Bespoke Project Policies

Last updated: 15th December 2025

These policies explain how we manage bespoke projects from design through to installation. They’re here to set clear expectations, avoid misunderstandings, and ensure every project runs as smoothly as possible.

How to read our policies

Our Bespoke Project Policies are designed to set clear expectations for how bespoke furniture projects work in practice. They explain how designs are approved, how manufacturing and installation are scheduled, and how changes or site-related issues are managed. These policies exist to protect both you and us, and to ensure your project runs as smoothly as possible. If anything is unclear, we always encourage discussion before moving forward.

Policy one: Bespoke Design, Research & Design Changes

Bespoke design takes time, collaboration and careful planning. This policy explains how we approach design development, how changes are managed, and how bespoke requests can affect both timescales and costs.

1. Bespoke design & feasibility

All furniture produced by Christopher Leslie Bespoke is designed specifically for the client’s space and requirements. Some requests are entirely bespoke and may require additional research, testing, or specialist consideration to ensure the final solution is safe, functional, and built to a high standard.

We reserve the right to decline any design, mechanism, or construction method where we believe it would compromise safety, durability, or performance — even if a similar concept has been seen elsewhere. We will not commission or manufacture solutions that we do not believe are technically sound or suitable for long-term use.

2. Design development process

Design development forms part of the bespoke process and may include concept refinement, material selection, layout adjustments, and technical problem-solving. This process may involve CAD drawings with measurements, visual presentations, or live design amendments during consultations.

A minimum of one on-site visit is carried out for mainland UK projects, allowing clients to view samples in person, ask questions, and discuss their design with an experienced cabinet maker and interior specialist.

3. Client information & third-party items

Where furniture is designed to accommodate specific client-supplied items (including but not limited to televisions, audio systems, safes, appliances or vacuums), it is the client’s responsibility to provide accurate dimensions, specifications, and product information in a timely manner.

Where this information is not provided, Christopher Leslie Bespoke may proceed using industry-standard dimensions. Any alterations required as a result — including remanufacture, additional materials, or additional installation time — will be chargeable.

4. Design changes & impact on programme

Design changes requested after the initial design stage may require updates to working drawings, re-pricing, revised material selections, updated cut lists, and adjustments to production planning.

Changes are processed alongside other live projects and may take several weeks to action depending on complexity, workload and availability. As a result, design changes can affect both project cost and timescales. Any dates previously discussed are indicative only and may change where design amendments are requested. Design changes are not processed on-demand and are scheduled alongside other live projects. Once a design is approved and production payment received, specifications are deemed final for manufacture.

5. Designers & professional collaborators

Where a project is led by an appointed interior designer or architect, Christopher Leslie Bespoke acts as a professional collaborator. Accurate measurements and technical constraints will be provided, but design responsibility remains with the appointed professional unless we are expressly instructed — with consent from all parties — to alter the design.

Designer-led projects are treated as professional partnerships, and we do not intervene in design decisions without authorisation.

6. Design approval

Design approval does not require a formal signed document in all cases. Approval may be confirmed through discussion, email correspondence, or client instruction and is typically finalised prior to production payment. Once a design is approved and production payment received, manufacture will proceed in accordance with the agreed design.

7. Third-party designers & design responsibility

Where a project involves a third-party designer acting as lead, Christopher Leslie Bespoke will not alter designs or specifications without written instruction or consent. Any assistance provided without instruction is advisory only and does not transfer design responsibility.

Policy Two: Site Readiness, Trades & Installation

Installation can only take place when a site is safe, accessible and properly prepared. This policy outlines what we require before attending site, how we work alongside other trades, and what happens if a site is not ready on the agreed date.

1. Site readiness

Before installation can take place, the site must be ready to allow safe and efficient working. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • walls plastered and sufficiently dry

  • floors in place (concrete or subfloor minimum)

  • clear and unobstructed access to the installation area

  • adequate working space

  • a functioning toilet facility

If the site is not ready on arrival, Christopher Leslie Bespoke reserves the right to leave site and reschedule installation.

2. Electrical, plumbing & other trades

Christopher Leslie Bespoke does not undertake electrical or plumbing works requiring qualification or certification, including but not limited to gas works, electrical alterations, or adding new circuits or sockets.

Where furniture relies on services (such as electrical feeds, appliance connections, data points or plumbing provisions), these must be in place and suitable prior to installation unless otherwise agreed in writing.

We are happy to coordinate with trusted trades we regularly work with, or to liaise with the client’s appointed trades, to ensure everyone is aligned on requirements and sequencing. However, responsibility for completing and signing off electrical and plumbing works remains with the appropriately qualified trades.

3. Working alongside multiple trades

We can work alongside other trades where coordination allows safe and efficient progress. However, where:

  • multiple trades are working simultaneously

  • access is restricted

  • working space is compromised

  • or installation is repeatedly delayed due to other trades

we reserve the right to pause works and return at a later date when the site is quieter and installation can proceed efficiently, without unnecessary disruption to ourselves or other trades.

This may result in installation being completed over more than one visit.

4. Flooring, carpets & third-party trade scheduling

We strongly advise clients not to arrange flooring, carpet fitting or other sensitive finishes until after Christopher Leslie Bespoke has confirmed an installation date in writing.

Where clients choose to schedule flooring or other trades in advance of our confirmed installation date, they do so at their own risk. Bespoke manufacture involves specialist processes and installation dates are only confirmed once furniture is complete and ready.

If flooring or carpets are installed prior to our attendance, clients must confirm in advance that they are happy for us to work on and over those finishes, with appropriate protection applied where reasonably possible. While we take care at all times, Christopher Leslie Bespoke cannot accept responsibility for delays caused by third-party scheduling, nor for restrictions imposed by pre-installed flooring.

Any delays, rescheduling, additional time, return visits or abortive visits arising as a result of pre-arranged flooring or third-party trades will be chargeable in accordance with our policies.

5. Goodwill assistance & out-of-scope requests

Christopher Leslie Bespoke always aims to be helpful on site and, where time allows, may occasionally assist with minor, non-contractual tasks as a goodwill gesture.

Any such assistance is entirely discretionary and is not included within the agreed scope of works. It is only considered where:

  • it does not delay the installation programme

  • it does not interfere with contracted works

  • the installer already has the appropriate tools and fixings available

  • it does not involve additional risk, liability, or specialist skills

Installers are not required to carry out additional tasks outside the agreed scope and may politely decline any request at their discretion.

Christopher Leslie Bespoke will not purchase additional tools, materials or fixings, nor extend installation time, to accommodate out-of-scope requests.

Delays arising from discretionary assistance do not alter agreed completion dates, payment terms, or responsibilities under the contract.

6. Abortive visits and additional costs

Where installation cannot proceed, or is significantly delayed, due to site readiness issues, incomplete works, restricted access or third-party trade interference, the client will be liable for costs incurred. These may include:

  • fitter day rates

  • vehicle or van hire

  • reasonable administrative costs

  • lost installation time where alternative work cannot be scheduled at short notice

These costs are chargeable regardless of whether installation proceeds on the day.

7. Installation duration and return visits

Installation timeframes are estimates only. Bespoke furniture is not rushed at the expense of quality.

Installation duration may be affected by:

• site conditions

• walls or floors being out of level

• limited working space

• coordination with other trades

• unforeseen issues identified during installation

Where installation exceeds the estimated duration, a return visit will be arranged as soon as reasonably possible.

8. Levels, tolerances & existing building conditions

Furniture is manufactured and installed to be as level and square as reasonably achievable within site conditions and normal industry tolerances.

Due to the nature of existing buildings, floors, walls and ceilings are not always level, square or plumb. Where surrounding structures are out of level or out of square, furniture may appear visually misaligned despite being correctly installed.

Christopher Leslie Bespoke cannot alter or compensate for structural irregularities in the building fabric. Such visual effects do not constitute a defect in workmanship.

Installation is assessed using appropriate measuring tools and industry-standard tolerances, rather than visual alignment to existing building features.

9. Commitment to completion and quality

Our aim is always to complete your project as efficiently as possible while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship and installation. As final payment is only due once installation is complete, it is in our interests — as well as yours — to finish every project properly.

We will never rush installation or compromise quality simply to meet an artificial deadline. Bespoke furniture is designed to last for years, and we believe it is better to allow the time required to deliver a well-finished result than to complete works hastily and risk long-term issues. Installation may include minor finishing adjustments once furniture has settled. Final payment is due on completion of installation, with any agreed snagging addressed promptly thereafter.

10. Scheduling and availability

“Reasonably possible” return visits or completion dates take into account both the client’s availability and our existing workload, fitter schedules and prior commitments.

We will always aim to complete works promptly, but we cannot guarantee availability to match limited or inflexible client availability where this conflicts with other confirmed projects.

Policy Three: Payments, Production & Scheduling

Bespoke furniture is manufactured specifically for each project and cannot be held in stock or reallocated. This policy explains how payments relate to each stage of the process, how production slots are allocated, and how scheduling is managed for bespoke manufacture and installation.

1. Payment stages and what they secure

Each payment stage corresponds to a specific part of the bespoke process:

  • Deposit (50%)
    Secures your project in our workflow and allows design development to proceed. This covers consultation time, design development, planning, and preparation for manufacture.

  • Production payment (25%)
    Confirms final design approval and allows manufacture to begin. This payment triggers material procurement, cut lists, workshop scheduling and production allocation.

  • Final balance (25%)
    Due on completion of installation. This is payable once furniture has been installed and is substantially complete. Any agreed snagging is addressed promptly thereafter. Final payment is not contingent on third-party works, decoration, or external trades completing their scope.

2. Design approval and production commencement

Following payment of the deposit, clients may request reasonable design refinements while drawings and specifications are being finalised. Any changes requested may affect materials, lead times or cost. Where applicable, revised costs and timescales will be confirmed in writing before proceeding.

Design approval confirms that all specifications, finishes and details are final.

Manufacture does not begin until:

  • the design has been finalised and approved, and

  • the production payment has been received.

Once the production payment is received and manufacture is scheduled, specifications are deemed final for manufacture. Further changes may not be possible and may incur additional costs and revised timescales.

3. Production slots and scheduling

Production slots are allocated based on confirmed design approval and receipt of the production payment. Until this stage is reached, no production slot is reserved.

Bespoke manufacture involves specialist processes, material availability, finishing, curing times, and quality control. As a result, timescales discussed earlier in the process are indicative only and may change.

4. Installation scheduling

Installation dates are only confirmed once manufacture is complete and furniture is ready for installation. Dates are not reserved or guaranteed prior to this stage.

Where installation is delayed due to:

  • design changes

  • site readiness issues

  • third-party trades

  • client availability

  • bespoke manufacturing considerations

installation may be rescheduled in line with workshop completion and fitter availability.

5. Reasonable time for bespoke manufacture

All furniture is made to order for the client’s specific space and requirements. Our goods are not held in stock.

Where no fixed delivery or installation date has been agreed in writing following design sign-off, manufacture and installation will be completed within a reasonable time. For bespoke furniture, a reasonable time takes into account:

  • specialist manufacture and finishing processes

  • curing and drying times

  • material availability

  • quality control

  • third-party suppliers

  • seasonal shutdowns

Delays arising from these factors do not constitute unreasonable delay.

6. Client availability and diary constraints

We aim to schedule installation promptly once furniture is ready. However, installation scheduling must align with both the client’s availability and our existing workload and fitter commitments.

Where client availability is limited or inflexible, installation may be delayed until a mutually suitable date can be agreed. Christopher Leslie Bespoke cannot guarantee availability to match isolated or restricted client availability where this conflicts with other confirmed projects.

7. Non-payment and release of goods

If payment terms are not met, manufacture, delivery or installation may be postponed. Goods will not be released, delivered or installed until all amounts due at the relevant stage have been received.

Legal possession of the goods does not pass to the client until all amounts due under the contract have been paid in full.

8. Installed furniture and payment obligations

Where bespoke furniture is installed and becomes fixed to the property, it may be treated in law as a fixture. This does not release the client from their contractual obligation to pay all sums due under the agreement.

Final payment remains payable in accordance with the agreed payment terms once installation is complete and substantially finished. Any agreed snagging or minor remedial works do not suspend or invalidate the payment obligation.