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Bespoke Kitchens
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Our Work
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How We Work
At Proficiency, the process is as paramount as the finished creation. We have perfected a workflow designed to inspire and empower our clients at every stage. The result is an exquisite, wholly bespoke Proficiency commission — a space where your vision is transformed into reality with meticulous craftsmanship and enduring elegance.
A bespoke joinery project involves a lot of decisions — about design, materials, finishes, timing, and budget. Our job is to make that process as straightforward as possible.
Below is how a typical project runs, from first conversation to final handover. In practice, each stage is shaped around the project and the client. But this gives you a clear sense of what to expect and when.
Below is how a typical project runs, from first conversation to final handover. In practice, each stage is shaped around the project and the client. But this gives you a clear sense of what to expect and when.
1. Brief & Budget
The first conversation is always a listen. We want to understand the project — what you need, what you've got in mind, what you've seen that you like, and what budget you're working to.
This initial discussion typically happens over the phone or on a Zoom call. It doesn't need to be exhaustive at this stage: a rough sense of the project scope, your space, and your timeline is enough to get started. If you have photos of the room, existing drawings, or any inspiration images, do share them — they're useful, but not essential.
This initial discussion typically happens over the phone or on a Zoom call. It doesn't need to be exhaustive at this stage: a rough sense of the project scope, your space, and your timeline is enough to get started. If you have photos of the room, existing drawings, or any inspiration images, do share them — they're useful, but not essential.
2. Concept Design & Costing
From your brief we produce initial design sketches — elevations, 3D visualisations, or hand drawings depending on the project. These are working documents: they show the design direction and allow us to price against a defined scope, so you know what you're committing to before you commit to anything.
If you'd like to proceed, we'll request a deposit at this stage — either a working deposit to begin the detailed design phase, or a full deposit if the design is already well-defined. We'll be clear about which applies to your project.
If you'd like to proceed, we'll request a deposit at this stage — either a working deposit to begin the detailed design phase, or a full deposit if the design is already well-defined. We'll be clear about which applies to your project.
3. Technical Design
Once the deposit is received, we move into the detailed design stage. This is where the real work happens — refining layouts, resolving any structural or spatial constraints, finalising finishes, and producing the technical drawings we'll manufacture from.
You'll be involved throughout. Decisions about handles, paint colours, internal fittings, and material specifications are made collaboratively at this stage, not unilaterally by us. The more considered the decisions here, the better the result.
You'll be involved throughout. Decisions about handles, paint colours, internal fittings, and material specifications are made collaboratively at this stage, not unilaterally by us. The more considered the decisions here, the better the result.
4. Production
With the design signed off, your project moves into the workshop. Our cabinetmakers work to the technical drawings produced in Stage 3 — cutting, assembling, and finishing each piece to order.
Before anything leaves the workshop, we do a full dry-fit: every element is assembled and checked in the workshop to verify that dimensions, alignments, and finishes are exactly right. This step takes time but it's why installations go smoothly.
You're welcome to visit the workshop during production. It's a good opportunity to see your joinery taking shape and to confirm any finish decisions in the actual material, under workshop light.
Before anything leaves the workshop, we do a full dry-fit: every element is assembled and checked in the workshop to verify that dimensions, alignments, and finishes are exactly right. This step takes time but it's why installations go smoothly.
You're welcome to visit the workshop during production. It's a good opportunity to see your joinery taking shape and to confirm any finish decisions in the actual material, under workshop light.
5. Installation
Our own installation team handles every project — not subcontractors. They know the joinery because they've often been involved since the workshop stage, and they work to the same tolerances as the makers.
Installation timescales vary by project. We'll give you a realistic programme before we start and let you know as early as possible if anything changes. We aim to leave your home as we found it, minus the old furniture and with something considerably better in its place.
Installation timescales vary by project. We'll give you a realistic programme before we start and let you know as early as possible if anything changes. We aim to leave your home as we found it, minus the old furniture and with something considerably better in its place.
6. Handover
Before we hand over, our installations manager walks the project with you and produces a snagging list of anything that needs attention. We address every item before we consider the project complete.
If you're working with an interior designer or architect, we liaise with them directly at this stage to ensure the installation meets their specification as well as yours.
If you're working with an interior designer or architect, we liaise with them directly at this stage to ensure the installation meets their specification as well as yours.
7. Aftercare
All our joinery comes with a manufacturer's guarantee. For kitchens, we provide a full Operation & Maintenance manual covering care of finishes, mechanisms, and appliances — and we return for a complimentary six-month check to adjust anything that needs it after the first season of use (doors and drawers can move slightly as a new home settles into its heating patterns).
For other joinery projects, we remain available if anything needs attention. We stand behind our work.
For other joinery projects, we remain available if anything needs attention. We stand behind our work.
Come and See the Workshop
We actively encourage clients to visit. You'll see how the joinery is made, handle finishes at full scale, and meet the people building your project. It's a much more useful conversation than looking at small samples on a desk.
A wider range of material samples is available at the workshop than at our West Hampstead showroom. If you're making significant finish decisions, visiting the workshop is worth the trip.
Call us on 020 8076 0194 to arrange a visit.
We actively encourage clients to visit. You'll see how the joinery is made, handle finishes at full scale, and meet the people building your project. It's a much more useful conversation than looking at small samples on a desk.
A wider range of material samples is available at the workshop than at our West Hampstead showroom. If you're making significant finish decisions, visiting the workshop is worth the trip.
Call us on 020 8076 0194 to arrange a visit.
If you have a project in mind and want to know more about how we can help, please contact us to arrange a consultation.