FAQ

Answers about ordering furniture

Here are practical questions about the quote, the design, timeframes, materials, appliances, preparing the room, installation, the warranty and care.

First contact and the design

How does a custom-made kitchen differ from a ready-made one?

A ready-made kitchen is assembled from standard modules in fixed sizes; a custom-made kitchen is designed for a specific room. The difference shows where the room is not standard: in corners, by a window, under a sloped ceiling, in recesses — places where standard modules leave gaps and inaccessible areas. Sizes and contents differ too: mechanisms and internal organisation are chosen to match how you use the kitchen.

What should you send for a preliminary quote?

It is enough to describe the task briefly and attach a floor plan, approximate dimensions or photographs, if you already have them. From this information we clarify the details and prepare an approximate quote.

How quickly do you respond to an enquiry?

We respond to every enquiry within 24 hours. If the task is clear from the description and photographs, an approximate quote arrives together with the reply.

How does work on an order proceed?

First we discuss the task and prepare an approximate quote. Then we agree the layout, and after the advance payment we carry out the measurement and choose the materials. After written confirmation of the technical details, the furniture goes into production, and delivery and installation are then arranged within the scope of the ordered services.

How much does the consultation and measurement cost?

The initial consultation and the preliminary quote are free. The measurement is not a separate line in the estimate — its cost is already included in the price of the kitchen, unlike delivery and installation, which are calculated separately. We carry out the measurement after the advance payment, once the layout has been agreed.

When is the measurement carried out?

The measurement is carried out after the layout has been agreed and the advance payment made, before the furniture goes into production. Before the visit, it is important to report any planned changes to the floor, walls, utilities and appliance positions: they affect the final dimensions of the furniture.

When are the materials chosen?

First we agree the layout and the 3D visual. Then we meet at the showroom to compare colours, textures, countertops and mechanisms in person for the specific design.

Can the order be changed after it has been agreed?

Changes are possible up until the furniture goes into production. Alterations to finishes, utilities, appliances or the layout affect the dimensions, cost and timeframe, so they are agreed in writing — once production has started, the parts are already cut to the approved dimensions.

Do you work with interior designers?

Yes. We work from a finished design project and also take part at the stage where the interior is still being developed. Separate terms of cooperation apply for designers.

How do you fit everything you need into a small kitchen?

In a small kitchen, what matters is not the number of cabinets but the depth, height and way of opening. Narrow modules, cabinets up to the ceiling, pull-out units instead of hinged doors, and corner mechanisms that bring the contents out all work well. We choose appliances in reduced sizes — a 45 cm wide dishwasher, a hob with two to three burners. What exactly will fit is worked out at the measurement, from the actual dimensions of the room.

Cost and timeframes

How much does a custom-made kitchen cost?

A custom-made kitchen starts from €3,000. As a guide by specification level: economy — €3,000–5,000, mid-range — €5,000–10,000, premium — from €10,000. Prices include transport, installation and VAT. The level is set by the fronts, countertop, hardware and internal fittings, and the final total also depends on the size of the kitchen.

What determines the cost of a kitchen?

On the dimensions and configuration, the fronts and countertop chosen, the number of mechanisms, the internal fittings, the appliances, delivery and installation. So an accurate price can only be given for a specific design.

What is our price made up of?

We make the furniture at our own production facility in Tallinn, and there is no intermediary between production and you. The price includes materials, hardware, manufacturing, transport and installation. In the quote, transport and installation are listed as separate lines: this way you can order just the furniture and arrange the delivery and installation yourself.

What is included in the preliminary quote?

The quote shows the approximate cost of the furniture based on the chosen layout and level of materials. The final specification and exact price are fixed after the measurement and once all decisions have been agreed.

Is the 3D visual free?

Yes. The first consultation, the preliminary quote and the 3D visual are free — the visual is prepared before the order is confirmed, so that the layout can be seen and discussed. The working drawings come later, after the measurement, once the order is under way.

What is the manufacturing time?

In quieter periods, manufacturing takes 5–7 weeks; at peak load it can reach up to 12 weeks. The count starts from the advance payment and the written confirmation of the technical details, and the exact deadline is fixed in the contract.

Materials and choice

What are carcasses made from?

For carcasses we use EGGER melamine-faced chipboard. The specific decor and edge banding are chosen for the project; we do not generalise the material's properties to the whole collection without checking the selected item.

How do you choose fronts?

The choice depends on appearance, care, construction and budget. Painted MDF suits a specific colour, decorative milling or a handle in the edge. FENIX is chosen for its matte surface and resistance to fingerprints, and veneer when a natural wood texture matters.

Which front material is the most practical?

For a kitchen used every day, fronts with a dense protective coating are more practical: FENIX and EGGER melamine-faced chipboard. Painted MDF is not afraid of moisture, is easy to clean and gives freedom of colour. Natural veneer is chosen for its texture, and it needs more careful care.

Do fronts fade in the sun?

Melamine-faced chipboard and quality painted MDF resist fading. Unprotected natural wood darkens in direct sunlight — that is a property of the material, not a defect. In our projects we use materials with UV resistance declared by the manufacturer.

Which countertop should you choose?

For intensive cooking, quartz is practical: it does not absorb odours and is easy to clean. Melamine-faced chipboard is the most affordable option with a wide choice of decors. Ceramic withstands high temperatures, natural stone is chosen for its pattern, and thin HPL allows the sink to be mounted under the countertop. The final choice also depends on the construction of the kitchen and the way the sink is mounted.

What's the difference between expensive and cheap hardware?

In lifespan and behaviour in use: top-tier runners and hinges withstand tens of thousands of cycles, move silently and close with a soft-close mechanism. We work with Blum and Häfele.

Technology and Functionality

Do you connect built-in appliances?

Yes, we fit and connect hobs, ovens, dishwashers and refrigerators. Work with water and electricity is carried out by a certified specialist; its scope is agreed separately before installation begins.

Which appliances do you recommend?

For the best balance of price and durability — Bosch, AEG, Electrolux. In the premium segment — Miele and Smeg. Appliances can be ordered through us on partner terms.

Can standard appliances be built in?

Partially. A freestanding refrigerator can be surrounded by furniture, and a cooker placed between cabinets. But built-in appliances give a seamless front and more comfortable ergonomics, so it is better to plan them into the design from the start.

Do you install hidden sockets in the work area?

Yes. We install pop-up and recessed socket blocks into the countertop or cabinets and run concealed wiring for appliances. Electrical work is carried out by a certified electrician.

Delivery, installation and preparation

Where does the installation take place?

Studioköök carries out furniture installation in Estonia. Delivery is possible within Estonia, to European Union countries and to Scandinavia.

Who connects the water and electricity?

The connection of water and electricity is carried out by a certified specialist, and this work is covered by the warranty. It is not automatically included in the furniture installation: the scope is agreed separately before work begins.

How do you prepare the room for installation?

Dusty and wet building work needs to be finished, space cleared for carrying in and assembling, and it should be checked that the utilities remain at the agreed points. A detailed checklist is on the manufacturing page.

What should you do if the kitchen is ready but the renovation is not yet finished?

Finished furniture can be left with us in storage until the room is ready. We agree the installation date to fit your renovation schedule.

Warranty and service

What warranty applies to the furniture?

Studioköök furniture carries a two-year warranty: carcasses, fronts, painted finish, edge banding and assembly work. The warranty applies to furniture installed by Studioköök; if you install the furniture yourself or have the installation done elsewhere, the warranty does not apply. Blum hardware carries the manufacturer's lifetime warranty. Warranty terms for appliances and the work of invited specialists are set by the respective supplier or contractor.

How quickly do you respond to a warranty claim?

We look into the report as soon as it arrives, and resolve most issues within a week. The timeframe depends on whether a part needs replacing and whether it is in stock with the supplier.

What should you do if the hardware breaks after three years?

Contact us: Blum hardware carries the manufacturer's lifetime warranty, and the mechanism is replaced under it. For other components, we will source and fit a replacement.

Can a kitchen be updated after a few years?

Yes. For our existing clients we replace the fronts, countertop and mechanisms on the existing carcasses — this is cheaper than replacing the whole kitchen.

Care and Maintenance

How do you care for the furniture?

For everyday care, a soft damp cloth and a neutral cleaning agent are enough. Abrasives, harsh chemicals and prolonged contact with water are best avoided, especially at joints and edges. Precise recommendations depend on the material chosen and are provided together with the kitchen.

Can you put hot cookware on the countertop?

Ceramic withstands high temperatures without a trivet. Quartz and natural stone tolerate brief contact. Melamine-faced chipboard, HPL and wood must always be protected from hot cookware with a trivet.

What to do if a stain appears on the front?

A fresh stain is removed with a soft damp cloth, a dried one with a mild soap solution. Abrasive sponges and solvents should not be used: they damage the coating itself, and the mark they leave cannot be removed.