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Should You Go Custom? Home Professionals Weigh In
Pros share 10 things to consider before deciding between tailor-made and ready-made features and furnishings
When you’re working with a home professional to remodel or redecorate your home, you can choose cabinetry and furnishings that are ready-made, or you can get items that are tailor-made for your space and style. You also can go with a combination of both, or with semicustom pieces. Whichever route you choose, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making important decisions that will affect your project. Home designers and contractors on Houzz offer 10 things to consider before going 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.
“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.
Using custom design elements such as a sofa or built-in cabinets is a great way to flex your creative muscles, showcase your style and add personal touches to your home.
2. 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. This can be due to the dimensions of the room, the way the space will be used or a limited selection of ready-made products. Sometimes custom pieces are desired to achieve a more cohesive look.
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,” says Shoshanna Shapiro, owner and principal designer.
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,” says Shoshanna Shapiro, owner and principal designer.
3. You can support local artisans and makers. Going with one-of-a-kind pieces can give you the opportunity to support local businesses, makers and artisans. It might even help you incorporate sustainable elements or ethically made furniture into your home if, for example, a custom piece is made from locally sourced or recycled materials.
The Cons of Going Custom
4. Made-to-order elements can be more expensive than off-the-shelf items. Homeowners can underestimate what it costs to build and ship made-to-measure items. Certain materials alone can raise the cost of the project. “Custom work is sometimes the less cost-effective route,” says Rafael Davila, managing partner of Nova Design Builders.
Ask your home professional to explain pricing on custom versus ready-made in the early stages of your project. You may decide that the benefits of getting exactly what you want and need can outweigh the downside of higher costs. “It may be a little bit more of an investment, which 100% of the time I think is worth it,” House of One’s Farinas says.
4. Made-to-order elements can be more expensive than off-the-shelf items. Homeowners can underestimate what it costs to build and ship made-to-measure items. Certain materials alone can raise the cost of the project. “Custom work is sometimes the less cost-effective route,” says Rafael Davila, managing partner of Nova Design Builders.
Ask your home professional to explain pricing on custom versus ready-made in the early stages of your project. You may decide that the benefits of getting exactly what you want and need can outweigh the downside of higher costs. “It may be a little bit more of an investment, which 100% of the time I think is worth it,” House of One’s Farinas says.
When architect John Barie sees his clients struggling to decide on the direction to go, he finds alternative stock and custom options to help them see what’s possible and make a confident decision.
5. 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 at InDesign Kitchen and Bath Remodeling. “If a client really can’t wait, we can guide them to in-stock and semicustom 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.”
7 Essential Features of a Well-Designed Kitchen
“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 at InDesign Kitchen and Bath Remodeling. “If a client really can’t wait, we can guide them to in-stock and semicustom 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.”
7 Essential Features of a Well-Designed Kitchen
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.
6. 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.”
“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.”
Designer Simon says: “When approaching a new project, whether it’s a new client or a returning client, we always try to be as transparent as possible. 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.”
How to Plan a Remodel When Prices Are Rising
How to Plan a Remodel When Prices Are Rising
7. Bespoke isn’t always the best fit for your needs. “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
8. Modify or customize in-stock items. Many home professionals can modify or reconfigure stock items such as furniture and lighting. Choosing this middle path can give your space a tailored feel.
“If there is an in-stock option on something like a stool, a chair or an 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.”
8. Modify or customize in-stock items. Many home professionals can modify or reconfigure stock items such as furniture and lighting. Choosing this middle path can give your space a tailored feel.
“If there is an in-stock option on something like a stool, a chair or an 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.”
9. Mix and match. You can also mix bespoke pieces with manufactured products in a room to give your space a layered look.
10. Buy vintage or secondhand. If you want a one-off piece but don’t want to wait for custom work to be completed, consider vintage or secondhand furnishings to give your home a personalized feel without long lead times or labor costs.
“We like to mix old with new, so vintage or refurbished items are definitely the way to go,” Shapiro says. “We have several local businesses that sell great finds and will even custom-finish them when needed.”
“We like to mix old with new, so vintage or refurbished items are definitely the way to go,” Shapiro says. “We have several local businesses that sell great finds and will even custom-finish them when needed.”
Ultimately, It’s Up to You
The best option is the one that works for you and your home. Custom isn’t always king. And stock products don’t always have the shortest lead times. Before you decide which direction to take, talk to your home professional and consider the positives and negatives of each for your project.
More on Houzz
Read more decorating guides
Find a design or remodeling professional near you
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The best option is the one that works for you and your home. Custom isn’t always king. And stock products don’t always have the shortest lead times. Before you decide which direction to take, talk to your home professional and consider the positives and negatives of each for your project.
More on Houzz
Read more decorating guides
Find a design or remodeling professional near you
Shop for home products
1. Custom-made items can elevate and personalize your space. With the freedom to design and build custom items, home professionals can truly tailor spaces to your specific needs and preferences. “Custom pieces add a layer of empowerment to a space,” says Angel Riveros, designer at AIR Studio. “It makes it feels personal, special and unique.”