Do you provide free quotes?

Yes, if you want we can give you an estimate or a quote if we have enough detail, just email us at info@empatlka.com some rough dimensions and a sketch and ideally some pictures of the area you have in mind and you will get a quote very quickly by email. If you are happy with the estimate then we can come and visit you when it suits you and talk in detail.

How reliable are your carpenters?

We are very reliable, stick to start times and days agreed, we do what we say we will do, we turn up on time every day in order not disrupt your schedule. And we are there throughout the job, not disappearing for one day to do something else.

Do you provide drawings?

Yes once we receive your deposit, we provide you with a hand drawn from scratch 3D computer scale drawing precise to the millimetre for you to check how it looks and to see if you are happy with the dimensions. If you like you can make any changes until the drawing is perfect.

How do I know you will do a good job?

Before I buy anything I read reviews so I suggest you do the same, we have over 100 independent testimonials on the internet. Please have a look at our testimonial page to see what our clients say about us

You call or email us, we asses your needs and give you an estimate or quote, then we arrange a time to come round and visit you, ask you more questions in detail to find out exactly what you would like, listen very carefully to your ideas and offer design ideas and solutions to best use your space and needs. We go away, email you a final quote. Once you decide to go ahead, we take a small deposit, then send you the drawings, once you have agreed the drawing we can book your place in the diary and we agree a start date. We then turn up with the materials and tools and build your units, then once built we paint them or oil them. Then once we are totally finished and you are delighted, only then do you pay us the balance, lastly if you feel testimonials have helped you choose us, please help us keep them fresh and leave us a testimonial here: https://plus.google.com/101927655300158702077/about?hl=en&review=1

Are you going to make a big mess in our house?

We understand that your home is precious and we do everything we can to make sure we leave it in the state we found it. All our materials are cut to size by a specialist cutting company before being delivered to your home, so minimal cutting is required onsite, even then we cover and protect the floors, cover your furniture with plastic sheets, use dust extractors connected directly to power tools, we even use a fine dust and chemical extractor for really sensitive areas, this is well over the top but we like to do the very best we can and offer the best service, and when the work is all finished we take all our rubbish away and give your place a clean.

What materials and finishes do you offer?

Our units are built of quality Medite FSC certified MDF wood then painted, or made of wood veneer we can oil or use matt water based clear varnish, and also melamine coated wood as typically found in kitchen units. We are also pioneering research in alternative healthier eco friendlier materials, we are the first UK fitted furniture company to use UK sourced strawboard which is totally natural and bound with no glues at all to make our bespoke furniture, we can build your units out of formaldehyde free MDF too, we also use recycled plastic sheeting for decorative purposes with lighting behind and recycled glass as well as many other sustainable materials and finishes to find out more please see our eco page.

Do you paint the units and what colours do you offer?

Yes, we use the best quality professional waterbased DULUX and Farrow and Ball eggshell semi matt white paint . If you would like the eco option using more natural paints please see our environment page. We mostly use white but can paint any colour you like (If you would like to paint your fitted furniture we can offer you free advice).

Do you spray the units and do high gloss?

We can arrange to spray the doors and outside visible parts and make the internal carcass of a white or other colour melamine coated laminate.

Are your charges transparent?

All charges are stated in advance in the final quote, you know what you will pay from the start, everything is listed in the quote. Only handles are optional and to be supplied by you or us, also parking is extra, so they are priced separately. All of which is clearly stated in your quote.

Does your service represent value?

For the quality of service we offer from beginning to end we offer outstanding value, we take great pride in producing only the best bespoke furniture that you will be proud to own for years to come, we offer a 2 year guarantee on our work, we are endorsed by various independent certification bodies, we take customer service very seriously, we understand that there is more to producing furniture than wood and screws, your total satisfaction is our number one priority, but don’t take our word for us see what our clients say.

How flexible are you once the work has started if something needs changing?

Our craftsmen all speak good English and have a great deal of skill and will do everything they can if you feel that something needs adapting, for example you change your mind about how many shelves you want, or the spacing between them, then if it is possible we will do what we can to please you, either free of charge or at extra cost depending on what it is.

Can you fix stuff in my home?

Yes if you need anything fixing in your home while we are there making your fitted furniture, if we can do it we will help you out. I like to offer a service that I would like to use myself so for such things as hanging pictures, fixing doors that don’t close and generally anything wood related tell us when we come to measure up for your fitted furniture.

Do you use real wood?

We use real wood veneers or plastic laminates that look like wood but not generally solid wood, we work with close associates who use solid wood, just ask us for contacts.

We don’t do bathrooms but if we are already working in your house doing other fitted furniture, we will consider any storage you would like for your bathroom.

I have sockets where I want my fitted furniture how will you deal with this?

If you have an electrical, phone or TV areal socket that is ok as we can cut a hole in the back so you can still access them, we can move electrical sockets around if they haven’t got far to go. Phone sockets we can more if there is enough spare wire.

Do you make kitchens?

No we don’t make kitchens but sometimes can make units that go in your kitchen such as a bookcase.

Reasons NOT to Attempt DIY Furniture

Home » Blog » Reasons NOT to Attempt DIY Furniture

Stylish and contemporary furniture doesn’t come cheap – even at large companies known for selling affordable items, the trendier, more unique pieces come with a high price tag. But here at Empatika we have a passion for contemporary furniture, and even though it can be a big investment we think it’s a fair price to pay for a staple which could live in your home for as long as you do.

Well made, solid furniture is worth every penny as it is practical and functional, but also offers an aesthetic advantage too. Modern furniture is a great way to show off your style and personality, and unlike clothing you can use it every single day in your home. It becomes part of your daily lifestyle – a part of your family’s life. With this in mind, shouldn’t you opt for a luxury piece of furniture, built to stand the test of time, rather than attempting to build something yourself? Take a look at the statistics below to see the endless ways a DIY project could go wrong!

Research from the AA Home Membership reveals that 74% of men and women have had a DIY calamity or mishap at some point. That includes self-injury (hitting finger with a hammer or falling off a ladder) to full disasters such as drilling a hole in the wrong place. Surprisingly, men are more likely than women to experience a DIY misadventure! With almost three quarters of self-proclaimed handymen and women admitting to these DIY blunders, we recommend you keep the skilled jobs to the experts!

Making high quality furniture is a skilled craft – it takes a lot of woodwork experience and expensive equipment to get it right first time. It may look easy and if you have some spare wood panels lying around it can be tempting to have a go at putting something together. But can you be sure how stable it will be once finished? Would you be 100% confident putting your most prized possessions on a homemade shelving cabinet, or letting your child sit on a DIY chair? Here are just a few reasons why you should showcase your DIY talents elsewhere…

1. Most people find flat-pack furniture impossible, never mind starting from scratch yourself! Search the hashtag #ikeafail on Instagram for some of the funniest flat-pack catastrophes.

2. Hinges on wardrobe and cupboard doors are difficult to fit evenly and securely, so your furniture could end up with wonky doors or they could fall off completely

3. Draws may not be straight or run smoothly

4. A shelving unit may not be strong enough to withstand weight

5. It could collapse at any time, causing injury to you or your family and/or damage to possessions and your home

6. If anything does go wrong with your DIY furniture there is nobody to contact who can help you – no one to blame but yourself! There is no compensation for any damage done to you or your home, and all the time and effort you put into the project is wasted. If you choose a reliable company to build your furniture, you will get a guarantee for years in case anything goes wrong with your custom furniture

We understand why people attempt to build their own furniture. Perhaps there is nothing on the market which suits your style or the décor of your home, or maybe you have alcoves and uniquely shaped rooms which mass manufactured furniture simply doesn’t accommodate for. In this case, you can trust a fitted furniture company to design bespoke creations for you. Skilled carpenters and furniture designers can visit your home and build furniture to your specifications. From fitted wardrobes, media units and bookshelves to a full home office, anything is possible when you commission custom furniture.

Designing and installing built-in furniture is obviously a huge investment, but it is a worthwhile one. If you choose a trusted company they will use the highest quality materials which will be robust and secure, ensuring the safety of your belongings and your family. They are built to last forever, so you shouldn’t have to worry about paying for repairs or maintenance, or replacing the furniture at any point. Of course, with DIY furniture it’s a bit of a gamble and you never know when a table or shelf may need replacing!