just like Joe before I`m also a cabinet maker and I know that any shelves I`ve installed haven`t bend over the years due to the weight of books and I`ve never had any doors fall off any unit I`ve made. Proper craftsmen build things to last, we take pride in our work, we do things properly and our work is judged with time. If you had a professional craftsman put your alcoves in in the first place you probably wouldn`t need to have bought a new book case.Dublin6, thats sounds like an outrageous quote. I had this exact job done about 14 years ago - quite cheaply at the time. It was OK, but one of the doors has come adrift now and some of the shelves have warped with the weight of the books over the years. I am now going to get an Edwardian antique bookcase which I saw recently, it's very big, very beautiful, very sturdy and has passed the test of time. It is also going to cost less than what your carpenter has quoted.
It would seem to me that you were charged too much for too little when you paid for your alcove to be done 14 years ago.Yes, SLF 'proper craftsmen build things to last', which is exactly why I am buying an Edwardian bookcase. Nowadays, 'Professional craftsmen' in my opinion just charge too much for too little.
Ophelia, I agree that 200 year old furniture is exceptionally well made... but in relative terms it may have been very very expensive when it was made and totally out of reach of the average person... it may have cost 2 months of the average wage at the time. Very few people will pay 4,000 for a piece of furniture nowadays... I believe your bookcase may have 100's of hours work invested in it.. who will pay for that to be reproduced nowadays?
It's really down to free choice, isn't it. Antique dealers have to make a living too SLF.
I am a member of the National Guild of Master Craftsmen.
I`ve worked with wood all my life.
Started my apprenticeship back in 1983. I don`t make or restore furniture anymore because there`s no money in it any more which is a real pity. Instead I restore old sash windows which is a little known part of my trade. I`ll PM you my site if you like.
What is National Guild of Master Craftsmen? What recognised credentials do they have and what criteria is used for selecting members?
The bar councilWhat is National Guild of Master Craftsmen? What recognised credentials do they have and what criteria is used for selecting members?
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