At Bombora Custom Furniture, all of our solid timber vanities are made to order and can be designed to suit your preferred dimensions, configuration and type of timber. In this blog post, we answer some of our clients most commonly asked questions about the custom order process and solid timber vanities…

The online order form

Once you are ready to proceed with ordering, we will send through an online order form link via email…the order form collects vital information from you about your timber preferences, plumbing / waste hole location, delivery instructions & requires you to confirm that the information on your deposit invoice is correct.

Upon receiving your completed order form & 50% deposit, our head furniture maker will proceed with putting together a vanity design sketch for your approval. We require your approved design sketch at least 5-6 weeks prior to your estimated completion date to ensure that we have all of the components / materials ordered and ready to go.

The order form will require you to confirm:

The exact dimensions of your vanity (height /depth / width). We understand there can be slight changes throughout the building process…we can have estimates of dimensions to start the design drawings, however we will need the confirmed dimensions at least 2 weeks prior to starting production
The colour & thickness of your stone if you have chosen this option for the vanity bench top
Your basin & tap specs
The exact location of the basin & tap…please see the image below for an example of what we require. Generally, bench top cutouts are done on site by your builder / carpenter however we still need the location to allow for the internals to be designed correctly

What is a waste hole location drawing?

In the waste hole location drawing, we find out from you the exact location & diameter of the waste hole. This allows us to create enough space for the waste pipes in the internal structures as well as create the cutouts in the top of your vanity for your basin and / or taps.

You can find the information on the required waste hole diameter in your basin / tap specification documentation. Your plumber will also be able to advise you on the best location for your waste / taps based on your existing plumbing. Below is an example of a drawing.

Do I get a design drawing?

Our head furniture maker Luke Collins will put together a design drawing for your bathroom furniture based on the information you have provided to us on your order form & invoice. We then send the drawings to you for approval prior to starting production.

We don’t have set drawings for each of our portfolio designs as we create each piece to suit your plumbing requirements.

Can I customise the internal structures of my solid timber vanity?

Yes, we can create the internal structures of your solid timber vanity from solid timber or white melamine with either a u-shaped drawer or small cavity design (depending on where your waste is located) to maximise available storage space.

No matter which option you choose, your bespoke vanity will look exactly the same from the outside. As long as you re-apply the Osmo finish every few months to the solid timber structures, both options are just as durable & resistant to humidity / water spills.

What do I need to tell my plumber?

As all of our vanities are made to suit your specifications, there is no standard set out that is required for the plumbing. Your plumber will be able to use the waste location drawing to determine where to rough in the pipes in conjunction with the information from you on the location of your vanity on the wall.

We allow a 150mm clearance around the waste hole location to fit the pipes. This clearance is either a u shaped drawer or a cavity. In the case of a cavity, the dividing section of timber is designed to be removed to make installation of the pipes easier.

At the rear of the drawers we allow an 80mm clearance for pipes and taps.

If your plumber has advised you that these clearences are not sufficient, you can inform us on your order form.

What do I need to tell my tiler?

Ideally, your tiling will not be completed prior to your vanity install. This will allow the tiler to bring the tiles to the top & sides of the vanity, then silicone along the join. Generally, we recommend leaving the wall surface where the vanity is to be attached free of tiling as it can be challenging for your builder to find the studs once there are tiles on the plaster (& drilling through the tiles can crack them!).

If this is not possible, a template of the vanity dimensions can be attached to the wall as seen in the image below.

What if I need to attach my stone top vanity between 3 walls?

If you need to position your floating vanity to three walls, we recommend installing your stone top separately to ensure the correct fit. We can create your vanity without a top & recommend you liaise with a stone mason to measure / attach the stone top once the vanity has been installed as walls are not always straight!

What finish will be applied to my vanity?

All of our solid timber furniture receives an Osmo natural polyx oil & wax matte finish, which provides a nourishing layer of protection. The wax is applied to the surface of the timber & creates a breathable layer that is resistant to moisture / stains. The wax finish not only provides protection to the surface but also allows the timber to adapt to changing moisture levels in the air.

You can read more about Osmo using the link here.

Can I use a fully undermount basin?

Yes, if you plan to use an undermount basin, we recommend a stone vanity top. Moisture can seep in between the area where a timber topped surface meets the basin, which can cause damage over time. Stone provides a worry free, moisture safe, long lasting and easy to clean surface for areas of high use. We can source either a 20mm or 40mm thick stone top from the Stone Ambassador range. You can read more about this product here.

We can configure the vanity to have cupboards instead of drawers located directly underneath (or a fixed panel to achieve a similar look to a drawer).

Can I choose the type of timber for my vanity?

Yes, you can also choose the type of timber and the natural character levels. Here is a link to the most common types of timber we use to create our pieces. We primarily use timber from the local Victorian Eucalyptus species of Messmate to build our furniture. We prefer to use timbers that are hard wearing, have low travel miles & are readily available recycled. When requested, we also use newly harvested timber that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship council (FSC) such as American Oak and Wormy Chestnut.

If you would like to review & approve your timber prior to production, we charge a $200 timber selection fee & the workshop team will contact you directly to arrange a virtual appointment.

You can let us know the amount of natural character you prefer eg. sap lines, gum veins, knots etc. in the online order form. Generally, we categorise feature level by low / medium / high. See examples below…

Please note - The amount of natural character depends on availability…should the timber we have in the workshop not meet your preferred feature level / tone, there may be an additional delay to your project if we need to source additional timber.

Can you send me a timber / stone sample prior to ordering?

Yes, we can send a sample of our recycled / newly harvested timbers as well as stone (if you are planning a stone vanity top). We can also set up a virtual tour of our showroom / workshop for you to view timbers via FaceTime or Zoom.

Do you deliver? If so, Australia wide?

Yes, we freight Australia wide! See basic pricing below (please contact us to organise a custom delivery quote).

Torquay & Surf Coast region $175*

Bellarine Peninsula / Geelong $250*

Melbourne Metro (within 50km of CBD) $350*

Sydney Metro (within 50km of CBD) $600*

*There may be additional charges for extra large / heavy pieces or for properties with difficult access (stairs) of up to $150. You are also welcome to organise the freight yourself.

We prefer to use a local freight forwarder who has a large Australia wide freight network. The delivery timing is out of our control & the freight company will contact you directly regarding the delivery window. You will also receive an email link with the recommended instructions on how to maintain your furniture along with your final balance invoice.

How do I install my floating vanity?

Our vanities come with a solid back panel that needs to be screwed directly into the timber wall studs & we recommend using at least 3 large batten screws per stud. We recommend discussing installation with a registered builder to ensure that necessary support structures are in place to support the weight of your vanity...this could involve adding extra noggins, steel supports etc.

Can you install my solid timber vanity?

As we are a small team based in regional Victoria, we recommend discussing installation with a registered builder / carpenter or plumber.

What is your lead-time?

Our lead-time is approximately 10 weeks (excluding transit time). We will supply you with an estimated completion date along with your deposit invoice. Please note that the completion date supplied is an estimate only.

As we create everything by hand, there can occasionally be unexpected delays. The estimated completion date for production not the delivery.