People requesting quotes for custom furniture are often surprised: two wardrobes or kitchens that look the same size can come back with very different figures. Behind that difference are not hidden charges but specific choices. The cost of made-to-order furniture takes shape not as one number but as the sum of several decisions. Knowing them helps you compare quotes properly and decide where to save and where not to.
Carcass material
The carcass is the largest part of the furniture by volume: side panels, shelves, bottom and back. Its material directly affects the total. Laminated chipboard is the most common carcass choice; moisture-resistant board, plywood or solid wood are more expensive alternatives. Board thickness, manufacturer and decor also play a part: rare decors and synchronised-texture surfaces are priced differently from ordinary plain colours.
Hidden details such as the back panel material and how it is fixed also count. A thin panel pinned to the back and a thicker panel set into a groove differ in both cost and strength.
Fronts
Fronts are what everyone sees, and they are often where the cost varies most. Laminated board doors are the most basic. Foil-wrapped MDF, laminate-faced panels, acrylic, painted lacquer, veneer and solid timber each step up in complexity and cost. Routed designs, high gloss, curves and finishing the back of a door to match the face all add labour.
The number of fronts matters as well. Dividing a wall of the same width into several narrow fronts means more hinges, more edge work and more adjustment, and so a higher cost.
Hardware
Hinges, runners, lift mechanisms, handles and internal accessories account for a noticeable part of the cost, and this part often escapes the client's attention. Soft-close, concealed full-extension runners, metal box systems, swing-out corner mechanisms and lift systems sit at a very different price level from basic hardware.
Saving on hardware is the saving people regret most, because hinges and runners work many times a day. Choosing expensive fronts with cheap runners can leave you, years later, with beautiful drawers that stick.
Size, number of units and construction
Overall size naturally determines material use, but the number of units matters just as much. Several small units instead of one large one mean more cuts, edging, fixings and assembly time. Drawers usually take more work than open shelves, and open shelves more than simple door sections.
Non-standard solutions are among the main cost drivers: a stepped wardrobe under a sloping ceiling, carcasses adapted to a crooked wall, radiused corners, construction that fits a niche exactly, a continuous worktop along a whole wall. These require individual calculation and extra machining.
Lighting and extras
Internal LED lighting, light strips in shelves, lights that switch on when a door opens, built-in sockets and cable channels add comfort but also add materials and labour. Glass display cabinets, mirrored doors, decorative wall panels and metal details are costed separately too.
Delivery, installation and site conditions
The final stage affects the cost as well. Location, floor level, whether there is a lift, whether large units fit up the stairs, installation difficulty and removal of old furniture are all considered. Fixing a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe to the wall, levelling a kitchen on an uneven floor and fitting appliances take longer than simple assembly.
When comparing quotes, ask:
- What materials and which board manufacturer are used for carcass and fronts?
- Which brand are the hinges and runners, and is soft-close included?
- Are internal accessories and lighting included in the quote?
- Are delivery, carrying and installation charged separately or included?
- Which parts does the guarantee cover?
Zaferoglu Mebel works with products from brands such as Egger, Kronopol, Blum and RaumPlus. The cost of a specific project is determined after measuring and choosing materials, and budget-friendly alternatives can be discussed at that stage.
