Build a custom table.

Custom table building in the UK typically costs £500–£3,000+ for a bespoke piece, depending on size, materials, and design complexity. A simple oak dining table for 6 runs £600-£1,200; designer-quality tables (live-edge slabs, complex joinery, premium hardwoods) reach £2,000-£5,000+. The work spans carpentry, joinery, and finishing — usually one tradesperson covering all three.

Custom tables are most often commissioned for: dining rooms (sized to specific spaces), kitchens (matching cabinetry), garden tables (specialist outdoor), or as feature pieces (live-edge slabs, hairpin legs, mixed-material designs).

Typical UK custom table costs

Common materials and what they cost

• Pine — affordable softwood, prone to dents. £15-£30 per board foot.
• Oak — UK staple hardwood, durable, beautiful grain. £40-£90 per board foot.
• Walnut — premium dark hardwood, characterful grain. £80-£180 per board foot.
• Ash — light hardwood, good for contemporary designs. £40-£80 per board foot.
• Iroko / teak — outdoor-grade hardwoods. £80-£150 per board foot.
• Live-edge slabs (oak, elm, walnut) — single-piece slab with natural edge. £400-£2,000+ per slab depending on size and species.
• Reclaimed timber — recycled from old buildings; character and patina. £40-£150 per board foot.

Common table styles

• Refectory / farmhouse — traditional UK dining table, plank top, trestle or turned legs. Suits country and period homes.
• Live-edge slab — single piece of timber with natural unsawn edges. Contemporary, characterful.
• Hairpin leg + hardwood top — mid-century / contemporary mix. Versatile.
• Pedestal — single central support; round or oval tops. Classic and modern variations.
• Trestle — two end supports with stretcher. Strong, traditional.
• Industrial — steel frame + reclaimed timber top. Loft / barn conversion aesthetic.
• Custom shapes — oval, round, square, mid-century tapered. Any shape achievable with bespoke commission.

What to expect from the commissioning process

1. Initial consultation — your space, intended use, design preferences, budget.
2. Design proposal — sketch or 3D render. Material specification, dimensions, finish.
3. Quote — itemised with timber cost, joinery work, finishing, delivery.
4. Deposit — typically 30-50% to commit and order materials.
5. Build — typically 4-12 weeks depending on workshop schedule.
6. Finishing — oil, wax, lacquer, or stain selected and applied.
7. Delivery — usually included for local areas; longer-distance delivery £80-£300.
8. Settling — solid timber needs 1-2 weeks acclimatising in your home before final adjustments.

Things people often miss

• Wood movement — solid timber expands and contracts with humidity. Quality maker accounts for this with sliding fixings, breadboard ends, or floating tops.
• Finish choice matters — oil finishes show grain best but need re-application; lacquer is more protective but obscures texture; wax sits between. Discuss with the maker.
• Underfloor heating — solid timber tables on heated floors can crack. Discuss base design (legs vs pedestal) and finish to mitigate.
• Doorway dimensions — large tables may not fit through standard 76 cm doorways assembled. Most makers design for delivery (knock-down construction or hardware-assembled in place).
• Provenance — UK-sourced timber (FSC oak, English walnut) often more sustainable than imported equivalents. Worth asking.
• Care instructions — quality makers provide finish-specific care: which products to use, what to avoid, how often to re-oil. Follow them.

Frequently asked questions

Want a local pro to handle this? A bespoke furniture maker or carpenter handles custom table commissions properly. Worth viewing their portfolio in person and discussing materials, joinery, and finish before committing — quality varies considerably even among experienced makers.