BusyKiwi FAQ

Here are some of the most common questions and answers.

General Q&A

How do we contact you?

The fastest way is via Facebook Messenger on my Busykiwi facebook page or use our enquiry form.

I don't list my phone number as being in the workshop with earmuffs and working with noisy machines, I don't often hear it. Plus the dust and phones don't mix too well.
I'd rather be a little slower at answering a message than missing a call or text.

How do we order a Mud Kitchen / Buiders Bench / Display Stand etc ?

Get in touch with us via the Busykiwi facebook page (the fastest) or via the enquiry form and we'll either give you the bank details or send an invoice via MYOB (we just need your name and email).
With the need to match bank name and number remember ours will always be "D & C Partnership".

Where are you based?

We are based in Dinsdale, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Can you deliver?

I can sometimes deliver locally for a little extra. We have found a carrier who will deliver outside - or even inside - Hamilton for a reasonable price. The price depends on the area you live in, and delivery is to your door.

Are you a business?

Yes, our business name is: D & C Partnership.

Are you GST registered?

No, we aren't.

Can you send me an invoice?

Yes we can, via MYOB.

Do you require a deposit?

A deposit or payment in full secures your order and gets you in the queue for building. Once that's sorted, we'll look forward to getting your order underway.

Can I pay it off?

Yes. You're welcome to pay it off, we just ask it be paid in full before collection or delivery.

What if I paid a deposit but no longer want it?

If the mud kitchen is a custom-made design, the deposit may not be refundable.
If it's a standard version that can be resold, you may be entitled to a refund. If you're unsure, just get in touch and we can talk it through.

Mud Kitchens Q&A

Are the Mud Kitchens hand built?

Yes. Every mud kitchen is hand built rather than mass-produced or supplied as a flat pack.
They're built as a complete unit, with the different parts working together to give the kitchen its strength and make it ready for plenty of outdoor play.

Is the wood treated?

Yes. They're made from treated H3.2 timber and built for a lifetime of outdoor use.

Are they built to last?

Yep. They're made from treated H3.2 timber and built with strength and everyday outdoor play in mind. They're made to cope with being used, climbed around, splashed and covered in mud - which is pretty much what they're there for.

What height are the Mud Kitchens?

The standard bench height is 600mm.
We can make them taller or shorter if needed, but generally we prefer to let younger children grow into them rather than make them too low. A small step is often all that's needed while they're growing.

What can the kids use in a mud kitchen?

Pretty much anything that gets their imagination going!
Water, dirt, mud, sand, pebbles, leaves, flowers, sticks and whatever other garden treasures they can find can all become part of the fun. They're great for messy play, sensory play, water play, hands-on activities and interactive outdoor fun.
Just keep in mind that some clays and natural materials can stain timber, clothing or other surfaces.

Can I hose the mud kitchen down?

Absolutely. Once the latest mud masterpiece is finished and everything is covered in muck, give it a hose down and it's ready for the next adventure.

Do they come with utensils?

Yes. The Mud Kitchens come with all the utensils shown in the photos.

Why don't you use full-size stainless steel bench tops?

Stainless steel can get extremely hot in the sun and can also reflect sunlight. We don't want little hands getting burnt or children being exposed to reflected sunlight that can contribute to sunburn.

Why don't you cover the oven door?

We leave the front of the oven open for a good reason. Kids have been known to put small animals inside.
With a cover over the front, an animal could be hidden from view or have difficulty getting back out. Leaving it open means you can see what's going on.

Can they be painted, stained or oiled?

Yes. They can be oiled, stained or painted to suit.
We had one customer whose daughter was mad about Barney, so they painted her mud kitchen purple with green spots. The following year she was into The Wiggles, so out came the paint again and it got stripes.
That's part of the fun - you can get the kids involved and change it up as they grow.
Depending on the finish and how much use and weather the kitchen gets, it may need to be redone from time to time.

Do you do them in a flat pack?

No. We've thought about it, but each mud kitchen contains more than 100 screws in three different lengths.
They're hand built as a complete unit, with everything working together to give the kitchen its strength. It's a lot more involved than simply putting a few pieces together.

Can you make it shorter?

Yes, we can, but we try not to.
We'd rather have a child grow into their mud kitchen than grow out of it. For younger children, a small step is often all that's needed.

Do you make custom sizes?

Yes. We can customise Mud Kitchens to suit your space, your kids or what you have in mind.
Get in touch via our Facebook page to talk through what you're after.

Display Stand Q&A

Are they handmade?

Yes. Each display stand is handmade from recycled timber.
Because recycled wood has already had a life of its own, every stand is a little different. You may find the odd knot, nail hole or other mark in the timber - all part of the character of recycled wood.

What are they suitable for?

They're designed for the sort of things you'd normally want to get up off the table and on display at a market stall.
They're great for jars and tins of fruit, jams and preserves, honey, jewellery, precious stones, mugs and cups, small soft toys, crafts, collectables and all those little nick-nacks.
They're also handy around the home, in pantries, offices, toy rooms, trophy rooms or anywhere that could do with a bit more display space.

How much weight can they hold?

They're designed for the sort of things you'd normally have on a market stall - jars and tins of fruit, jams and preserves, honey, jewellery, crafts, mugs, small toys and other similar products.
We don't give a set weight limit because it depends on the size and type of stand, and how the weight is spread across it. If you're planning to display something particularly heavy, just get in touch and we can let you know whether the stand is suitable.

Are they sturdy?

Yep! They're plenty sturdy enough for most of the things you'd normally put on a market stall.
You may notice there's a little movement or "give" in the joins. That's intentional. The stands aren't designed to be completely rigid - the slight movement allows them to absorb the knocks and bumps that come with setting up, packing down and transporting them, rather than putting all that force through rigid joints.
So if yours has a little bit of movement, that's normal. It's part of how they're designed to work.

Are the stands flat pack?

Yes. They simply slide together and apart, with no complicated assembly.
That makes them quick to set up, easy to transport to and from markets, and just as easy to pack away when you're finished.

Can I use them at outdoor markets?

Absolutely. That's what they're made for.
They're handy for getting your products up where people can see them, and once the market is over they can be taken apart and packed away.
They're not designed to be left outside permanently, though, so we recommend storing them somewhere dry between uses.

Is the wood treated?

No. The stands are made from recycled timber and don't need to be treated for their intended use.
They're perfectly happy being used at outdoor markets, but they're not designed to live outside permanently or be exposed to the weather for long periods.

Do you make custom lengths and widths?

We can, depending on the size and design. There's a point where a stand needs extra support to stay strong and practical, so not every size is possible.
If you have something specific in mind, flick us a message and we can see what we can do.

Can they be painted or stained?

Yep. They can be painted or stained if you want them to fit in with a particular display or colour scheme.
You can also leave the timber as it is and let the recycled wood do its thing.

Planter Q&A

Is the wood treated?

Yes, it is all treated H3.2, made for outdoors.

Does the planter need to be lined?

While the planter is treated, it's meant to be heat treated, not chemically treated. I've used them for years and had no side effects from using them.

Side note: if you do line them, be sure to add plenty of drainage holes.

Can I grow vegetables or fruit in them?

You can grow just about anything in them. Some things, like potatoes, you should use a deeper planter or garden.

Do I need to add drain holes?

No, they have plenty of drainage.