Frequently Asked Questions: Your Queries Answered

Find answers to all your questions about ordering, delivery, installation, and pricing of our bespoke furniture. Learn about our ordering process, measuring tips, customisation options, and more. We’re here to help via phone or email for any additional queries!

Our Ordering Process: How Does It Work?

Use our simple online price calculators to create your custom design and receive an instant quote. Just select the items you need, upload your basic dimensions, and include a digital photo of your space, if possible. Once you submit your request, we’ll give you a call to discuss the details. Rest assured; production doesn’t begin until you are 100% satisfied and have approved your ‘final drawing’.

For non-alcove wardrobes, media units, bookcases, or other custom cabinetry, please use our Enquiry Form. Upload a simple sketch or drawing, along with rough dimensions and a photo of your space. We’ll get back to you promptly with a personalised quote.

Don’t worry! We contact every customer upon receiving an enquiry form. Production will not begin until you are completely satisfied, your order is confirmed, payment is received, and you’ve given final approval to your personalised, scaled drawings.

Once your order is confirmed, you will receive a PDF with the fitting sequence and personalised scaled drawings in both front elevation and plan view for your approval. Upon your approval, our logistics team will coordinate with you to confirm a delivery or collection date. Then, simply sit back and await your made-to-measure furniture!

Delivery

Your custom furniture will be delivered within approximately 6 weeks of placing your order.

Your order will arrive with all cabinet components pre-drilled and ready for assembly. A parts box will contain all necessary hardware, such as hinges, doorknobs, shelf pegs, and fittings.

Please visit our Delivery Service page for more information.

General

Please let us know if there are any features like curtain poles, radiators, plug sockets, fireplace hearths, or gas pipes that extend into the area. These are not a problem, but a photo of the space can be very helpful.

We do not have showrooms or high street shops, which helps us keep our costs down. If you’re local, you’re welcome to visit our workshop by appointment. If you’re not local but would like a face-to-face consultation, we can arrange a Zoom meeting.

With over 30 years of experience in designing and installing fitted furniture, we are well-equipped to provide expert recommendations on maximising your space and achieving the best aesthetics.

No, this helps us keep our costs down. Measuring is straightforward, and we provide clear guidance on the measurements needed. Precision to the millimetre isn’t necessary; we allow for tolerance in our cabinet construction. Please visit our How to Measure Your Space Like a Pro page for more information.

Absolutely! It’s common for both period properties and modern homes to have uneven walls. Our cabinets are designed with a 20mm tolerance, providing ample flexibility to fit seamlessly against even the most uneven walls.

You can start the ordering process as early as the plasterboard stage. Rest assured, changes to the dimensions can be made up to two weeks before the delivery date.

Approval Process

Shortly after placing your order, we will send you a scaled drawing in both plan and front elevation views for your approval. This drawing is provided free of charge unless the order is cancelled, in which case a £20 fee will apply to cover our time. You may request up to three revisions to the drawing, allowing you the time needed to review and ensure you are completely happy.

A final scaled drawing, titled “Drawing for Final Approval”, will then be emailed to you. This drawing will outline the precise measurements and features of your cabinet. It is essential that you carefully review this final drawing to ensure all details are included and accurate so that you are fully satisfied. Your confirmation via email will be considered your written consent to proceed with production.

Please Note: Your email confirmation represents your final approval. If any amendments are needed, they must be communicated before this point. Once approval is given and the furniture has gone into production, further changes cannot be accommodated. If you change your mind about any details after production has started, we can provide replacement or duplicate parts at cost price.

  • Timeline for Approval: To avoid delays in production and delivery, please review and approve the final drawing as promptly as possible.
  • Responsibility for Accuracy: It is your responsibility to ensure that all measurements, details, and features in the final drawing are correct before approving.
  • Post-Approval Changes: After final approval, production begins, and any changes may incur additional costs and extend the timeline.

Pricing

Our prices start at just £450 for a single base cabinet, complete with soft-close doors and height-adjustable shelves (unprimed). Double wardrobes start at £650.

No, the height alone will not increase the cost unless your wardrobes or cabinets exceed a certain height (3 metres). The price is primarily determined by the features and options you select.

Yes, all of our quotes are inclusive of VAT.

We accept all major credit and debit cards as well as bank transfers. You will receive an invoice with a direct link to a secure payment button. Our bank details are also provided on the invoice if you prefer to pay via bank transfer.

At DIY Alcove Cabinets, we provide bespoke cabinetry without the premium price tag. As an online business, we have significantly lower overheads than high street retailers. Additionally, there are no costs for site visits, and you handle the fitting and painting yourself (or hire your local carpenter).

If you change your mind, we offer a full refund up to two weeks before the delivery week specified on your invoice. The refund will be processed minus a small non-refundable Stripe processing fee and a £20 charge for the cost of any scaled drawings provided. After this date, work on your bespoke furniture order will likely have begun, and you will no longer be able to cancel your order.

Yes, for extra peace of mind we offer a 5-year warranty on all our furniture. Crafted from premium materials and hardware, our pieces are built for exceptional durability and quality. In the unlikely event of any defects in materials or workmanship, we will repair or replace the faulty parts. For more details, please visit our Your 5-Year Guarantee page.

Assembly and Installation Process

We will send you a PDF with a step-by-step fitting sequence before delivery. Please follow these instructions alongside your bespoke drawing.

No, you don’t need to be a DIY expert! Our furniture comes as a flat-pack kit that includes all necessary hardware and an easy-to-follow fitting sequence. Simply follow the steps provided and refer to your bespoke drawing.

Please visit our Installation Tips page for further information.

Don’t worry! We keep all your order details on file. If you make a mistake, contact us as soon as possible, and we’ll quickly provide any necessary replacement parts.

Typically, you can expect to install a pair of alcove cabinets, wardrobes, or bookcases within a day.

You can start the installation whenever it’s convenient for you. However, if you don’t plan to install your furniture immediately, please store the panels flat and away from moisture or damp areas.

Our cabinets, wardrobes, media units, and bookcases are designed for DIY assembly. However, we do provide a local installation service for customers in Surrey and the South East. We can also recommend trusted joiners in other parts of the country and offer guidance on the length of time a fitter should take to install your specific furniture.

No, you do not need to remove any original features. These features add character to your home, and our fitting guide includes instructions to help you fit your furniture around them.

There are two options for ceiling coving:

  • You can install the furniture just below the coving, allowing it to remain visible.
  • Alternatively, you can extend the coving across the front of the furniture. We can provide the materials needed for this approach.

No, provisions for plug sockets should be made on-site. Detailed instructions for this are included in our fitting guide.

We recommend installing the furniture before laying new carpets.

Yes, our drawers, chests of drawers and kitchen cabinets are delivered pre-assembled. All other furniture items require on-site assembly.

Our Products

We offer alcove cabinets, alcove wardrobes, non-alcove wardrobes, media units, bookcases, kitchen cabinets, pantries, window seats with storage, and other custom cabinetry, both in fitted and freestanding format.

Yes, we do! You can use our Price Calculator to get an instant online quote for base cabinets.

Yes, we do. However, due to the complex angles involved, we recommend having a professional fit the storage for you.

Please visit our What Are Our Cabinets and Wardrobes Made From? page for further information.

Yes, we offer a range of finishes for our alcove cabinets, wardrobes, media units, kitchens, and bookcases. Our furniture is designed for a classic external paint finish, with prefinished laminate interiors where suitable. Additionally, we provide wood veneers for accents, such as cabinet tops and back panels, but we do not use solid wood.

Our furniture is crafted with sustainability in mind, which is why we opt not to use solid wood like oak. Oak trees take a minimum 25 years to mature, and rather than cutting them down and promising to replant, we believe in preserving them from the start. Instead, we use sustainably sourced MDF, which offers superior quality and an eco-friendlier option. Please see our blog on Why We Use Premium MDF Over Solid Wood.

Absolutely! Unlike many other made-to-measure furniture suppliers, we don’t have standard sizes. All our furniture is fully bespoke, allowing you to make the most of every millimetre of your space.

There is no minimum depth for our alcove cabinets. However, please let us know what you intend to store in your alcove cabinets, and we can provide guidance on the best depth for your needs.

We don’t have a standard shelf depth; all our furniture is custom-made to suit your exact needs and specifications.

Absolutely! Our cabinets, shelves, and wardrobes can be tailored to fit any wall, so an alcove or chimney breast is not required.

If you have the option we recommend fitting the cabinets first. We usually recommend running the flooring up to the furniture. Just let us know the height of your proposed flooring, and we’ll make any necessary adjustments to ensure a seamless installation.

Yes, we can! However, due to the complexity of working with unique angles, we recommend having a professional handle the installation.

Yes, we offer a range of ambient lighting options for all our furniture. Choose from various dimmable LED lights supplied by trusted brands.

Doors

Yes, absolutely. Please let us know if you’re interested in sliding doors.

We craft frame doors designed to accommodate glass inserts. While we don’t supply the glass directly, we provide precise dimensions so you can source it locally. The glass will be installed after the doors are painted, and we supply everything necessary to secure it properly. We can also create doors designed to hold fabric curtains, following the same approach – providing dimensions while you source the fabric locally.

Yes, all our cabinets and wardrobes are fitted with soft-close drawers as standard.

Our Wardrobes

We don’t have any standard sizing. All our wardrobes are made to measure.

Generally the maximum height for our wardrobes is up to 3 metres. Although if you need to go higher, please get in touch.

To promote airflow and prevent dampness, we leave a 25mm gap at the back and a 75mm gap along the sides to accommodate uneven walls and ensure proper ventilation.

Yes, we offer a wide range of customisable exterior and interior layouts to meet your specific storage requirements. For more details, please visit our Bespoke Wardrobes page.

All our wardrobes come with two hanging rails and one adjustable shelf as standard. You can further enhance your wardrobe’s interior with optional upgrades, including internal drawers, shoe racks, pull-down hanging rails, and LED lighting. For more details, please visit our Bespoke Wardrobes page.

We recommend a minimum depth of 600mm from the back wall to the front of the doors to ensure optimal storage space and functionality. This will give you a 540mm interior.

Our Cabinets

The maximum width for a two-door base cabinet is 1.4 metres. For widths beyond this, three or more doors will be required at an additional cost.

Each base cabinet includes one adjustable internal shelf. Our upper bookcases come with four adjustable shelves.

Yes, our shelves are adjustable as standard. However, for shelves intended to hold heavy items, such as a record collection, we recommend a fixed position for added stability.

The maximum height for our upper cabinets and bookshelves is 3 metres.

We offer completely bespoke layouts, including options like log storage, open shelving, and more. We provide a range of traditional and contemporary door styles and additional features such as fluting, traditional cornices, skirting, and more. Most of these options are available on our Price Calculator, but if you have specific requirements not listed, please let us know, and we will provide a custom quote.

How To Paint the Furniture

For detailed guidance and helpful tips on painting your furniture, please visit our Painting Tips for a Professional Finish page.

Why Choose DIY Alcove Cabinets?

There are countless reasons to choose us for your made-to-measure furniture! For a full list of benefits, please visit our Why DIY Alcove Cabinets? page.