What Happens When You Hire a Carpenter, Joiner or Cabinet-maker?
If you’re planning to get some bespoke woodwork made for your home, read on to find out what’s involved
Amanda Pollard
5 March 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
For a home that functions well and looks beautifully finished, it’s often worth investing in some custom-made woodwork. But if you’re unsure about the process – and don’t know whether to hire a carpenter, joiner or cabinet-maker – check out this expert guide to get you started.
Professional advice from: Florent Chevreuil of Ecosse Bespoke Carpentry; Ian Watkinson of Watkinson Joinery; James Read of JackJames Furniture
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Professional advice from: Florent Chevreuil of Ecosse Bespoke Carpentry; Ian Watkinson of Watkinson Joinery; James Read of JackJames Furniture
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
What’s the difference between a carpenter and a joiner?
It can be quite tricky to differentiate between the two. “These professions seem to be really confused in people’s minds,” Florent Chevreuil says. “It’s part of the reason I’ve kept both terms, ‘carpentry’ and ‘joinery’, in my company name.”
Ian Watkinson agrees it’s ok to be confused between the two, as there isn’t always a distinction. “I’d say the terms joiner and carpenter are interchangeable,” he says.
James Read, however, defines the two as follows: “A carpenter works exclusively on site. They would be covering first and second fix, so putting up walls and roofs, then installing joinery.
“A joiner is based in the workshop constructing joinery – doors, windows and anything technical that needs the controlled environment of the workshop to be built in.”
Find reviews of renovation professionals in your neighbourhood.
It can be quite tricky to differentiate between the two. “These professions seem to be really confused in people’s minds,” Florent Chevreuil says. “It’s part of the reason I’ve kept both terms, ‘carpentry’ and ‘joinery’, in my company name.”
Ian Watkinson agrees it’s ok to be confused between the two, as there isn’t always a distinction. “I’d say the terms joiner and carpenter are interchangeable,” he says.
James Read, however, defines the two as follows: “A carpenter works exclusively on site. They would be covering first and second fix, so putting up walls and roofs, then installing joinery.
“A joiner is based in the workshop constructing joinery – doors, windows and anything technical that needs the controlled environment of the workshop to be built in.”
Find reviews of renovation professionals in your neighbourhood.
How is a cabinet-maker different to a joiner or carpenter?
While there’s often a crossover between a joiner and a carpenter, our experts highlight a clear distinction between these two professions and cabinet-making.
“A cabinet-maker designs and builds furniture,” James says. “Traditionally, this would have been entirely in solid timber, but the market now dictates more fitted panel projects as well.”
Florent adds, “The cabinet-maker traditionally makes freestanding pieces of furniture, and could work on projects such as chairs, stools, benches, tables, desks, wardrobes, French dressers, chests of drawers, lecterns, beds or even tall case clocks.
“Nowadays, the cabinet-maker also makes fitted furniture, such as wardrobes and kitchens, which gets them confused with the joiner,” he says.
Ian defines the difference by saying, “A cabinet-maker could do the joinery stuff, but a basic joiner might not be able to do cabinet-making.”
While there’s often a crossover between a joiner and a carpenter, our experts highlight a clear distinction between these two professions and cabinet-making.
“A cabinet-maker designs and builds furniture,” James says. “Traditionally, this would have been entirely in solid timber, but the market now dictates more fitted panel projects as well.”
Florent adds, “The cabinet-maker traditionally makes freestanding pieces of furniture, and could work on projects such as chairs, stools, benches, tables, desks, wardrobes, French dressers, chests of drawers, lecterns, beds or even tall case clocks.
“Nowadays, the cabinet-maker also makes fitted furniture, such as wardrobes and kitchens, which gets them confused with the joiner,” he says.
Ian defines the difference by saying, “A cabinet-maker could do the joinery stuff, but a basic joiner might not be able to do cabinet-making.”
How do you find the right person for your job?
When searching for a woodworking specialist, James advises, “I would begin by looking for someone who produces work I’m attracted to aesthetically and also meets the level of finish I require from my project. So [they should have] a strong portfolio of work and good reviews.”
Ian agrees, and says, “Take a look at images of previous jobs to get an idea of the workmanship of the professional.”
Florent adds, “It’s always better to get a feel for the person you might be hiring. I’m always pleased to show a customer around the workshop. They generally find it interesting to see the raw material, know how we make things, and see the work in progress.”
Ian concurs. “Find out how the person comes across and whether they know what they’re talking about. Can they actually do the job and get around any issues?”
When searching for a woodworking specialist, James advises, “I would begin by looking for someone who produces work I’m attracted to aesthetically and also meets the level of finish I require from my project. So [they should have] a strong portfolio of work and good reviews.”
Ian agrees, and says, “Take a look at images of previous jobs to get an idea of the workmanship of the professional.”
Florent adds, “It’s always better to get a feel for the person you might be hiring. I’m always pleased to show a customer around the workshop. They generally find it interesting to see the raw material, know how we make things, and see the work in progress.”
Ian concurs. “Find out how the person comes across and whether they know what they’re talking about. Can they actually do the job and get around any issues?”
How much should I expect to pay?
Bespoke woodwork isn’t a budget option. “We make quality bespoke products, so it’s not going to be flatpack pricing,” James explains.
“It’s something to invest in, and most people understand that,” Ian agrees. “I’d always suggest waiting and spending a little more. Do a bit at a time rather than be disappointed by something of lesser quality.”
When it comes to quotations, check exactly what you’re getting for your money. “If you get several quotes from different companies, it’s good to read between the lines in order to compare prices like-for-like,” Florent says.
“Ask questions if you’re not clear about something. A professional should always make sure the customer understands what they’re getting for the price quoted,” he says.
Get inspiration with these bespoke storage ideas.
Bespoke woodwork isn’t a budget option. “We make quality bespoke products, so it’s not going to be flatpack pricing,” James explains.
“It’s something to invest in, and most people understand that,” Ian agrees. “I’d always suggest waiting and spending a little more. Do a bit at a time rather than be disappointed by something of lesser quality.”
When it comes to quotations, check exactly what you’re getting for your money. “If you get several quotes from different companies, it’s good to read between the lines in order to compare prices like-for-like,” Florent says.
“Ask questions if you’re not clear about something. A professional should always make sure the customer understands what they’re getting for the price quoted,” he says.
Get inspiration with these bespoke storage ideas.
How do you get the most from your woodworking professional?
When it comes to getting what you want from your project, communication is vital.
“I think there should be a special relationship between the customer and the craftsman, so the company understands exactly what the client needs and what their design wishes are,” Florent says. “Some customers might have a fairly good idea of what they want, while others will need a bit more guidance.“
Ian explains his process: “I ask first what style they’re after. If they send over images of what they like, we can get a better idea and this makes our life much easier. “
When it comes to getting what you want from your project, communication is vital.
“I think there should be a special relationship between the customer and the craftsman, so the company understands exactly what the client needs and what their design wishes are,” Florent says. “Some customers might have a fairly good idea of what they want, while others will need a bit more guidance.“
Ian explains his process: “I ask first what style they’re after. If they send over images of what they like, we can get a better idea and this makes our life much easier. “
What makes a good woodworker?
“To my mind, a good cabinet-maker is one who has a strong aesthetic agenda, but who is also interested in creating a design dialogue with the client,” James says. “Creating furniture that works for the client must involve them in order for them to feel they have ownership of the piece.
“A bad cabinet-maker would be someone who railroads their clients into an unsuitable design solution,” he says, “so they end up with furniture that either doesn’t work for them in terms of practicality, or something they don’t like the look of.”
“How it’s finished is the key,” Ian adds. “If you get what you wanted and you’re happy with it, that’s enough. Also look at how they treat your house – do they leave it tidy and look after it?”
Tell us…
Have you hired a joiner or cabinet-maker for a project in your home? Share your photos and experiences in the Comments.
“To my mind, a good cabinet-maker is one who has a strong aesthetic agenda, but who is also interested in creating a design dialogue with the client,” James says. “Creating furniture that works for the client must involve them in order for them to feel they have ownership of the piece.
“A bad cabinet-maker would be someone who railroads their clients into an unsuitable design solution,” he says, “so they end up with furniture that either doesn’t work for them in terms of practicality, or something they don’t like the look of.”
“How it’s finished is the key,” Ian adds. “If you get what you wanted and you’re happy with it, that’s enough. Also look at how they treat your house – do they leave it tidy and look after it?”
Tell us…
Have you hired a joiner or cabinet-maker for a project in your home? Share your photos and experiences in the Comments.
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regardless of who you appoint - a design is 'essential' getting the purpose, size, specs/finishes & style etc planned is the priority. it will also work with or be part of an overall room/scheme. so should not be considered a stand alone element. ensure drawings & specs are approved so expectations & budgets are met
Walk Interior, thank you for this point re having a written, detailed design. This surely forms part of the contract between craftsman and customer, but doesn't seem to have been mentioned in the article.
Also missing in the article is a description of the design process. If you're splashing the cash on bespoke storage you want lots of discussion and advice at an early stage on the internal configuration of your storage. An example would be lower and higher-tech options of drawer hinge mechanisms.
I have just had a library wall created to turn a room into a traditional study. I didn’t check the hinges in the design phase and ended up with kitchen style hinges... stops it feeling like a piece of furniture. My advice would be to see and list all hardware to be used, and, check skirting finishes at the design phase, sometimes drawings and even computer driven drawings show you configurations, but not hone in on the absolute finer details. I do love what we created but I have learnt lessons for the future. Lesson learnt: never presume!