Buying custom furniture is exciting—until you realize you’re making decisions that will shape how a piece looks, functions, and holds up for decades.
At Heirloom Amish Furniture, we work with Amish craftsmen who build solid hardwood furniture with time-tested methods and careful attention to detail. Even with high-quality construction, the best results come from asking the right questions before your order is placed.
We’ll Guide You Through the Process
Knowing where to start and what questions to ask can be difficult at times, but we are here to help you through the whole process. Asking the right questions can make this process very simple and avoid future problems.
Here are the ten questions we recommend asking yourself and us before buying a custom furniture piece.
1) What Materials am I Choosing?
Custom furniture starts with the right foundation. Wood species, finish options, construction methods, and hardware all affect the final look, durability, maintenance, and price.
When our customers come into the showroom, we help them compare wood characteristics and talk through how the furniture will be used. A dining table for everyday family life should be built and finished differently than a formal piece that is used a few times each year. The right material choices make your furniture look and hold up better.
2) Can I See Real Stain and Wood Samples in Person?
Photos are helpful for inspiration, but they don’t tell the full story. Lighting and screen settings can change how a finish looks, and wood grain naturally varies from board to board.
We recommend seeing wood and stain samples in person whenever possible. The same stain can look noticeably different on cherry compared to oak, and even two pieces of the same wood can have different tone and grain character. We want your expectations to match what arrives at your home.
3)Can I Ask for Specific Measurements?
Most people remember to measure where the piece will sit but forget to measure the path it needs to take to get there. This is where delivery problems happen.
Before ordering, we recommend measuring doorways, hallway turns, and any tight angles that could affect delivery. This is especially important for larger pieces like hutches, king headboards, and oversized dressers. A few minutes of careful measuring can prevent a very frustrating delivery day.
4) What’s the Lead Time Right Now?
Custom furniture takes time because it’s built to order. Production schedules can vary depending on the complexity of the piece, the finish selected, and the time of year. For example, a custom finish or special hardware can add time compared to a standard option.
At Heirloom, we’ll give you an estimated timeline up front and keep you informed through the process. If you need furniture by a specific date, tell us early—then we can help you choose options that fit your timeframe and plan accordingly.
5) What Does the Warranty Cover?
A warranty should be clear, specific, and realistic. It’s meant to protect you from craftsmanship issues.
We’ll walk you through what’s covered, how claims are handled, and how to care for your furniture so it stays in excellent condition. Solid wood furniture is incredibly durable, but it does best in stable indoor conditions where humidity swings are avoided.
6) If There’s an Issue Later, How Does Service Work?
Even with careful building and delivery, occasionally something needs attention: a piece arrives with minor damage, a finish needs a touch-up, or hardware needs adjusting.
Before you order, ask how service works if an issue comes up. At Heirloom, we believe the relationship doesn’t end at delivery. We’ll tell you exactly who to contact and what the process looks like, so you’re not stuck figuring it out after the fact.
7) Is this Design Structurally Ideal for Real Use?
A piece can look great and still lack the basic needs to be used properly. For example, very long tabletops often need the right reinforcement, and certain leg styles or base designs can affect stability.
We help customers evaluate design choices based on function, not just appearance. If there’s a smarter structural option that keeps the same style, we’ll explain it. Our goal is to help you create a piece that stays sturdy and beautiful without constant upkeep.
8) How do Deposits and Payments Work?
Custom furniture typically requires a deposit, and once production begins, changes may not be possible.
We recommend asking:
- When the order becomes final
- What changes are allowed (and when)
- When the balance is due
- What happens if you need to adjust something after approval
Clear expectations protect both you and the builder. It also prevents the stress of last-minute changes that are difficult to implement mid-build.
9) Can I Approve the Exact Specs Before Anything is Built?
This is one of the most important steps in the entire process.
Before production begins, you should be able to review a complete written spec sheet that includes dimensions, wood species, finish selection, hardware, and any custom modifications. If drawings are available for a complex piece, that is even better.
At Heirloom, we prefer to over-communicate. When details are confirmed in writing, mistakes and surprises become less likely.
10) What Exactly Does Delivery and Setup Include?
Delivery can mean different things depending on the retailer and the piece.
We recommend asking whether delivery is curbside or in-home, whether setup is included, and whether there are additional fees for difficult access. Confirming what happens if a piece cannot fit through a doorway or hallway is always helpful because it will eliminate stress the day of delivery.
We want delivery to be the final step—not the beginning of a new problem.
Why Asking These Questions Matters
Custom furniture is worth it when you want something built to fit your home. The best custom experiences happen when the details are clarified early, expectations are set correctly, and the build is tailored to how you actually live.
If you’re considering custom Amish furniture, we’d be happy to help you compare options, review measurements, and choose the right materials. Here at Heirloom Amish Furniture we want the end result to be perfect for the space you designed it for.
