Questions, answered properly
The useful details before you ask us to build
We would rather be clear about time, money, materials, and limits than make a commission sound easier than it is.
A note from the workshop
Good questions save bad surprises
Every home, stairwell, timber board, and schedule has its own complications. The answers below describe how SAAQAH usually works, not a sales script. If your situation does not fit neatly, send photos and measurements. We will tell you what we can do, what needs checking, and what we would advise against.
How long does a commission take?
Most tables, cabinets, and small groups of pieces take six to twelve weeks from drawing approval and deposit. The range is real: a straightforward side table in timber we already have is not the same job as a long dining table with book-matched boards, a special stain, and a difficult delivery route.
We schedule the work after the design, timber, and finish are agreed. We do not promise an optimistic date and then blame the wood for missing it. If a board needs more rest, a finish needs longer cure, or a detail changes, we tell you while there is still time to make a sensible decision.
Do you deliver outside Cairo?
Yes. Greater Cairo deliveries and installations are normally handled by our own crew because they can assess a tight lift, awkward landing, or final adjustment on site. For Alexandria and other governorates, we arrange a vetted carrier and crate or wrap the piece according to the route.
Outside-Cairo delivery is priced after we know the piece, floor, access, and destination. We share the collection details once the truck leaves El Nozha, but we will not pretend every address can receive a fully assembled 2.6-metre sideboard. Sometimes a detachable base or a different installation plan is the responsible answer.
Can you build from timber I already own?
Sometimes, particularly when the timber has family value or comes from a renovation. First we inspect it for species, moisture, metal, insect damage, cracks, and enough usable length. Reclaimed wood often looks generous until nails, old adhesive, or hidden rot take away half the material.
We can machine and build with sound client timber, but we cannot guarantee it the way we guarantee stock we source and condition ourselves. If we think it will move badly, split, or leave too little material for the intended piece, we will say no. That can be disappointing, but it is better than making a sentimental board fail in a new home.
How should I care for an oiled table or cabinet?
Use a soft, lightly damp cloth, then dry the surface rather than leaving water to sit. Wipe cooking oil, tea, and acidic spills promptly. Do not place hot cookware directly on the top, and do not leave wet cloths, plant pots, or silicone mats in one place for days. Oil is repairable, not invulnerable.
Most oiled pieces appreciate a light maintenance coat once or twice a year, depending on use and sun exposure. We include a care card and can provide the matching product. If the surface feels dry, has a shallow scratch, or loses evenness, send us a photo before trying a supermarket polish. Many repairs are simple, but the wrong cleaner can create more work.
Will you make a copy of a famous designer chair or table?
No. We do not make counterfeits or reproduce a living designer's work with a different label. A screenshot from a major furniture brand is useful for discussing proportion, comfort, material, or what you dislike about the piece, but it is not a build instruction.
We can develop an original response for your room, or work from drawings supplied by your architect when the rights and intent are clear. This takes more conversation than copying a silhouette, but it gives the finished piece a reason to exist beyond pretending to be something else.
Is the showroom really the same place as the workshop?
Yes. Sample chairs, tabletop finishes, and completed pieces are shown within an active atelier on El Saaqah Street. You will hear machines on a weekday, see timber waiting to be used, and probably find sawdust where a conventional showroom would have scented candles.
That is deliberate. You can sit on a chair and then see the joinery that holds it together. Please book ahead so we can make time for your questions and keep you clear of active machinery. Closed-toe shoes are a good idea, and children need to stay with an adult.
What deposit do you take, and when is the balance due?
We normally take a 50% deposit once the scope, drawing, timber, finish, and quotation are approved. It reserves workshop time and allows us to purchase and prepare materials. The remaining balance is due before delivery or installation, unless a written project agreement says otherwise.
Deposits are not a vague booking fee. They are committed to a specific build, which is why changes after approval can affect both price and schedule. If you need to pause a project, contact us early. We will explain what has already been ordered or made and what options remain.
Do you repair furniture you did not make?
We assess repairs case by case. A loose joint, damaged edge, failed drawer runner, or tired oiled surface may be practical to repair. Structural damage, veneers that have failed across a large area, or furniture made from weak composite board can be less predictable and sometimes cost more than a client expects.
Send clear photos of the whole piece, the damage, and the underside if possible. We will not promise an invisible repair from a blurred phone image. If the piece is worth saving, we will give you an honest route; if it is not, we will say so without trying to sell you unnecessary work.
Can you make a standard piece in a custom size?
Usually, but a dimension change is rarely just a number. A longer table needs different support, an unusually shallow cabinet changes drawer proportions, and a chair that is made taller can lose the angle that made it comfortable. We redraw rather than stretch a design until it looks wrong.
Bring room dimensions, skirting depth, window positions, lift size, and a rough route from street to final room. If there is a difficult corner, a simple sketch or video helps. We will flag reach, access, and stability before the piece is in production, not while the delivery team is stuck on the landing.
Where do I park, and what should I bring to a visit?
Street parking around Sheraton Al Matar can be easy or irritating depending on the hour, so call ahead and allow a few extra minutes. Our address is El Saaqah St, Sheraton Al Matar, El Nozha, Cairo 4472111. We recommend booking rather than arriving during a busy machining session.
Bring inspiration images if they help, but also bring measurements, a floor plan, photographs of the approach to the room, and a picture of the existing floor and walls. For a finish discussion, photos of the room in morning and late-afternoon light are particularly valuable. You can reach us on +201023005500 or [email protected] to arrange a time.
A useful answer sometimes means recommending a smaller table, a different finish, or no commission at all.