FAQs

Everything we get asked, answered plainly. If something isn't here, message us on WhatsApp — our assistant replies straight away, day or night, and passes anything it can't answer to us — or email hello@plyconcept.ae.

The material

What is plywood, and why do you only use birch?

Plywood is an engineered board made of thin layers of wood veneer glued together with the grain of each layer rotated 90 degrees to the last. That cross-graining is what gives it its strength — pound for pound it is stronger than steel in static bending. We use birch ply in everything we make, and we can share the specification of the board we use on request.

Do you use any other materials?

No. Every current collection piece is made solely from plywood. That is a deliberate decision, not a limitation — it is what "bringing boutique back to basics" means in practice.

Can you paint a piece a different colour?

We don't cover the birch. No paint, no cladding, no surface applied to hide a cheap construction underneath. What you see is what you get. We finish with a water-based sealer in four shades that enhance the grain rather than conceal it: Natural, Smoke, Sand and Snow.

How should I look after it?

Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Our pieces have a water-based finish, so avoid standing liquid and clean up spills that might stain. Plywood is durable and will age and change gracefully over time. As a natural wood product, differences in grain, finish and colouring occur between pieces — that is the material, not a fault.

Ordering and lead times

Do you hold stock?

No. Everything is made to order in our own workshop. It is part of how we keep waste and logistics impact down, and it is why nothing ever arrives from a warehouse shelf.

How long will my piece take?

Collection pieces usually take 10–14 working days. If you need it sooner, or you are asking about custom work, talk to us — timing depends on the design and the material, and we will always give you a specific date before you commit.

Does it arrive assembled?

Most pieces are delivered pre-assembled by our own team. A few are designed to flat-pack and need minimal assembly with no tools at all — the Ply House, for instance, goes together with no screws or fixings. The product page tells you which is which.

Can you change the size of an existing piece?

Often, yes. A new size means drawing and making the piece just for you, so it's custom work — and custom work starts at AED 5,000. Smaller tweaks are a different story: doors on a sideboard, an extra shelf, different handles or a mix of finishes can usually be done on a collection piece without starting from scratch. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll happily let you know what's possible and what it costs.

Can you make something from scratch?

Yes — and it's some of our favourite work. Roughly half of what leaves the workshop is custom. Send us a photo, a sketch on the back of an envelope, or just the dimensions and what it needs to do. We draw it, price it properly, and only start once you're happy. Custom pieces start at AED 5,000; tell us the brief and we'll come back with a real number.

Delivery

Where do you deliver, and what does it cost?

We deliver across the UAE. Delivery is free in Dubai and Sharjah. For the other emirates there is a flat delivery charge of AED 300, and delivery is free on orders over AED 2,500.

Do you deliver outside the UAE?

Not yet. GCC delivery is something we are working towards — if you are outside the UAE and want a piece, write to us anyway and we will tell you honestly where we have got to.

Payment, prices and VAT

How can I pay?

Card payment at checkout, instalments with Tabby, or bank transfer for larger custom projects. For commissioned work we usually take a deposit to begin and the balance before delivery.

Do your prices include VAT?

Yes. Prices shown on the site are in AED and include UAE VAT at 5% — the price you see is the price you pay. Your invoice shows the VAT as a separate line.

Can I have a tax invoice?

Yes. Every order gets a proper UAE tax invoice showing our TRN, the VAT charged and the amounts in AED. If you are VAT-registered and need your own TRN on the invoice, send it to us with your order.

Warranty and returns

Is there a warranty?

Yes — one year from the date of purchase, subject to inspection. If something is wrong with a piece we made, we want to know and we will put it right.

What if I change my mind?

Because everything is made to order, returns work differently from a warehouse retailer. Our refund policy sets out the detail; the short version is: talk to us early and we will do what we sensibly can.

Visiting, trade and everything else

Do you have a showroom?

No showroom — we are a working joinery in Dubai rather than a shop floor, and most people find us online. If you would like to see pieces being made, message us and we will arrange a time to visit the workshop with Viara or Adam. We don't take drop-ins.

Do you work with interior designers, nurseries and businesses?

Regularly. We have made for nurseries, retail projects, styling studios and corporate gifting — including plywood awards and trophies in volume. Tell us the brief and the deadline and we will tell you straight away whether we can do it.

Who actually makes this?

A husband-and-wife team and a workshop of skilled carpenters in Dubai. Viara designs, Adam runs production, and the pieces are made by people whose names you can know. One tree is planted through One Tree Planted for every board of birch ply we use.

How do I get hold of you?

WhatsApp is the quickest. Our assistant picks up straight away, day or night — it knows the pieces, sizes, prices and delivery, and can set up your order with you. Anything that needs a person comes straight to us, and we'll take it from there. Or drop us a line at hello@plyconcept.ae.