Custom woodworking: measurement and installation responsibilities

Agree on measurements and installation responsibilities before fabrication. Your preliminary measurements may support a quote, but approval of final production dimensions and site readiness need separate definition.

Name the person responsible for final measurements

Explain the project stage and whether floors, walls, or adjoining surfaces will still change. Agree on when measurements can be reliable. If you will supply them, ask for written instructions on what to measure and the required precision.

In an awkward space, width and height may not be enough. The maker will assess angles, uneven surfaces, and installation clearances, for example. Responsibility should be clear if the finished piece does not fit.

Check delivery and the installation location

Review doors, stairs, elevators, and the route the furniture will take. Ask whether it will be made in sections or as one piece. The installer also needs safe access to the location.

Clarify who removes existing furniture, protects surfaces, and handles other necessary tasks. If installation connects with electrical, plumbing, or other systems, coordinate with an appropriate professional.

Agree on handover ready for use

Record fixing, fitting, door and drawer adjustments, finishing, and removal of packing materials. Ask what you need to prepare and how site delays affect delivery.

For a custom cabinet, check operation on site: doors open, internal fittings match the agreement, and connections are finished. Keep approved dimensions and drawings. Clear responsibilities make any discrepancy much easier to resolve.