From Idea to
Finished Piece
Every Barabas Woodshop project follows a clear process — from the first conversation to the finished piece. Here is what to expect when you commission a custom wood furniture project with us.
Custom project timelines depend on design complexity, material availability, current workload, and project size. We will give you an honest timeline estimate during your consultation.
Tell Us About Your Project
Reach out by phone, email, or through our quote form. Tell us what you have in mind — the type of piece, where it will live, how it will be used, and any ideas or inspiration you have. There are no bad ideas at this stage.
You can share photos, sketches, links, or just describe it in words. We will ask questions to make sure we understand the full picture before any work begins.
Start Your Project →
Discuss Dimensions & Intended Use
We talk through the specific dimensions your project requires — length, width, height, thickness — and how the piece will be used day to day. A dining table used by a family of six has different requirements than a display console in an office lobby.
If you are not sure about dimensions, we can help you think through what will work best for your space.
Choose Design Direction
Style, edge profile, leg style, base design, and overall aesthetic. We discuss the look and feel of the piece — modern and minimal, live edge and organic, farmhouse and substantial, or something else entirely.
We will talk through options that work well for your intended wood species and use case.
Select Wood & Material Options
We discuss wood species, grain character, and color tone. For live-edge projects, we talk through slab selection. Wood species and slab availability vary by project and current material availability.
We work with black walnut, white oak, hard maple, cherry, ash, hickory, and other hardwoods depending on availability.
Receive Project Quote
We prepare a detailed quote based on the project specifications we have discussed — wood species, dimensions, design details, and finish. The quote will be clear and itemized.
Custom furniture pricing depends on material costs, dimensions, design complexity, and labor. We do not have hidden fees.
Approve the Project
Once you are satisfied with the quote and project details, we confirm the project and discuss any deposit requirements and scheduling.
We will confirm the expected timeline at this stage based on our current workload and material lead times.
Fabrication
We build your piece in our Covington, Kentucky workshop. Milling, joinery, assembly — every step handled with care and attention to the specifications we agreed on.
For live-edge projects, this includes slab flattening, sanding, and prep before assembly.
Sanding & Finishing
Surface preparation and finish application. We sand through progressive grits to achieve a smooth, consistent surface, then apply the finish appropriate for the piece — oil, wax, or hard-coat depending on the project.
Finish appearance — matte, satin, or semi-gloss — is applied as specified in your project.
Final Review
Before the piece leaves the shop, we review it against the original specifications — dimensions, finish, design details. We want to be confident the piece is right before it goes to you.
If anything is not as agreed, we address it at this stage.
Pickup or Delivery Arrangements
We discuss pickup or delivery logistics based on your project and location. Contact us to discuss delivery options for your specific project.
We are located at 400 W 3rd St, Covington, KY 41011. Pickup is available by arrangement.
Common Questions
Project timelines vary depending on design complexity, material availability, current workload, and project size. We will give you an honest timeline estimate during your consultation. Contact us early in your planning process so we can discuss scheduling.
No. You can reach out with just a general idea — a type of piece, a rough size, a style you like — and we will work through the details together. Many great projects start with "I need a dining table that seats eight" and develop from there.
Minor clarifications can sometimes be accommodated early in fabrication. Significant changes after project approval may affect pricing and timeline. We recommend finalizing all details before approving the project to avoid complications.
Deposit requirements are discussed and agreed upon at project approval. Contact us to discuss deposit and payment terms for your specific project.
Delivery logistics depend on the project and location. Contact us to discuss delivery options for your specific piece and location.
We are happy to discuss progress updates during fabrication. Contact us to talk through what communication and check-ins make sense for your project.
Ready to Build Something?
Every Barabas Woodshop project starts with a conversation. Tell us what you have in mind — dimensions, wood species, style — and we'll put together a detailed quote for your custom piece.
Covington, KY · (517) 617-9240 · jacob.hostetter@thebarabas.com