What kind of operation you are running.
WHAT FORMS EXIST
Bespoke furniture made to order Batch production of standard designs
Fitted joinery: wardrobes, kitchens, shop fitting
Upholstery Furniture retail Repair and restoration Timber supply and machining
WHY THE DISTINCTION MATTERS
Bespoke work is project-based; batch production is manufacturing; retail is stock and margin.
WHAT BESPOKE WORK DEPENDS ON
Skilled labour, and each piece is made once.
WHAT BATCH PRODUCTION DEPENDS ON
Repeatability, jigs and volume.
WHAT FITTED JOINERY ADDS
Site measurement, installation and working around other trades.
WHAT ALL SHARE
Timber and materials as the dominant cost Skilled labour that is difficult to replace Long lead times Deadlines tied to customers' events or handovers
WHY DEADLINES MATTER
Furniture is ordered for occasions, moves and openings.
WHAT DETERMINES PROFITABILITY
Accurate estimating Material yield and waste Labour hours against estimate Rework Getting paid
WHAT MOST WORKSHOPS DO NOT KNOW
Hours actually consumed per piece.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH FIRST
That figure, measured, for the pieces you make repeatedly.
WHAT TO TREAT THIS CATEGORY AS
Business and operational guidance, with machine safety taken seriously throughout.
