Why does handmade furniture cost more than IKEA? A guide to craftsmanship, quality and pricing

When you step into the big furniture stores like IKEA or Mio, you are often met with price tags that feel impossible to match for a local carpenter. But have you ever stopped and thought about what you are actually paying for www.alberi.se/collections/mobler-i-masssivt-tra and what you are missing out on?

At Alberi we often get asked how we price our furniture and why a handmade product in solid wood has a higher price than a mass-produced equivalent. In this post we delve into the everyday life of a carpenter, the importance of materials and why a custom-made piece of furniture is an investment for life.

The difference between mass production and genuine craftsmanship

The material: Particleboard vs. Solid hardwood

Most furniture from the big chains is made of particleboard with a thin layer of veneer or plastic film on top. They are designed to be cheap to transport and assemble, but they have a limited lifespan. If a particleboard piece of furniture gets damaged in the surface, it is often impossible to repair it neatly.

At Alberi, we work exclusively with solid wood and precious woods such as walnut, oak, teak and more exotic varieties such as Purpleheart and Padauk. A piece of solid wood furniture lives with you. It can be sanded, oiled and repaired. It ages with dignity and acquires a beautiful patina that only genuine natural materials can give.

Customization: Standard Measurements vs. Custom Made

When you shop at Mio or IKEA, your home has to adapt to the furniture. At Alberi, we turn the process around. We offer custom-made solutions where you determine the dimensions so that the furniture fits perfectly in your hallway, bedroom or living room. We create unique coffee tables, bedside tables and our popular furniture completely according to your wishes.

How does a carpenter price his work?

Pricing handmade furniture is about so much more than just the cost of materials. Here are the factors that build up the price of an Alberi product:

1. Wood sorting: We go out to local wood suppliers ourselves and hand-pick each plank to ensure that the grain and quality are perfect for your particular piece of furniture.

2. Time and precision: Every detail – from precision milling with CNC technology to hand-sanding edges – takes time. A lamp or table can take days or weeks to complete.

3. Drying and stability: Before gluing a piece of furniture together, we often do a "dry assembly" where the wood is allowed to rest in our workshop in Kallebäck. We do this to see how the living material moves, so that we can guarantee a piece of furniture that will not warp over time.

4. Sustainable machines and premises: Running a carpentry shop requires advanced machines, tools and an environment where craftsmanship can take place.

Why choose a custom-made piece of furniture from Alberi?

Buying a piece of furniture from us is not just a purchase – it is an order for a work of art. Here are three reasons why our customers choose us:

• Real durability: A piece of solid wood furniture from Alberi can be passed down for generations. It's the opposite of "wear and tear".

• Unique design: You get something that no one else has. Our combination of graphic design, CNC carpentry and traditional craftsmanship creates a unique expression.

• Local production in Gothenburg: By choosing a local carpenter in Kallebäck, you support genuine craftsmanship and reduce the environmental impact of long transports.

Invest in your home

The next time you compare a coffee table from one of the big chains with a handmade solid walnut table from Alberi, think about the longevity. The more expensive option is often the cheapest in the long run, as you never have to replace it.

Are you ready to make your furniture dream come true? Visit us at www.alberi.se to see our range of unique lamps, epoxy cutting boards and handmade furniture. We are happy to help you with custom solutions that will take your home to the next level.