How our bathroom vanities are supplied: what's included and what your installer needs to know

When you order a custom bathroom vanity from Retrograde Furniture, you're getting a fully finished timber cabinet, ready for your installer to position and connect. Add a timber, solid surface, or integrated basin top from us, or supply your own. See our vanity range for current options. Unlike off-the-shelf vanities, our made-to-order approach also requires some coordination between you, your installer and our workshop.

Here's exactly what's included, what's not, and what your installer needs to know before installation day.

What's included with your bathroom vanity

Your custom bathroom vanity arrives with:

• Timber cabinet to your specified dimensions
• If there are drawers, internal drawer cut-outs to accommodate plumbing, as specified by you
• All timber components fully finished and ready to install
• Optional pre-drilled holes solid surface or timber tops supplied by us (available on request for $80 per cut)

If you've added a timber, solid surface, or integrated basin top to your order, it's supplied uncut unless you've specified drilled holes (see below). If you're supplying your own top, your cabinet arrives ready for it. See "Can you supply just the cabinet?" below.

The vanity cabinet is supplied square, sealed and ready for installation. Where a top has been ordered through us, or supplied separately, it's supplied loose and requires fixing on site by your installer.

What's not included

You'll need to arrange separately:

• Basins, tapware, wastes and plumbing fixtures
• Installation of the bench top top
• Final drilling of basin or tapware holes (unless previously specified)
• Plumber and bathroom installer

Per the normal process, here are some commonly asked questions

Why aren't basin holes pre-drilled?

In most cases, final drilling of basin and tapware holes happens on site by your bathroom installer or plumber after the vanity is positioned.

This standard industry practice allows:

• Final positioning confirmed after waterproofing is complete
• Alignment with wall set-out and actual plumbing locations
• Flexibility if you change basin or tapware selection last minute
• Adjustment for site-specific conditions discovered during installation

Can you pre-drill the holes for me?

Yes, if you prefer certainty over flexibility.

We offer pre-drilling of basin and tapware holes only on our supplied bench tops for $80 per cut, based on final client-approved specifications and detailed drawings. Let us know if you'd like us to include this in your project scope. 

If you would like us to pre-drill, please supply:

• Exact basin model and dimensions (including underside clearances)
• Exact tapware model and spindle spacing
• Confirmation that wall set-out is finalised and waterproofing complete
• Confirmation that your installer has confirmed hole positions in writing

🚨 Once drilled, hole positions cannot be altered. If your basin or tapware changes, or site conditions require adjustment, you'll need a replacement top.

What your installer needs to know

Plumbing accommodation:

• Drawer cut-outs provided per approved drawings
• Installer to verify plumbing clearances match actual site conditions
• Any variations from drawings may require on-site modification

Cabinet specifications:

• Vanity cabinets are supplied finished, sealed, and ready for installation
• Internal drawers have been modified for plumbing clearance per approved drawings
• Timber is fully finished - no sanding or sealing required on site

On-site prep & installation:

• Bench tops supplied loose, require fixing on site
• Installer to fix bench top to timber cabinet using appropriate methods (typically silicone bedding)
• Unless otherwise arranged, installer completes all final drilling of bench tops
• Hole positions to be marked and confirmed before drilling
• All drilling, fixing and commissioning per manufacturer and trade standards

Why we don't prescribe installation methods

Installation conditions vary significantly between sites:

• Stud spacing and wall construction differs
• Floor levels vary (especially in older homes)
• Plumbing positions shift based on actual site conditions
• Different installers have preferred fixing methods

We supply the vanity square, level and ready to install. Your qualified bathroom installer determines appropriate fixing methods based on your specific site conditions and their professional standards.

This approach ensures your vanity is installed correctly for your bathroom, not according to generic instructions that may not suit your situation.

Common questions about custom bathroom vanity supply

I'm in Melbourne, can I pick up the vanity instead of delivery?

Yes, you can collect from our Mordialloc workshop. We recommend bringing appropriate vehicle and protection like thick moving blankets. Bench tops and mirrors are heavy and fragile - secure transport is essential. Read more about our pickup and delivery options here →

What if my plumbing doesn't match the drawings?

Minor variations can usually be accommodated by your installer on site. Significant changes may require drawer modifications - contact us as soon as you find out and we can make the necessary adjustments.

Do you install bathroom vanities?

No, installation must be completed by your qualified bathroom installer. Your local bathroom renovator or plumber can recommend installers.

What happens if the bench top is damaged during installation?

Bench tops are the customer's responsibility once delivered. Your installer should have the appropriate insurances in place to protect your project in case anything happens.

Can you supply just the cabinet without a bench top?

Yes, in fact this is now how our made-to-order vanities are supplied by default. Every made-to-order vanity on our site is listed as a cabinet only. Add a timber, solid surface, or integrated basin top from us at checkout, or leave it off and arrange your own through a stonemason or fabricator. No quote or enquiry needed unless you're after a custom size.

Ready to order your custom bathroom vanity?

A bathroom renovation with on of our custom timber vanities require a little coordination between us, yourself and your installer - but the result is a solidly made cabinetry designed specifically for your bathroom in your chosen timber species.

Let's get started

Visit our Melbourne showroom at 48 De Havilland Rd, Mordialloc to see timber samples and construction quality, or contact us with specifications. Get in touch →

All timber vanities handcrafted in our Melbourne workshop from sustainably sourced Australian hardwoods, backed by our 10-year structural warranty.