Teesside joinery FAQs
The questions Teesside homeowners actually ask before commissioning made-to-measure work: what it costs, how long it takes, which timber to choose and where the rules apply.
Straight answers on bespoke and fitted joinery across Teesside. If your question is not covered, get in touch.
Costs & quotes
How much does joinery cost in Teesside?
In 2026: bespoke staircases £2,000 to £6,000 fitted, fitted wardrobes £1,500 to £4,000 a wall, kitchen cabinetry £3,000 to £10,000, doors £300 to £800 each fitted, and second fix trim from £300 a room.
Is the quote really free?
Yes. The job gets measured, the price comes back in writing, and you decide in your own time. No charge and no pressure.
Why do two quotes for the same room differ so much?
Usually timber and finish. Paint-grade MDF, tulipwood and oak are three very different material bills, and a spray-finished piece costs more than one supplied primed. Ask both quotes to name the material and the finish.
Do I pay a deposit?
Made-to-measure work normally carries a deposit, because timber is bought and workshop time is booked for your job specifically. Get the stage payments written into the quote.
Timescales & process
How long does bespoke joinery take?
A site measure first, then workshop time measured in weeks rather than days, then the fitting itself. Staircases and kitchens take longest; door hanging and trim work are quicker.
Do I need to empty the room?
Clear the working wall at minimum, and empty the room entirely if anything is being spray finished on site. Dust travels, so doorways get sealed on bigger jobs.
Can work be done in stages?
Yes, and it is common. Wardrobes in the main bedroom first, then the alcove units, then the panelling. Say so at the quote stage and the design can be planned to match.
Who fits it, the person who made it?
On bespoke work usually yes, because the scribing on site is part of the same piece of work as the machining in the workshop.
Materials & finish
Which timber should I choose?
Paint-grade MDF is stable and cost-effective for built-in pieces. Redwood and tulipwood suit painted mouldings and trim. Oak and ash are for work you want to see the grain in, and they cost more to buy and to machine.
What is the difference between spray finished and painted on site?
Spray finishing in a workshop gives a harder, more even surface with no brush marks. On-site painting is cheaper and easier to touch up later. Both are legitimate, so check which one your quote includes.
Will new joinery match my existing skirting and doors?
Profiles can be matched or machined specially, which is the main reason to use a joiner in an older house. Bring a short offcut of the original if you have one.
Is MDF a cheap shortcut?
Not in built-in work. It stays flat, takes paint beautifully and does not move with the seasons the way solid timber can. Solid timber earns its place where the grain is on show.
Rules & practicalities
Do new stairs have to meet building regulations?
Yes. Part K covers rise, going, headroom and guarding, and a replacement flight still has to comply. Loft conversion stairs also carry fire escape requirements.
Do I need permission for internal joinery?
Not usually for wardrobes, trim or furniture. Listed buildings and conservation areas are the exception, where altering original fabric can need consent.
What about fire doors?
Loft conversions, flats and some shared houses need FD30 door sets on certain openings, with intumescent strips, smoke seals and correct gapping.
Do you take the old material away?
Ask, because it varies. Removing an old staircase, kitchen or wardrobe run creates real waste volume, and a good quote says who is disposing of it.