One of the first questions we get from new clients — after the design conversation and species discussion — is: how long will this take? It’s a fair question, and it deserves a direct answer rather than the vague “six to eight weeks” non-response you’ll often get from furniture makers who aren’t sure themselves. Lead times for custom hardwood furniture depend on real factors that can be explained, and we’d rather explain them up front than have clients discover the timeline after the deposit is placed.
Table of Contents
- The Stages of a Custom Furniture Project
- Realistic Lead Times by Project Type
- Deposit Structure
- Changes After Production Begins
- Contact Us
At Johor Wood Furniture, we run a production schedule out of our Masai factory that handles everything from single custom dining tables to multi-piece commercial fit-outs. Here is what the timeline actually looks like, and why.
The Stages of a Custom Furniture Project
A custom piece goes through several distinct stages from the moment you place a deposit to the day it’s installed in your space. Understanding these stages helps explain why lead times are what they are — and why rushing any particular stage tends to produce a worse result.
The first stage is timber sourcing and selection. After your deposit is received, we go to our timber suppliers and select the specific slabs, boards, or structural members that will be used in your piece. For standard species we regularly stock — balau, merbau, standard suar — this is usually straightforward and adds minimal time. For specific or premium requests — a very wide chengal slab, a bookmatched suar pair, a specific figure or grain character — sourcing can take one to two weeks as we work through our supplier network to find the right material. This is worth taking the time to do correctly. The timber is 70% of what you’re paying for.
The second stage is drying and acclimatisation. Freshly sourced timber may need further drying time before machining, depending on its current moisture content and the target end-use environment. Interior furniture destined for an air-conditioned space needs to be drier than outdoor pieces. We check moisture content on receipt and will air-dry or kiln-cycle material as needed. This stage can add one to two weeks for timber that requires additional drying.
The third stage is machining and fabrication. This is the primary workshop stage — milling, joining, shaping, assembly. For a single dining table, this typically takes one to two weeks of workshop time. For a larger commission — a matching set of chairs and a table, a feature wall installation, a custom commercial fit-out — fabrication time scales accordingly and may run three to five weeks.
The fourth stage is finishing. Depending on the finish specified — penetrating oil, hard wax, lacquer — finishing adds three to seven days after the final sanding and surface preparation is complete. Some finishes require multiple coats with full curing time between applications. Lacquered finishes on dining tables, for example, typically need three coats with appropriate curing between each. This isn’t a stage that can be compressed without affecting the finish quality.
The fifth stage is delivery and installation. For local deliveries within Johor Bahru, we typically schedule within a week of a piece completing finishing and final inspection. Singapore deliveries are coordinated around transport logistics and may take an additional week. Large structural installations — pergolas, feature walls, house extensions — are scheduled as a separate site visit and may require multiple days of on-site work.
Realistic Lead Times by Project Type
A single solid hardwood dining table — standard size, standard species, straightforward finish — will typically take four to six weeks from deposit to delivery. A large or complex slab table with epoxy fill, custom base, or unusual dimensions may run six to eight weeks. A bedroom set or living room furniture suite involving multiple pieces runs eight to twelve weeks. A structural timber project — pergola, awning, house extension — typically runs six to ten weeks depending on scale and permit requirements. Commercial fit-outs are scoped individually but commonly run ten to sixteen weeks for mid-scale projects.
These timelines assume our workshop is at normal capacity. We communicate clearly if there’s a queue and a specific wait before your project enters production. We don’t promise timelines we can’t keep, and we’d rather tell you the honest lead time upfront than disappoint you at the expected delivery date.
Deposit Structure
Our standard deposit structure is 50% on order confirmation, with the balance due on delivery. The deposit covers timber sourcing and secures your project’s place in the production schedule. We don’t begin timber procurement or schedule workshop time without a deposit in place — this protects both parties, as sourcing good timber involves real upfront cost that we absorb on your behalf.
For large commercial projects, we may structure payment in three stages — deposit, mid-production payment, and balance on delivery — to match the project scale. We’ll specify the payment schedule clearly in your project proposal before you commit.
Changes After Production Begins
Changes to design, dimensions, or specification after timber has been sourced and machining has begun may not be possible, or may incur additional cost, depending on how far the project has progressed. We encourage clients to finalise design decisions before the deposit is placed rather than after — we’re happy to spend time on the design conversation and answer questions before any commitment is made. Once the timber has been cut, options narrow considerably.
Contact Us
If you have a custom furniture project in mind and want to understand the realistic timeline and cost before committing, come and see us at our Masai showroom or send your brief through the website. We’ll give you an honest assessment of lead time, specification options, and pricing. No obligation until you’re ready to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started with a custom order?
The easiest way is to message us on WhatsApp at +60 16-717 9573 with your requirements, reference photos if you have them, and your approximate budget. We will respond promptly with an indicative quote and arrange a consultation if needed.
How long does custom furniture take in Johor Bahru?
Most custom pieces take between two and six weeks depending on the size, the wood selected and how detailed the design is. Simple items such as a coffee table can be quicker, while large dining sets, built-in wardrobes or pieces requiring special timber may take longer. We confirm an estimated timeline as part of your quotation.
Do you deliver outside Johor Bahru?
Yes. While our workshop is in Masai, Johor Bahru, we deliver completed furniture throughout Malaysia and to Singapore. Delivery arrangements and any associated costs are confirmed when you place your order.
Which wood is best for outdoor furniture in Malaysia?
Chengal and Balau are the top choices for outdoor furniture in Malaysia thanks to their density and natural resistance to moisture, rot and insects. Chengal is the most durable and premium option, while Balau offers excellent weather resistance at a slightly lower cost.
Ready to Order in Johor Bahru?
Oriental Allure Design specialises in custom-made hardwood and outdoor furniture in Johor Bahru, crafted from premium Chengal, Balau and other solid woods by skilled local artisans. To discuss your project, request a quotation or arrange to view timber samples, message us on WhatsApp at +60 16-717 9573 or visit our workshop at 1, Jalan Penaga 1, Kawasan Perindustrian Kota Putri, 81750 Masai, Johor. You can also see our latest work on Facebook at facebook.com/oadpro.
Similar Topics
References
- Oriental Allure Design — facebook.com/oadpro
- Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) — mtib.gov.my
Written by KC Chan, founder of Oriental Allure Design — custom hardwood & outdoor furniture craftsmen based in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.