There’s quite a lot to think about when planning a new project. So we’ve gathered together some of the questions we’re asked most often, from what truly bespoke means and how our furniture is made, to budgets, timescales and what happens when you’re ready to get started.
Our Kitchens & Furniture
What does a truly bespoke kitchen mean?
Bespoke is a term that’s used widely and often a little too loosely.
For us, it means custom made from start to finish. Every cabinet, drawer and piece of furniture, individually designed and made to order. We aren’t adapting pre-made units or working within a set range of standard sizes, so we’re free to make things taller, wider, deeper, different, if that’s what’s required.
It means your kitchen is genuinely one of a kind.
Are Baker & Baker kitchens handmade?
Yes. Our cabinetry, doors, drawers and fitted furniture are made by our own team of furniture makers at our workshop in Stambourne, Essex.
Made not manufactured, we use traditional cabinetmaking methods rather than mass-production techniques, and our painted cabinetry is hand-finished in our own spray shop.
Where are your kitchens and furniture made?
Everything is made and finished at our workshop in Stambourne, on the Essex/Suffolk border.
Clients are always welcome to visit the workshop and see their project coming to life.
Can you make furniture for awkward or unusual spaces?
Absolutely.
Period properties, barn conversions, extensions with tricky angles, low ceilings or uneven walls, these are often where bespoke design really shines. Because everything is made to measure, we can work around beams, alcoves, sloping ceilings and other architectural quirks without compromise.
Can we choose any colour?
Yes, you absolutely can.
We can colour match to virtually any paint shade, fabric, or reference sample. That is the beauty of bespoke. No limitations, you can have exactly what you want.
We also offer a colour consultation as part of the service to help you choose.
Do you make furniture for rooms other than kitchens?
Very much so. We make boot rooms, utilities, pantries, dressing rooms, wardrobes, libraries, studies, media cabinetry, bathroom vanities, entrance halls and all sorts of other fitted and freestanding pieces.
Many projects begin with a kitchen and gradually find their way into other rooms in the house.
Cost & Budget
How much does a bespoke Baker & Baker kitchen cost?
Our kitchens start from around £35,000 for the cabinetry for an average-sized kitchen, depending on the materials, style and level of detail involved.
Every project is different, so we’ll always discuss budget early in the process. It helps us design something that is both beautiful and realistic from the outset.
What is included in the price?
We like to keep our quotations clear and straightforward. Your cabinetry price includes making, finishing, delivery and fitting, with worktops and appliances priced separately according to your choices.
We’ll talk through all of this during the design process so there are no surprises later.
Is there a design fee?
Yes. Our design service is £350, which is redeemable against your cabinetry if you go ahead with us.
It includes a site visit, design development, detailed layouts and elevations, 3D visuals and a full quotation proposal.
Do you supply appliances and worktops?
Yes. We can source and supply all appliance ranges and countertops.
Can you work to a particular budget?
Yes, and we’d much rather talk openly about budget from the start.
Knowing roughly where you’d like to be allows us to make suitable decisions about the size, materials and detailing of the project without designing something that isn’t realistic.
Designing your Kitchen
How does the design process work?
We usually recommend starting with a visit to our Clare showroom. Here, you
can browse our beautiful displays and gather inspiration. We’ll chat through your plans and ideas and get a sense of your style and the kinds of kitchens that appeal to you.
If you decide to go ahead with a full design proposal, we’ll arrange a home visit with Graham. This usually takes an hour or two, during which, he’ll take measurements and get a real sense of the space and its full potential.
From there we develop the design before inviting you back to the showroom to present our ideas, drawings, 3D visuals and quotation.
When should we contact you if we’re renovating or extending?
Earlier than you might think.
If you’re planning an extension, renovation or new build, it’s helpful to involve us while plans can still be adjusted. Positioning windows, doors, plumbing, electrics and services with the kitchen in mind can make a considerable difference to the finished room.
You don’t need to wait until the building work has started.
Can you work from architects’ plans?
Yes. We’re very happy to begin conversations from architectural drawings, even if the room itself doesn’t exist yet.
We’ll work from the plans initially and take final site measurements at the appropriate stage.
Can you work with project managers and interior designers?
Yes, very happily.
Some of our favourite projects have grown from sitting around a table with architects, interior designers and clients and working through ideas together. We’re equally comfortable leading the cabinetry side or working as part of a wider design team.
Making & Fitting
How long does a bespoke kitchen take to make?
The cabinetry itself usually takes around six weeks to make, depending on the size and complexity of the project.
As a general guide, allow around three months from the initial design stage through to completion. We’ll give you a clear timeline at the start, so you know what to expect.
Do you fit your own kitchens?
Yes. Our kitchens and fitted furniture are installed by our own experienced fitting team.
Because we have designed and made the cabinetry ourselves, we know exactly how everything should come together on site.
How long does installation take?
This depends on the size and complexity of the project, but most installations take between one and three weeks.
We’ll give you an expected fitting schedule well before we arrive on site.
Can you arrange builders, plumbers and electricians?
We can recommend trusted tradespeople and coordinate their work alongside ours where required.
If you already have your own builder, electrician, plumber or other contractors, that’s absolutely fine too. We’re used to working alongside other trades and will make sure everyone has the information they need.
What happens if something needs adjusting after installation?
Just give us a call.
Houses move, timber settles and occasionally something needs a little adjustment after a kitchen has been lived with for a while. We don’t disappear once the final cabinet has been fitted and we’re always happy to help if something needs our attention.
Visiting Us & Where We Work
Where is the Baker & Baker showroom?
Our showroom is in the market town of Clare in Suffolk, close to the Essex border.
It’s home to several of our kitchen and furniture displays as well as a lovely collection of homewares and accessories.
The showroom is open Thursdays and Fridays, 10am -4pm and by appointment any time.
Do I need an appointment to visit the showroom?
Not at all. During our normal opening hours, you’re very welcome to pop in, wander around the showroom.
For a more detailed chat about a project, we recommend making an appointment so we can give you our full attention.
What should I bring to our first meeting?
As much or as little as you have.
Architects’ drawings, room measurements, photographs, are all useful. But if you’re right at the beginning and only have a few ideas in your head, that’s absolutely fine too.
What areas do you cover?
Most of our work is across Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, as well as selected projects in London and the surrounding counties.
If you’re a little further afield, it’s always worth getting in touch. The scale and location of the project will determine how practical it is for us to take it on.
Starting a Project
What is the next step if we’d like to work with Baker & Baker?
Come and see us, give us a call or send us an email.
You don’t need to have everything decided before getting in touch. A few ideas, some plans or simply a room you’d like to change is enough to start the conversation.
Clare Showroom
Telephone: 01787 279119
Email: info@bakerandbaker.co.uk
We’d love to hear what you’re planning.
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