FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I grew up with my dad doing the odd wood working project, toy chest and a couple of bookcases for use around the house. In October/ November of 2004 I found myself living in New Zealand with my parents waiting on paperwork to come thru immigration, I'd baby sit for cash and started going to the local library to check out books on wood working then off for a cup of coffee and a good read. I spent a lot of time looking thru books and then going into dad's shop and playing around with scrap wood trying my best to make my piece look like the photo. In 2005 I was working as a fleet mechanic in NZ and finally had enough of the trade, I wanted to turn my hobby into a carear. I was doing a lot of wood carving at this point and building the odd small project (box's and the like). I looked for an apprentership while there but no luck and I eventually left NZ in Nov. of 2007. Back in the US, still studying my desired trade in my off time while working as a dish washer at a local deli... again I had enough. I quit my job, went to my motel room and started going thru the phone book the next day calling at least 20 numbers every day until I found some thing. Finally after day 4 a break, I got a job at a commerical cabinet shop as a machine operator. I packed up and moved across town so I could walk to work. It was while working there that I had saved $1,000 USD to either purchase a car or persue my trade. My trade won, I paid $800+ to take a online course for Cabinet/ Furniture maker. I graduated in about 1/2 the average time and did so with a 4.0 GPA.
- What types of customers have you worked with?
Most of my work consist of custom built furniture. I get a contact with an idea and help them refine it into a working design, once done I place my bid and state materials being used (to ensure quality). After that I get a deposite to build the piece and add any decoration that's been discussed, the final payment is usually on delivery. Ocassionally I get contracted out for smaller jobs (usually around the holidays) for pieces that will be gifts, these are usually small pieces carved or turned (lots of fun details).
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
The biggest thing is the cost of materials and how quickly those $10-30 items can add up. For instance a sheet of MDF is around $30-40 and plywood starts at $40-50 (for some thing I can build with). On a large piece I may brun two sheets of material and I need to edgeband it before I can even begin to get into hardware. One set of drawer slides can hit $20 to do one drawer, hinges can get the same way. This is all before I do any work to it, so figure just to get started we maybe out $100+. The second thing is tools, blades and router bits are constantley getting replaced. My table saw set me back over $500, to replace a burnt out router I can be looking at up to $300 or so. Included with tools are things like sanding pads, glue, screws, rent on my shop and the list goes on. These are things I can't do my job with out. Finally the really big one labor, I've intested heavily into my trade and labor is my way of making that back (or even a portion). I have a trade diploma in my field, countless books and research material. When I'm working I'm out in the weather hot during summer and cold during winter, spending time away from family. I've got a wife and newborn son I'm providing for. I work full time at a commerical cabinet shop to keep my family safe and I do side work to keep me ontop of my field and if we (my wife and son) need some thing we can get it.