Will it be good quality?

The short answer

Yes, if three things happen: you hold samples before you order, you sign off a golden sample for every custom item, and an inspector checks the finished order against your drawings before the balance is released.

Skip any one of the three and you are trusting a photo. That is where the bad stories come from.

The proof

Guangdong is where much of the world's cabinetry, tile and sanitaryware is made, including product sold under familiar Australian and European brand names. A factory that exports to Europe and North America already works to drawings, tolerances and test reports.

Quality problems on direct orders cluster in the same places: carcass board grade swapped after the sample, edge tape and hinge brands changed, tile shade and calibre mixed across batches, and finishes that differ from the sample. Every one of these is visible at a pre-shipment inspection.

What Elje does about it

• Samples: door fronts, stone, tiles and a tap from the shortlisted factories in your hands for $149, credited to the Project Plan.
• Verified factories only, shortlisted by code, with at least 3 firm quotes per package in the Project Plan.
• A golden sample signed off for every custom item, with the board grade, hardware brand and finish written on the order.
• Pre-shipment inspection against your drawings, booked through Elje Assured.
• Elje Assured: 2% of the order (minimum $600). The balance sits with a licensed escrow partner and is only released when the inspection passes.

Questions