Fireplace Mega Deals

One of the best ways to enhance a special room in your home is to install a beautiful fireplace and even better is to install a custom fireplace mantel. The main benefit of having a custom fireplace mantel built for you is that you can get the fireplace mantel that complements not only your fireplace, but also the overall look and feel of your home. However, before ordering that custom mantel, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

Always do your homework first so that you know precisely what to expect before having a custom fireplace mantel made for you. This doesn’t mean that you can’t be flexible if you don’t find exactly what you want but the key to getting what you want is to have a clear understanding of what you want your fireplace mantel to look like once it is in situ.

You need to find out what kind of wood, stone or marble is available, what accessories can be put with it and exactly what size the finished fireplace will be. The latter is particularly important since something that may look great in a brochure could take up too much floor space and overwhelm your living area. Doing thorough research beforehand will go a long way towards saving you time and money in the long run.

In addition be sure to do plenty of homework on the company who are making your custom fireplace mantel. Look them up on the web, ask for references from previous clients and be wary of anyone who asks for full payment up front. Find out if there are reviews of the company and then read them to see how they’ve done in the past. Even a little digging around can go a long way towards avoiding future disappointment.

Ask whether the company offer a warranty or return policy in the event that the fireplace is damaged in the delivery, the mantel doesn’t fit or, worse still, isn’t exactly what you expected. It is important also to ascertain if the delivery will include installation. If you’re able to install the fireplace mantel yourself, there’s no need to worry, but if you’re not, don’t automatically assume that they will or you may be in for a shock. Find out for certain whether your mantel will be installed and, if not, how much it will cost to have it installed either by the company making your custom fireplace mantel or by another party.

Be sure that the provider of you fireplace mantel has all the information it needs including exact measurements of the fireplace space. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting for the fireplace to be made and spending money on a custom design only to find it doesn’t fit because you weren’t sure how to measure correctly.

If you’re unsure of how to measure for your new fireplace mantel and the directions either on the company’s website or over the phone aren’t clear, ask if they can send somebody out to take the measurements, or recommend somebody to help you get accurate dimensions of your fireplace.
When placing your order, don’t forget to confirm all the key information such as when you can expect your fireplace mantel to be delivered and whether or not it will be installed for you. Don’t be concerned about appearing to be a nuisance, asking a few questions at this stage can save a lot of heartache later.

Before confirming any order ask yourself what type of material you want used and if you opt for a wooden fireplace surround, what kind of wood do you want to have it stained, painted, or left natural to stain or paint yourself? Do you prefer a modern or classic style? Even after considering those options, you have to consider what’s available and what the company constructing your unit is actually capable of creating.

Be absolutely sure of what you want and don’t select a company just because they offer a good price or are local. If they don’t have all or at least most of your preferred options available move on to a company that does. You may have to compromise slightly to get the custom design fireplace mantel but at the end of the day make sure you get what you want, not what the company try to sell you.

Of course it would be fantastic if you could simply order your custom made fireplace one day and have it delivered the next, but if you’re expecting any kind of quality then you have to realise there will be a minimum time frame required to make your perfect fireplace. The company should be able to give you a rough estimate of a date, and many will even give you a firm date but be prepared to have that date moved back as there are always outside circumstances that can affect the actual delivery date.

Also, be aware of how your house will change, even slightly. If the fireplace mantel you’ve designed is small and simple then the change will be minimal, but on the other hand if you’ve chosen a far more grand design, then the entire look and feel of your room can change, including having a smaller amount of living space depending on the size of your room and how far the fireplace mantel will extend out from the wall.

Finally no matter what you elect to go with, picking out a custom fireplace mantel can be an enriching experience so long as you have a reliable company to work with. Therefore to ensure that the whole operation goes smoothly you must do your homework, know what you want and set realistic expectations. Take your time and don’t stress yourself out too much and above all enjoy the process and taking delivery your dream fireplace.