When you buy ready-made furniture, you see the product with your own eyes. With made-to-order furniture, the product does not yet exist when you pay: it exists only as a drawing, measurements and an agreement. That makes the contract the only reliable record of what will be made, how and when. A well-drafted contract protects both sides: the customer gets what they expected, and the maker is protected from later requests being demanded free of charge.
Parties and subject of the order
A furniture contract starts by identifying both sides: the company's legal name and details, the customer's name and phone, and the address where the furniture will be fitted. Next comes the order itself. "Kitchen furniture" on its own is too vague; the document should say which room it is for and list the units included.
The core of the subject is the drawing or design attached to the contract. It shows overall dimensions, the number and layout of units, door opening directions, the number of drawers and shelf positions. Both parties should sign it, and the contract should state that the drawing forms an integral part of it.
The contract should also record who took the measurements and when. Responsibility differs between measurements supplied by the customer and those taken on site by the maker's fitter: in the first case an error falls on the customer, in the second on the maker. Sockets, water outlets, radiators and window sills that affect the furniture should be shown on the drawing, and the parties should agree in advance how any later relocation during renovation will affect dimensions.
Materials and hardware
Many disputes arise from differences in materials, so the contract or specification should list separately:
- Carcass material, its thickness, manufacturer and decor code.
- Front material, such as laminated board, foil-wrapped MDF, painted MDF or veneer, with colour and surface type.
- Type and thickness of edge banding.
- Brand and series of hinges, drawer runners and lift mechanisms.
- Handle model, or a handle-free opening system.
- Additional elements such as worktops, mirrors and glass.
If a sample was shown for colour or decor, its code or name should be recorded. A description like "light grey" means different colours to different people.
Timing and payment terms
The production period must be stated precisely, including when it starts: from signing, from the deposit, or from confirmation of final measurements. In a flat still under renovation, final measurements are often taken only once walls are finished, so the start point matters a great deal.
Payment is usually made in stages: a deposit, a production stage and a final instalment after handover. Each stage's condition and its share of the total should be written out clearly, along with each party's liability if deadlines are missed.
Changes, delivery and installation
A customer may change their mind after production begins, about front colour, the number of units or handle model. The contract should state up to which stage changes are free and how they are formalised afterwards. Each change is confirmed by a supplementary agreement and an updated drawing.
It should also specify who is responsible for delivery and installation, whether these are included, and what the customer must prepare, such as level walls and the position of power and water outlets. Who installs appliances and who cuts openings in the worktop for the sink and hob are agreed separately.
Handover certificate and warranty
After installation, a handover certificate is signed. Before signing, inspect the furniture carefully: scratches on surfaces, gaps in edge banding, door alignment, drawer movement. Visible defects are noted on the certificate together with a deadline for fixing them.
The warranty clause should state the period, what is covered and when it does not apply, for example improper use, flooding or third-party interference. How to make a warranty claim should also be clear.
Delivery and installation by Zaferoglu Mebel's own fitters are free, and a warranty of one to five years applies. Confirm in the contract exactly how those terms cover your order.
