10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Custom Furniture Maker

Commissioning custom furniture is a significant investment — of money, time, and trust. And like any significant investment, the due diligence you do upfront determines the quality of the outcome. Whether you’re considering MDM Design Studio or any other custom shop, these are the questions we believe every client should ask before signing on.

1. Can I see examples of similar work you’ve done?

A portfolio is the clearest window into a shop’s capabilities and aesthetic sensibilities. Don’t just look at the beautiful finished photos — ask to see pieces that are similar in scope, style, and material to what you’re considering. A studio that specializes in modern walnut furniture may or may not be the right choice for a detailed traditional painted built-in, and vice versa.

2. Who will actually be building my piece?

This matters more than people realize. Some shops sell custom work but subcontract the actual production. Others have a dedicated team with consistent standards. Knowing who is building your piece, and what their experience level is, helps you calibrate your expectations and understand what you’re paying for.

3. What does your design process look like?

Will you receive drawings or 3D renderings before anything is built? How many revision rounds are included? Who has final approval? A clearly defined design process protects both parties and ensures you’re not surprised by what shows up on installation day.

4. How do you handle changes once production has started?

Design changes mid-build can be costly, but they sometimes happen. Understanding a shop’s change order policy upfront — what’s possible, what the additional costs might be, and how changes are documented — prevents confusion and conflict later.

5. What are your material sources?

Quality starts with material. Ask where the wood is sourced, whether they use solid wood, plywood, or MDF in different applications (and why), and what hardware brands they work with. A shop that can answer these questions fluently is a shop that cares about the details.

6. What is your finishing process?

Finishing is often where cheaper shops cut corners. Ask specifically what products they use, how many coats are applied, what the cure time is, and how they prep the surface between coats. The finish is what your hands will touch every day — it deserves a thorough answer.

7. What does your timeline look like, and what could affect it?

Get a realistic timeline up front, including what portion of that timeline is design, material sourcing, production, and installation. Ask what factors might cause delays and how the shop communicates when timelines shift. A shop that gives you a very tight timeline with no caveats may be telling you what you want to hear.

8. What is your warranty or guarantee policy?

Reputable custom shops stand behind their work. Ask specifically: what’s covered, for how long, and what the process is if something isn’t right after delivery. This is also a signal of how confident the shop is in their own quality.

9. Can I visit the studio?

A shop that welcomes clients into the space is a shop that has nothing to hide. Visiting the studio before a project begins tells you a great deal about how organized, professional, and serious a shop is about their craft.

10. How do you handle communication during a project?

Who will be your point of contact? How often will you receive updates? What’s the best way to reach them with questions? Clear communication expectations prevent the anxiety of wondering what’s happening with your investment for weeks at a time.

At MDM Design Studio, we welcome every one of these questions and encourage our clients to ask them. We believe informed clients make better partners, and better partnerships produce better furniture. Get in touch and ask us anything.