Scottish Carpentry

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Custom bars, mantels, wine cellars, shelving, closets, and other fine carpentry projects in which the homeowner wants the very best quality workmanship. We have yet to turn a customer away because the design was too complex. We pride ourselves on being able to please every customer, every time!

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Taking the lowest bid can be a costly proposition. When someone does not have the skill and ability necessary to do the job properly, the cost multiplies for additional material, repairs to the work and sometimes secondary damage such as mold, water damage, or even structural issues!

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Here is America, most people in my profession never had formal training. They watch others and learn as they go. The unfortunate downfall to this is that despite how smart they are and how well they learn, they are often learning improper methods which can lead to less-than-stellar finished appearances and worse yet, secondary damage to the structure.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Everything! Our master carpenter served a five year professional apprenticeship before embarking upon his now 18 year profession. His knowledge, skills, and talent surpass any available in the area and yet, Scottish Carpentry offers competitive rates for superior services.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Making people's dream homes become a reality and seeing the look on a satisfied customer's face when they see their project complete.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. How much will it cost to...? Yes, there are some flat priced jobs which are easy to quote immediately. But for more involved work, rarely will there be enough information in any e-mail or phone communication to give you an accurate bid. I offer free estimates and will provide my pricing in writing. This is the only way to ensure a correct answer.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. A homeowner called panicked over her 1940s widows which were going to cost hundreds to repair because nobody knew how to fix the original windows. I was able to see the client the next day.Three hours later, the windows we good as new.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I am an apprentice-trained carpenter who completed a 5 year formal apprenticeship and have now been a carpenter for 18 years. I did not just learn from watching other untrained "contractors". I know the math, science, physics, and craftsmanship which make every project one which will withstand the test of time.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. From childhood, I was always interested in building, aesthetics of design, and architecture. I like working with my hands and was offered advanced placement within my schooling and apprenticeship due to my skill. It was a very natural choice.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. We had a client that wanted a custom fireplace mantel which resembled a very expensive designer one, but was designed to open to service the fire. Not only did they save money and get exactly what they wanted, but they were elated-- which always makes us, in turn, elated!

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I always stay informed on the newest products and materials in the field, but find that the traditional ways I learned in my 5 years of formal training will not fail me. There are buildings still standing where I am from that date back to the 1400s. I was taught to build with that tradition.