Frequently Asked Questions
Creating custom timber furniture involves craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail. The process begins with an idea. We chat, sketch, render and wave our arms around until we’re all on the same page! From there, we bring the piece to life.
We understand that buying made-to-order furniture can be risky! What if you don’t like?! What if it’s not what you imagined?! At Kithe, we try to minimise the risk you have to take to work with us. We can provide digital 3D sketches of the intended furniture to help you conceptualise your idea. We are also confident that you will FREAKEN love our work and furniture that we will guarantee your money back if you are not completely satisfied. Plain and Simple.
An inquiry can be made via our website through the contact form or you can call. Please bear in mind that calls can be difficult to answer during the day due to working near loud machinery, but if you leave your name, contact details and message, we can return your call at the end of the day. Email inquiries are generally answered within 24 – 48 hours.
To help us respond accurately to your inquiry it would be worthwhile conveying the following, either via notes, photos or sketches (yes, scribbles on napkins are considered sketches and will be dealt with respect) with:
- Size / dimension of intended furniture
- Size of space the furniture will be placed
- Colour and tone of timber
- Rustic or polished style
- Functionality – what would you like it do?
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At this point we will provide you with a rough estimate for the furniture and if you are happy to proceed will be then provide you with a more accurate costing. When then ask you to supply us with details such your address, email address, and contact number. For the purposes of delivery, we will ask for details regarding your residence such as if you have stairs or narrow doorways, etc.
We are happy to use any timber as long as it is available and is of the correct furniture grade. In saying that we specialise in using Australian recycled or ethically-sourced hardwood timbers. We deal with small timber merchants who salvage from timbers from demolished Melbourne sites.
In most cases yes, but this will be decided on a case by case basis based on the timbers condition and usability.
We understand that buying made-to-order furniture can be risky! What if you don’t like?! What if it’s not what you imagined?! At Kithe, we try to minimise the risk you have to take to work with us. We can provide digital 3D sketches of the intended furniture to help you conceptualise your idea. We are also confident that you will FREAKEN love our work and furniture that we will guarantee your money back if you are not completely satisfied. Plain and Simple.
It varies throughout the year, but generally between 6 – 8 weeks. Please feel free to contact us to find out our current lead times.
We like to use natural finishes that compliment the timber’s natural beauty. Our finishes are resistant to water and dirt, and are durable. They are microporous and grow with the timber, which prevents it from cracking, flaking, peeling or blistering. When dry, the finish is safe for humans and animals. From time to time we also use varnish and tints if the job requires it or if requested.
We currently do not have showroom, but welcome our customers to our workshop to meet with Chris and see what we are currently working on, discuss design ideas and inspect timber and finish samples.
Yes. Some of our customers prefer to communicate via email rather of face to face and we make this process smooth and easy. Most decisions about design, preference of timbers, colours and size can be discussed via email. We can send progress photos of your furniture to ensure you feel confident about the production process without having to attend our factory. We also offer money back guarantee if you are not 100% satisfied.
Timber is a natural product and varies in colour and grain. We do not stain any pieces and so variation will be expected. Some timbers such as Ash and Oak are fairly consistent in colour and grain, whereas others such as Blackwood and Mountain Ash can vary considerably. This is a something we consider desirable and one of the benefits of working with timber. We will often try to display this natural beauty along with gum veins and swirly knots.
We will stand by anything we have made indefinitely. Although, our prices are quite reasonable for what we offer, it’s still quite a big outlay in most cases and we like to think that what we make is going to be around for a very long time and we’re prepared to stand by it for as long as we are in business. We offer money back guarantee if you are not 100% satisfied with our furniture and lifetime guarantee on craftsmanship.
Delivery will depend on your location. Metropolitan Melbourne is usually $150-$200. Interstate locations will be quoted individually.
Yes, we deliver Australia wide. We use highly skilled and experienced transporters for local and interstate deliveries who have been carefully selected for their professionalism in transporting heavy furniture. Your furniture is carefully wrapped and packed with blankets prior to being packed on the truck to prevent scratches or damage in transit.
No, but please advise us of this when you order so we can appropriately inform the transporters.
Yes, we understand that price is a factor when purchasing custom-made furniture and therefore happily provide free quotes. We encourage people to discuss their budget with us, as more often than not, a more economical option is available by simply substituting timber types.
All our furniture are handcrafted in Melbourne and built for life! We use quality recycled and ethically sourced solid timbers, which are personally selected for you when you place your order. Our pieces are individually made and specific to your needs, this takes time, love and care. We take pride in producing one off pieces and love supporting other local businesses.
Our furniture is custom-made and caters for specific requirements. If you love one of our pieces from the website but it is not within your budget, there may be a more economical option available by simply reducing the dimensions or substituting with an alternative timber type. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements and budget.
Yes, to proceed with an order a deposit of 20% of the total bill is required. This deposit is refundable, minus 10% for administration and any cost for materials purchased for the job, if the order is cancelled prior to the commencement of production. The remainder of the bill is required to be paid in full 3 – 4 business days before delivery.
Yes, we provide our customers a secure credit card payment option through E-Way. We take Mastercard and VISA. We also take bank transfer, cash and cheque.
Absolutely! If you don’t have a design in mind, we encourage you to come to our warehouse, meet with Chris who will run through some design ideas and show you photos of previously made furniture. If you prefer to communicate solely via email or phone, this is possible also.
Yes. Let us know your ideas, desires, parameters and/or space restrictions. If you are looking for a custom made cabinet or entertainment unit let us know additional information such as, what you need the item to store. Also, think about the type of timber you would like to use. Once you have this information we can compose a draft sketch of your item and email it to you for further discussion. Feel free to check our website, Instagram and Facebook page.
No, we can help you to work out what timber you would prefer most. At Kithe, we use various types of timbers with different tones and characteristics. However, the tone and shade of these timbers can alter and change significantly depending on the finish that is used. We can provide samples of timbers and finishes to help people conceptualise visualise the final colours and tones.
Yes, you are welcome to make amendments to the original design if production has not commenced yet. Every effort will be made to ensure that you will not incur additional costs, but be mindful that additional costs may not be avoidable if the new design requires more work or timber.
Contact
13 Marine pde, Abbotsford
0418374627
Simply email through your questions and we will get back to uyou as fast as possible or simply drop by the workshop weekdays between 7:30 – 3:30
