The honest split
Direct-sourcedCrateworksThermally-broken aluminum | Established brandCB2 | |
|---|---|---|
01Construction | Custom to specification | Standard catalog items |
02Speed | 12-20 weeks custom | In stock or quick-ship |
03Coordination | Multi-category project coordination | Single retail brand catalog |
04Price (full-room equivalent) | Competitive direct-sourced | Mid-tier retail with promotions |
05Customization | Unlimited | Standard catalog only |
Where CB2 wins
CB2 wins on price (mid-tier retail with promotional pricing), on speed (in-stock and quick ship), and on browsing experience (showroom and online). For one-off furniture purchases or quick-ship room outfitting, CB2 is highly competitive.
Where Crateworks wins
Crateworks builds custom furniture and lighting to specification and coordinates multi-category supply for full-room or multi-room projects. For a buyer outfitting one piece, CB2 is faster. For a buyer outfitting a whole room or whole house, direct-sourced custom often delivers better value and consistency.
Common questions
On a single-item retail basis, CB2 is typically cheaper. On a coordinated whole-room or multi-room project, custom direct often competes on value because the per-item cost reflects custom construction without retail markup.
When the project scope is whole-room or larger, when custom dimensions are required, when premium materials are specified, or when multiple non-furniture categories ship from the same source.
Real quote, real number
Compare a real quote.
The honest test is a like-for-like quote. Send your openings and spec, and we will quote it direct so you can put a real number next to any brand.