When someone comes to us looking for bespoke furniture, it's natural to assume that the best solution is going to be the most expensive one.
We don't always agree.
For Jono and the team, our approach is customer-first.
That means listening carefully to what the customer wants, understanding what they actually need and then recommending a solution that makes sense for their space.
Sometimes that means building something more elaborate.
Sometimes it means telling the customer they don't need it.
What does the customer actually need?
A customer may arrive with an idea for a particular piece of furniture.
But the idea and the underlying need aren't always the same thing.
Perhaps they want a particular type of storage.
Perhaps they want the room to feel more organised.
Perhaps they want to make better use of an awkward space.
Our job is to understand the reason behind the request.
Once we understand that, we can decide what solution will actually achieve it.
Sometimes simpler is better
There have been occasions where I've advised customers that what they were considering wasn't actually necessary.
That can mean less work for JML.
But that's okay.
The purpose of a consultation shouldn't be to convince someone to buy the biggest or most complicated piece possible.
It should be to help them make a good decision.
Paying for quality where it matters
That doesn't mean the cheapest option is always the right option either.
There are situations where additional detail, better materials, more drawers, a particular door style or a higher-quality finish genuinely improves the result.
The important thing is understanding what you're paying extra for.
That's why we like to discuss different options where appropriate.
We want customers to feel comfortable with the investment
Bespoke furniture is an investment in a space.
We want customers to understand why their project costs what it does.
That means being open about the differences between approaches, materials, finishes and levels of detail.
A customer shouldn't feel that they're paying more simply because they don't know what something should cost.
The right solution is the one that works
For us, the goal is not to maximise the size of the quote.
It's to maximise the value of the space for the customer.
Sometimes the best solution is the more elaborate one.
Sometimes it isn't.
