FITTED BUILT IN WARDROBE LONDON BLOG

We cover all of Greater London and the surrounding counties, and have done jobs as far as Newcastle in the past. Distance is job specific. We can also make cabinets to be fitted by joiners or fitters close to your area, we would deliver all the pieces and hardware and drawings, and you book a competent wardrobe fitter, much like you would if you bought an off shelf kitchen, and have them fit it.

We fit wardrobesin Camden, Islington, Hackney, Walthamstow, Southwark, Kensington, Brent and Essex and Kent

Trusting a building firm or joinery contractor is a crucial aspect of any construction or renovation project. While we cannot provide specific information about a particular company, I can offer some general guidance on how to evaluate and build trust with a building firm and what to look out for:

1. Research and Background Check:
   • Look into the company's history, including how long they have been in business, their track record, and any reviews or testimonials from previous clients.
   • Check if the firm is properly licensed and insured. This information can be verified through local regulatory authorities.
2. References:
   • Ask the building firm for references from previous clients. Contact these references to inquire about their experiences with the company, the quality of work, and adherence to timelines and budgets.
3. Portfolio of Work:
   • Review the firm's portfolio to see examples of their previous projects. This can give you an idea of their expertise and the quality of their workmanship.
4. Clear Contracts:
   • Ensure that all aspects of the project, including timelines, costs, and specifications, are clearly outlined. For larger projects a well-drafted contract helps manage expectations and prevents misunderstandings.
5. Communication:
   • Communication is key in any construction project. A trustworthy building firm should be open and transparent in their communication. They should be willing to answer your questions, provide regular updates, and address any concerns promptly.
6. Visit Previous Projects:
   • If possible, visit some of the firm's completed projects. This allows you to see the quality of their work firsthand and talk to the owners about their experiences.
7. Payment Terms:
   • Be wary of firms that request a large upfront payment. Payment terms should be reasonable and tied to project milestones. This ensures that you have leverage to address any issues that may arise during the construction process.
8. Professionalism:
   • Assess the professionalism of the building firm. This includes their responsiveness, organization, and how well they present themselves. A professional approach often indicates a commitment to delivering quality service.
9. Legal Protections:
   • Familiarize yourself with the legal protections available in your region. Ensure that the contract includes clauses that protect your interests and specify how disputes will be resolved. Always be aware of all the terms and timelines
10. Trust Your Instincts:
    • Trust your instincts and gut feelings about the firm. If something doesn't feel right, it's worth investigating further or seeking alternative options.

Before making a final decision, it's advisable to obtain quotes and information from multiple building firms to make a well-informed choice.

Hill and Hurl are always happy to quote and compare quotes against other companies for like to like fitted furniture, custom cabinets and bespoke wardrobe products. As specialists in wardrobes and cabinet making across London, we have dealt with building firms, contractors and manufacturers and have experienced every aspect of a build from start to finish. We can recommend and help with a lot of decisions in regards to your project

We install a lot of wardrobes and fitted furniture that is to end up painted. We don't pre paint any of our furniture in the workshop as the environment for it is not ideal.

We offer 2 options with our fitted wardrobes.

Our most common option is we fit the furniture in a primed ready to paint board, when we leave you are left with a white finished piece that would need a cabinet painter or quality decorator to finish it with a top coat. They would seal and fill any joins or holes and then apply the top coat. Usually 2 coats, but some colours can require 3 or 4 coats.

The second option, which does usually cost a little more is we send all the items to be painted to a specialist joinery spray paint shop, then once we fit your items they are in and finished. The sprayers can match the colours to any well known brands of paint, such as farrow and ball or little green. 

There is consideration for both options, one being price but also the type of furniture being fitted. We always suggest a traditional fitted wardrobe or alcove cabinet is more suitable to a hand painted finish, in keeping with the aesthetic of the item and often being fitted in a Victorian or Georgian home, this type of finish is more in keeping with the style of the home also.

Chipboard had a really bad rep from the 'MFI' and 80s flat pack furniture days, these boards were thin, poorly produced and had a thin cheap laminate on the face and edge, often resulting on peeling laminates and loose joins.

Todays chipboard and MFC is superior to these boards from that era. They are thicker and denser at the core, the laminates are really good quality with strong aesthetics. It really is a different product. Lets delve a little deeper...

MFC, or Melamine Faced Chipboard, is a type of engineered wood product that is commonly used in the manufacturing of furniture, including fitted wardrobes. It consists of particleboard or chipboard covered with a layer of melamine resin-impregnated paper. This layer can have various patterns and colors to simulate the appearance of wood or other materials.
Whether MFC is considered "bad" depends on the context and your specific needs. Here are some aspects to consider:

1. Affordability: MFC is generally more affordable compared to some other materials like solid wood or plywood. Its a great option for internals on wardrobes due to the volume of material needed. It is considered more stable than ply and mdf, has a durable face with zero maintenance needs, unlike an oiled wood for example and will last many years.
2. Durability: MFC is sturdy and long-lasting, especially when used for furniture like wardrobes. The quality can vary, so it's essential to consider the thickness of the board and the quality of the melamine facing.
3. Aesthetics: MFC comes in a variety of finishes and can mimic the look of wood or other materials. Todays technology has allowed manufacturers to produce feelwood products, that are incredibly close to real veneers and wood. We use a range of certain boards that we chose barbecue the characteristics are so good we wanted to make it one of our London fitted wardrobe range items. 
4. Environmental Impact: With concern about the environmental impact of using wood products, sustainability credentials are being south more and more . Our MFC  is made from recycled materials, and the manufacturer has a strong focus on its eco credentials.

In summary, whether MFC is suitable for your needs depends on factors such as use case, budget and aesthetic preferences,. If you have specific concerns or priorities, you might want to discuss this further with us.

We are doing a series of blog posts with some of our most commonly asked questions.

This is the first in the series with more to follow

We often get asked 'what are your wardrobes made from?'

We use a range of materials for our London fitted wardrobes and bespoke cabinets.

Fitted wardrobes can be made from a variety of materials, and the choice often depends on personal preference, budget, and the overall style of the room. Here are some common materials we use in the construction of our fitted wardrobes:

1. Particleboard or MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard): These engineered wood products are often used for anything to be painted, we often make doors, panels and frames of the wardrobe. We use fibropaint which has a paintable veneer applied to the surface which gives a flat stable surface ready to be top coat painted
   
2. Melamine / MFC: MFC stands for melamine faced chipboard. A laminate that is often used to cover particleboard or chipboard. It's available in a variety of colors and finishes, making it a versatile choice. Chipboard had a bad stigma, from the 80's flat pack era, but its a completely different product today. The boards are thicker and produced to a higher standard, the laminates used are also thicker, more durable and have a far nicer aesthetic quality. Its very stable and is the most common product we use for carcasses and shelving. It is also environmentally friendly being produced from recycled materials
3. Plywood: Plywood is a strong and durable material made by layering thin sheets of wood. It's a popular choice for when timber is to be used in furniture, including wardrobes. It is also has a very stylised look with its light birch face. 
4. Solid Wood: For a more luxurious and traditional look, some fitted wardrobes are made from solid wood, such as oak, walnut, or mahogany. Solid wood is expensive for large cabinets to be manufactured from, and is considered far less stable than some of the other materials we often use. We rarely make large items from solid timbers. 
5. Glass: Glass can be used for doors or as decorative elements in fitted wardrobes. Frosted or tinted glass is often chosen for a modern and sleek appearance.
6. Metal: Metal elements, such as handles or decorative accents, can be incorporated into the design of fitted wardrobes.

Remember that the specific materials used can vary among manufacturers and custom furniture makers. If you're considering getting fitted wardrobes, it's a good idea to consult with a professional company that specialises in fitted furniture, like Hill and Hurl or talk to the manufacturer to discuss your preferences and any customization options available.

We will be always happy to assist in any queries

Another project for the wonderful Lauren Caisley interiors, here we did the interior joinery for a London home. We created a range of beautiful bespoke storage and media solutions all finished off in a stunning colour palette.

​We work with you from concept to completion across all interior furniture projects. We can make to any style and finish and deliver truly stunning pieces just like this project here...

We recently completed a fit out of the interior joinery for a Georgian villa, and were commissioned by the fabulous Lauren Caisley interiors. We had the whole team on this project and were able to turn it around quickly for the tight deadline the client hoped for.

When E5 were asked to quote for the Sarah Beeny renovation show to provide contemporary fitted wardrobes in Bow East London. We developed some unique design concepts for the clients to sort their busy lives and arrange their belongings in a more suitable way that helped them with their storage issues.

We made bespoke wardrobes with floor to ceiling spray finished doors, these included recessed handles and a range of internal storage solutions. As with all our bespoke wardrobes London we use the highest quality fittings and build to the space, providing a fully flush unit that looks part of the house

We were recently contacted by Lauren Caisley interiors to complete a full fit out of an Islington townhouse. This included Islington fitted wardrobes in every bedroom. Bespoke storage solutions in the kitchen which also included a custom storage bench seat. 


​

With the new and larger team in place we are expanding a quote radius, we can now offer bespoke furniture London and fitted wardrobes across London. This means if you want a fitted wardrobe Camden or a bespoke shelving unit Islington we can come and discuss the design you have in mind. Whether you want to maximise storage or create a luxury bespoke unit out of new and exciting materials we have the capacity to complete the project from design to install.

Talk to us about your London wardrobe quote today

E5 Carpentry is moving to a larger workshop space. We will be upgrading our machinery and installing a spray booth. This means we will be bringing lots of processes in house that we previously had to outsource. We can now create complete bespoke fitted wardrobes to exact specification. We can work with you on design to finish using unique materials and storage design ideas. Our fitted wardrobes London offering will be increasing, with a new London wardrobe show and sample space in the pipeline you will be able to visit for a consultation on your design and finishing options and wardrobe hardware choices. Pics of the new space coming soon...