- Why 30% waste on solid wood?
- Rough-sawn boards need to be jointed, thicknessed, ripped and cross-cut. Between defects, knots, snipe and offcuts, 25–35% loss is normal. Buy PAR (planed all round) to reduce waste but pay 40% more per m³.
- How do I convert m³ to board-feet?
- 1 m³ = 423.78 board-feet (bd ft = 1" × 12" × 12"). US suppliers quote in bd ft; European suppliers in m³ or per linear metre at a given thickness.
- What retail margin is realistic?
- Bespoke furniture makers target 1.8–2.5× shop cost. Below 1.6× you can't cover website, showroom, insurance, tax and the odd repair. Galleries add another 30–50%.
- What does the Custom Furniture Timber & Material Cost Estimator do?
- Timber board-feet or m³, sheet goods, hardware, finish and shop-time for a bespoke furniture build — with margin, retail price and delivery add-on. How-to: enter finished piece dimensions and select solid-wood species + sheet material. We calculate net volume, apply a 30% cutting/waste factor for solid wood, size sheet goods by full-panel equivalents, and add hardware, finish (0.15 L/m² × 2 coats), and shop-hours × rate. Retail = (materials + labour) × margin multiplier + delivery.
- Is the Custom Furniture Timber & Material Cost Estimator free to use?
- Yes. Every calculator on Calcurly.com is free, works in your browser without sign-up, and can be embedded on your own website.
- How accurate is the Custom Furniture Timber & Material Cost Estimator?
- Results are calculated in real time using industry-standard formulas. Treat the output as a well-informed estimate — always cross-check with local regulations, product datasheets, or a qualified woodworking & joinery professional before committing to a purchase or a job.
- What inputs does the Custom Furniture Timber & Material Cost Estimator need?
- Enter values for: Length (mm), Width / depth (mm), Height (mm), Solid wood species, Solid wood content (%), Sheet material for panels. Sensible defaults are pre-filled where possible so you can start with a single change.
- Can I embed the Custom Furniture Timber & Material Cost Estimator on my own website?
- Yes — copy the iframe snippet at the bottom of this page, or use the Embed Generator to customise the size. The embedded version stays in sync with the live calculator on Calcurly.com.
