One of the most unique things about the Amish furniture market is how easily builders let you make a custom order. Whether you have a few tweaks in mind, or a completely custom piece built to fit your home like a puzzle piece, the Amish take the job seriously. Custom furniture comes with a price tag that matches the long lasting quality you’ll receive, though. In fact, there’s a lot of things to consider before you just jump into an order to ensure it’s the best option. That’s why we put together this list of questions to ask before buying custom furniture—so you can ask yourself, the dealer, and the builder the right things before you commit.
The Best 10 Questions: A Breakdown
1. What material options do I have?
Ask about wood species, upholstery grade, hardware, joinery, and finishes. This affects durability, appearance, and price. You can always ask for recommendations based on your desired price range.
Amish furniture is always going to be made with higher quality materials and methods like American hardwoods, joinery, metal and wood hardware, optional glass panels, high performance fabrics, and so on. The Amish like to avoid using plywood, veneers, and softer woods in their builds.
2. Can I see samples before asking for a quote?
Most stores will have physical samples to help you avoid color surprises, grain differences, or fabric texture issues. It’s important that you see physical samples as digital samples tend to be very inaccurate based on screen tint and brightness. If your supplier does not have physical samples, we do not recommend making a custom order with them, as you may be disappointed with the unexpected results.
At Oak Creek Amish furniture, we have a rather large selection of stains, paints, fabrics, leathers, and solid American hardwoods to choose from. Many of our Amish builders share a finish shop or have one in their own building. We do our best to make sure your custom order is concise and sent all together so they can properly color match your pieces.
3. Can I request exact dimensions?
There are varying levels of customization, but a true custom piece should fit your space, doorway access, and functional needs. If you’re going to pay for the ability to customize your furniture, getting exact dimensions is one of the most helpful options.
Our custom quote form at Oak Creek Amish Furniture includes a space for you to list the custom dimensions you’ll need for each piece you order. Along with it, you can also list your desired style, stain/paint, wood type, hardware and so on. You can even attach a digital version of a sketch if you decide to fill out our form online.
4. How long will it take from design to delivery?
This question is important for so many reasons.
- You want to ensure you’re home when your furniture arrives
- If this item is a gift, you need to be sure it can arrive on time
- There is no general range of how long a custom order can take. Smaller projects may only take 4 weeks, while large orders can take up to 4 months!
- Holidays can affect a builder’s availability
Custom orders take awhile because these pieces are outside the normal production routine and may include techniques or materials that are less familiar to the builders. Not only that, Amish woodshops are typically run by families and friends. They don’t have the man power or technology of a large factory. The average shop has only a handful of employees, but they work diligently together and are very hands on with the craft to ensure it’s done properly.
Get a realistic timeline upfront. The Amish builders that work with Oak Creek have been in the industry for years and have done well giving accurate and efficient timeframes for custom orders. They’ll do their best to be honest about their availability and work your order into a time frame that works for you.
5. What is the warranty for custom orders?
A true craftsman will stand behind their work. Be sure to speak with a store representative or with the builder to clarify what’s covered. Some examples of typical warranty coverage includes wood defects, joints, finish issues, etc.
If you’re interested in what’s covered by warranty at Oak Creek Amish Furniture please contact us. We want to ensure you are satisfied with your product. We believe in our builders and the quality they continue to bring our customers every day.
6. What happens if I need adjustments or repairs later?
Most custom orders cannot be returned or adjusted as they are unique pieces and may not handle re-sanding or disassembly well. However, some stores may take your furniture back but only give you a partial refund if any refund at all. If a builder does agree to make adjustments, they may ask for a fee to cover the material costs. Each builder is different and so asking about these situations gives you a better idea of what to expect. The good news is you are more likely to be able to get free repairs if damage was done during production or delivery.
Some builders offer refinishing, touch-ups, or modifications; others don’t. We are very selective of who we work with at Oak Creek Amish. Our builders have lasting reputations and stand by their products to make sure you are satisfied in the end. The best way to avoid repairs and adjustments is clear communication before and during production. In the beginning of your custom order be sure you are certain you know what you want so we can clearly convey your vision to our craftsmen.
7. Is the design structurally sound for long-term use?
While we can’t speak for other builders across the nation, we can tell you that Amish furniture is one of the more reliable options on the market. We’re glad people are asking this question and we’d be happy to delve deeper into why it’s so durable. In fact, we expect it to last you a lifetime.
Amish craftsmanship is old school. While some modern conveniences are used to make labor easier and faster, they never rely on methods or technology that could compromise the quality of the final product. The Amish build custom furniture by hand using some of the best American hardwoods. Notable examples include oak, brown maple, walnut, hickory, and quarter-sawn white oak. They cut, shape, sand it, and piece it together with calculated precision using joinery techniques that don’t require cheap fasteners.
If you submit a custom quote and our builders have any concerns about the structural integrity of the build, they will be sure to communicate it. Together, we will work with you to create something that still fits your vision and their standards of quality. You deserve nothing less.
8. How does payment work?
Most craftsmen and furniture stores require a deposit. Ask about payment schedule, final balance, and refund policies if changes are needed.
We offer free quotes at Oak Creek Amish Furniture. We want to ensure the builder is familiar with desired design and can offer an accurate cost range before you pay anything. That way if you are not satisfied with the quote or would like to make adjustments you don’t lose money along the way.
9. Can I see sketches, renderings, or a mockup before construction?
What you see in your head might not translate as cleanly on paper. That’s why visuals reduce miscommunication and ensure the design matches your expectations. If a builder or store is not giving you a clear idea of what you can expect your order to look like, you might want to reconsider finalizing a purchase.
If you order custom furniture from Oak Creek, we want to ensure it’s done right the first time. We’ll make sure that our sales team and builders are communicating with you every step of the way. You’ll be able to approve the design before we give the builder the order to build.
10. How will delivery, installation, or setup be handled?
It’s important to know about fees, logistics, and whether they bring the furniture inside or install it on-site. Most custom orders will be assembled upon delivery, but it’s always good to check on this detail as well.
If you order custom furniture from Oak Creek Amish Furniture here’s what you can expect:
- Clear estimated lead times after your quote is approved
- Your choice of store pickup or home delivery when finalizing your order
- Updates on production time
- A notice when your order is ready for delivery
- Assembled furniture will be blanket wrapped for delivery
- Updates as your delivery progresses
Custom Furniture: Should This Be Your Next Purchase?
With the right builder or store behind you, custom furniture can be the perfect solution to your furniture needs. Only you know when making a custom order fits your schedule, budget, and home. Sometimes a project that is a long time in the making is worth the wait.
With flexible options, transparent planning, efficient production, and careful delivery you can’t go wrong. So take as much time and care choosing the right store or builder as you did coming up with your dream furniture. You want to be sure your purchase is being handled by someone who is as passionate about your project as you are.