In earlier posts about buying bespoke furniture we have looked at what you gain from using the professionals rather than the less expensive carpenter and considered the benefits of using somebody with the knowledge and experience to design a bedroom, home study or home cinema furniture. We also considered the differences in the look and feel of furniture made in factory conditions and then delivered and installed, rather than constructed on-site with your home doubling as the cabinet maker’s workshop.

The next benefit to consider is being able to see examples of the finished product before you buy. Generally speaking, it is unusual for a carpenter to have a showroom, whereas it is highly unusual for a fitted furniture specialist not to have displays of installations that you can see and feel. You would not buy a second hand car unseen, or for that matter a carpet, a bathroom suite or a kitchen appliance but it never ceases to amaze me that people can ask a tradesman to build them fitted wardrobes or alcove units costing hundreds, and probably thousands of pounds, from a sketch and possibly a small sample of material.

A fitted furniture designer will usually come to an appointment with a boot full of samples in his car, but if you are dealing with a legitimate bespoke furniture company you would expect a proper showroom on the high street, a trading estate or, in the case of an independent specialist, attached to the factory or workshop.

Visiting a showroom allows you to get a feel of, not only, how the manufacturer makes its product but also the pride in the quality it offers. It helps you imagine how the product will look in your own home and, very importantly provides a benchmark with which to judge your finished installation and ensure that ‘what you see is what you get’. Metaphorically ‘kicking the tyres’ helps avoid disappointment in your purchase and should allow you to make upgrades or stipulations about how well the drawers run, the level of gloss on a lacquered finish or the exact shade of oak or walnut you expect.

Now we have three reasons for going to the professionals: Design Service, Product Quality and See Before You Buy. But that is not it, by any means. In the coming weeks I intend to give you many more reasons why the professionals are best.