Our Process

Every commission follows roughly the same path, from an initial conversation to a finished piece in your home. The timeline varies (a small side table takes about six weeks; a full set of fitted alcove cupboards might take twelve), but the stages are consistent. This page walks through each one so you know what to expect and when.

Stage 1: The conversation

It starts with an email or a phone call. Most people have a general idea of what they want: "a dining table for six," "bookshelves for the alcove in the living room," "a kitchen island with storage." Some arrive with sketches or Pinterest boards; others have nothing more than a shape in their head. Both are fine.

At this stage I'm listening for a few things:

• What the piece needs to do (seat eight for Christmas, hold 200 books, fit a kitchen with a 3m ceiling)
• What room it's going in and roughly how much space is available
• Any strong preferences on timber, colour, or style
• A rough budget range (this saves everyone time)
• When you need it by

This conversation is free, takes about 20 minutes, and doesn't commit you to anything. Some people email; some prefer the phone. I answer either way, usually within a working day.

Stage 2: The visit

For freestanding furniture (tables, dressers, bookcases), a workshop visit is optional but recommended. You can see the workspace, look at timber samples, feel the difference between a raw oak board and a finished one, and talk through the piece in more detail with the actual materials in front of you.

For fitted joinery (alcove cupboards, built-in shelving, window seats, panelling), a site visit is essential. I need to measure the space, check the walls for level and square (old houses are rarely either), and understand the room in person. There's no charge for the site visit.

Stage 3: Design and quote

After the conversation (and visit, if applicable), I produce a design sketch and a written quote. The sketch is hand-drawn or done in a simple CAD program depending on the complexity. It shows dimensions, joinery details, and the overall proportions of the piece. It's not an architectural rendering; it's a working drawing that tells you exactly what you're getting.

The quote breaks down:

• Materials: Timber species, estimated board footage, hardware (hinges, handles, drawer slides)
• Labour: Estimated workshop hours
• Finishing: The type of finish (hardwax oil, lacquer, paint) and how many coats
• Delivery and installation: Included for local (North West) deliveries; quoted separately for longer distances
• Total price: Fixed, not estimated. The quote is the price unless you change the brief later.

Most quotes are ready within a week of the visit. You're welcome to take as long as you need to think it over, compare with other makers, or discuss it with whoever shares the room.

Stage 4: Deposit and scheduling

If you'd like to go ahead, a 30% deposit secures a slot in the workshop queue. The remaining 70% is due on completion, before delivery. I work on one or two commissions at a time, so there's usually a lead time of 3-6 weeks before the build starts, depending on how busy the queue is.

Once the deposit is paid, I order the timber. Hardwood is sourced from a small number of UK timber merchants I've worked with for years. The wood is kiln-dried to furniture-grade moisture content (typically 8-10%) and selected for grain quality and consistency.

Stage 5: The build

This is the part that happens in the workshop and typically takes 4-8 weeks depending on the piece. The stages within a build:

1. Milling: Rough-sawn boards are planed to thickness, ripped to width, and crosscut to length. This is where the piece starts to take shape from raw timber.
2. Joinery: Mortise-and-tenon, dovetail, tongue-and-groove, or whatever joint the piece requires. I use traditional joinery where it makes sense structurally, and modern methods (biscuits, dominos, pocket screws) where they're more practical.
3. Dry assembly: The piece is assembled without glue to check all the joints fit, the piece is square, and the proportions look right in three dimensions. This is when any adjustments happen.
4. Glue-up: Final assembly with glue and clamps. Once it's glued, there's no going back.
5. Sanding and finishing: Progressive sanding through the grits (80, 120, 180, 240) followed by the chosen finish. Most pieces receive 2-3 coats of hardwax oil with a light sand between coats. This typically takes 3-4 days including drying time.

I'll send a photo or two during the build if you want to follow along. Some clients like seeing the progress; others prefer to see the finished piece for the first time on delivery day.

Stage 6: Delivery and installation

Freestanding furniture is delivered by hand in a furniture blanket. I deliver personally across Lancashire and the North West; it's usually a two-person job with help from a regular delivery partner. The piece is unpacked, positioned, and checked with you on site.

Fitted joinery is installed on site. Installation typically takes half a day to a full day depending on complexity. I bring all tools and materials; I clean up after. The wall behind fitted cabinetry needs to be finished (painted or plastered) before the install day.

Final payment is due on delivery or installation, once you've had a chance to look the piece over and confirm you're happy.

After delivery

Every piece comes with care instructions specific to the timber and finish. Hardwax-oiled surfaces can be refreshed with a maintenance coat every 12-18 months (I'll tell you which product and how to apply it). Small repairs, adjustments, and seasonal movement are part of owning real wood furniture; I'm available for advice and touch-ups after the fact.

If something goes wrong with the joinery or construction within the first two years, I'll fix it at no charge. This hasn't happened yet, but the guarantee is there because it should be.

Ready to start?

The first step is a conversation. Email the workshop at [email protected] with a rough idea of what you're after, and I'll get back to you within a working day.