Custom Furniture Quotes: What to Ask Before Signing

A Custom Furniture quote should be read closely before you sign. Ask the questions that separate a clear contract from a painful surprise, because the cheapest number on paper is often the dearest in the end.

The material questions

Never accept a vague board name. Drill into the specifics so you know what's going into your walls.

What board type and thickness? – plywood, MDF, or particle board, and is it 16mm or 18mm?

What's the surface? – laminate, veneer, or lacquer, and which brand range?

Edge banding method? – PVC edge or thin tape; the better one resists our humidity.

Back panels and internals? – are they the same quality as the doors, or cheaper filler?

For a 5-room HDB at roughly 110 sqm, the difference between a 16mm and 18mm carcass across the home is both cost and sturdiness. Know which you're paying for.

The hardware and finish questions

Fittings decide how the home feels after a year of use. Get them named.

Hinge type and brand? – soft-close, branded, or basic? This affects every door.

Drawer runners? – full-extension soft-close, or a cheaper partial slide?

Handles included? – some quotes show "handle-ready" and charge extra later.

Adjustable legs and scotia? – small items that close the gap to the floor neatly.

A clear hardware list turns "good quality" into something you can actually measure and compare across two firms.

Custom Furniture quotes and what's excluded

The danger isn't the stated price; it's what sits outside it. Ask point blank what the quote does not cover.

Delivery and installation – included, or a separate line you'll see later?

Old furniture removal – will they haul away the pieces you're replacing?

Electrical and plumbing – lighting in cabinets and sink cuts are usually your trade.

Condo MCST fees – deposit and permit costs are almost always on you.

Add every exclusion to your own budget sheet. A quote that looks low often just moved these to a different bill.

Timeline, warranty, and defect terms

Price without a schedule is a promise with no date. Tie the two together.

Measure-to-install window? – expect roughly 6 to 10 weeks; get it in writing.

Defect liability period? – look for the standard 1-year cover on workmanship.

Board and hardware warranty? – some fittings carry their own longer cover.

Late-delivery terms? – what happens if they miss the agreed week?

HDB renovation guidelines and condo MCST rules can shift dates, so the quote should name who absorbs that risk when approvals drag.

A final checklist before you sign

Run through this list with the salesperson before your hand touches the pen.

1. Board type, thickness, and surface named for every component.

2. Hardware brand and type listed, not described in adjectives.

3. Exclusions spelled out and costed on your side.

4. Payment stages tied to clear trigger events.

5. Timeline, defect period, and late terms written in.

If a firm dodges these questions or won't put answers in the quote, that's your answer. A good custom furniture quote should read like a plan, not a riddle – and once it does, signing feels calm instead of risky.