Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

• What is Handkrafted and how does it work?

  Handkrafted is an Australian marketplace that connects you with skilled local furniture makers and craftspeople to commission custom, handmade pieces. There are two ways to start: post a brief describing what you'd like made and we'll match it with a curated selection of the most suitable makers, or explore maker profiles and portfolios for inspiration. Our makers specialise in custom orders: they can realise the vision you have in mind, collaborate with you on a new design, or customise one of their existing designs (dimensions, timber, finishes) to suit your space. See how it works for the full process.

• Is it free? Are there any fees for buyers?

  Connecting with our makers is entirely fee-free and obligation-free for buyers. Posting a brief is free, receiving proposals is free, and you're under no obligation to proceed with any of them. Our Price Guarantee (see below) also gives you confidence that commissioning through Handkrafted doesn't cost you any more than going to a maker directly.

• How many makers will respond to my brief?

  As a rule of thumb, expect to hear from around three makers. We personally review each brief and match it with a small selection of the most suitable makers rather than opening it to a bidding contest. This respects your time and theirs, and means each response is considered and relevant. If none of the initial responses feels right, let us know what was missing and we'll connect you with additional makers suited to your project.

• Can I enquire directly with a specific maker?

  Yes. If you've found a maker whose work you love, use the "Contact Maker" button on their profile or any of their product listings to enquire directly. If you'd rather have us find the right specialists for your project, post a brief and we'll match it to a selection of suited makers.

• What can I expect from the makers who respond?

  Interested makers will contact you to discuss your project, and you'll receive a link to their profile so you can review their portfolio and client reviews. For straightforward briefs, a maker may provide a quote (or a price range) early on. For more involved designs, expect a conversation first to refine dimensions, materials and details before a firm quote. Where substantial design work is needed upfront (drawings, 3D renders, detailed costings), some makers charge a modest design fee, which is often deducted from the project total if you proceed.

• Are the makers vetted? Can I see reviews?

  Makers apply to join Handkrafted and their profiles are reviewed before being published. After each completed project we invite clients to review their maker. Ratings for product quality, communication and delivery appear on maker profiles, and our makers' average product quality rating is 4.9 out of 5 across hundreds of verified reviews.

Posting a Brief & Choosing a Maker

• What should I include in my brief?

  How much you include is up to you, but more detail helps us match you with the best-suited makers, and makers respond more readily to briefs they feel right for. Useful things to cover: approximate dimensions, preferred materials or timber species, colours and finishes, the intended use, your preferred style (links or photos of pieces you like work brilliantly), your location, any required completion date, and, most importantly, a realistic budget range. Briefs with a stated budget receive noticeably better responses, because makers can immediately design to your number rather than guessing.

• How much does custom furniture cost in Australia?

  It depends on the piece, materials and complexity, but as a guide: most custom commissions on Handkrafted land between $2,000 and $10,000, and larger projects regularly exceed that. Custom dining tables typically start around $4,000, bed frames from $3,500, and built-in or larger storage pieces from $5,000. Smaller pieces such as bedside tables typically start around $1,500. The main cost drivers are raw materials, the amount and sophistication of joinery, design effort, and the simple economics of one-off production. Setting a realistic budget in your brief is the single best way to get strong responses from makers.

• Why does custom furniture cost more than store-bought?

  Because you're commissioning skilled local labour and quality materials for a one-off piece, not buying one unit of an offshore factory production run. Making furniture locally in Australia genuinely costs more: quality materials, workshop overheads and fair pay for skilled work are all part of the price. What you receive for it is in another class altogether: a piece designed around your space and your taste, made by hand to a standard that mass production can't reach, by a maker whose name and reputation stand behind it.

• Can I commission a piece I've seen in a maker's portfolio?

  Absolutely. Many makers showcase past commissions and their own designs that can be made to order or customised in size, timber or finish to suit your space. Mention the piece in your enquiry or brief and the maker will take it from there.

• Can a maker copy a design I've seen somewhere else?

  We encourage original work rather than replicas. Copying another designer's piece deprives the original designer of the value of their work, and if the original is mass-produced overseas, a local maker can't match its price on a handmade one-off anyway. The better path: share the pieces you love as style references, and let your maker design something in that spirit, tailored to your space and budget. You'll usually end up with something better than the piece you started from, and it will be genuinely yours.

Pricing, Payments & Fees

• How are payments structured? Do I pay a deposit?

  Payment terms are agreed directly between you and your maker, but a typical structure is: an optional design fee where substantial design work is needed upfront (often deducted from the total if you proceed); an initial deposit (commonly around 50%) before work begins, reflecting the high material costs of bespoke pieces; and the balance on completion or before delivery. Larger projects sometimes use instalments tied to progress milestones. Payments are made directly between you and the maker; Handkrafted doesn't sit in the middle of your money.

• What is the Handkrafted Price Guarantee?

  Peace of mind that you're not paying extra for commissioning through Handkrafted. Every maker registered with us has agreed that the prices for their goods and services through Handkrafted are equal to or lower than what they'd charge you directly or through any other sales channel. If you ever have a question about pricing, contact us.

• What should be agreed in writing before work starts?

  Before paying a deposit, make sure the maker's quote or your correspondence clearly covers: the key design specifications (dimensions, materials, finishes), the timing and schedule, payment terms, what happens on cancellation, delivery arrangements and who insures the piece in transit, and any warranty. Most makers cover all of this as a matter of course in their quote; this checklist is simply what to confirm. We're always happy to advise if you're unsure about anything.

Delivery & Lead Times

• How long does a custom furniture commission take?

  Most pieces take roughly 4 to 12 weeks from confirmed design to completion, depending on the maker's current queue, material availability and the complexity of the piece. Simpler items can be quicker, and larger projects like built-ins or full fitouts can take longer. Our makers build to order, so pieces are rarely sitting in stock. If you have a required completion date, state it in your brief: responses will then come only from makers who can work within your timeframe.

• Can furniture be delivered interstate?

  Many makers ship Australia-wide using specialist furniture couriers (typically $150 to $600 depending on size and distance), while some prefer to work locally, particularly for built-in pieces needing installation. If you don't have a strong preference for a local maker, casting a wider net often gets you more options. Delivery costs and transit insurance are quoted as part of the project.

• Do makers ship internationally?

  Handkrafted is focused on makers based in Australia, and some are able to ship internationally. If you're overseas, enquire directly with the maker whose work interests you, or specify international delivery as a requirement in your brief so only able makers respond.