way, once fabrics and finishes are selected we are next in line for production.”
Some pros like to modify or reconfigure stock furnishings that have been purchased for the project.
“If there is a prefab in-stock option on something like a stool, chair or ottoman, we will find a really beautiful fabric and have our upholsterer reupholster the item,” Simon says. “That way it still feels and looks custom, but [with] a much faster turnaround.”
You can also encourage customers to mix bespoke pieces with items that are in stock.
“If there is a prefab in-stock option on something like a stool, chair or ottoman, we will find a really beautiful fabric and have our upholsterer reupholster the item,” Simon says. “That way it still feels and looks custom, but [with] a much faster turnaround.”
You can also encourage customers to mix bespoke pieces with items that are in stock.
10. Go vintage or secondhand. When a client wants a one-off piece but can’t wait for custom work to be completed, vintage or secondhand furnishings can give their home a personalized feel without having to deal with the potential lead times or costs of going the custom route.
“Another option is to go the vintage route,” Shapiro says. “We like to mix old with new, so vintage or refurbished items are definitely the way to go. We have several local businesses that sell great finds and will even custom-finish them when needed.”
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“Another option is to go the vintage route,” Shapiro says. “We like to mix old with new, so vintage or refurbished items are definitely the way to go. We have several local businesses that sell great finds and will even custom-finish them when needed.”
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Sometimes Either Will Do
Custom isn’t always king. And stock products don’t always have the shortest lead times. Sometimes, either option can work for a project. Before you let homeowners decide which direction they want to go in, consider giving them the positives and negatives of both sides.
“It definitely depends on the product [whether to go custom or stock]. If it is exactly what [the client] wants and [it’s] the best option, we do encourage waiting for the best option,” says Antoinette Fargo, creative director and co-founder of Doora Collective. “If not custom, we will search for the best alternative available or contact other vendors to see if we can expedite with them.”
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Custom isn’t always king. And stock products don’t always have the shortest lead times. Sometimes, either option can work for a project. Before you let homeowners decide which direction they want to go in, consider giving them the positives and negatives of both sides.
“It definitely depends on the product [whether to go custom or stock]. If it is exactly what [the client] wants and [it’s] the best option, we do encourage waiting for the best option,” says Antoinette Fargo, creative director and co-founder of Doora Collective. “If not custom, we will search for the best alternative available or contact other vendors to see if we can expedite with them.”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
1. Custom items can elevate a space. Going custom can help you give clients one-off furnishings and design elements that meet their specific needs. “If you have the opportunity and the right client, you should consider [sourcing] fully custom or customizable items,” says Angel Riveros, designer at AIR Studio. “Custom pieces add a layer of empowerment to a space. It makes it feels personal, special and unique.”