Quote from a carpenter, do people think this is a reasonable quote?

Phate

Phate

Phate

Caporegime
Joined
1 Nov 2003
Posts
35,700
Location
Lisbon, Portugal
Hey guys,

I've had a quote from a carpenter for a custom built TV Stand.

It's made out of pine, 5ft wide, about 2ish foot high and it has 2 draws on it as varnished he's ask for £400

Now to me that seems pretty reasonable, I'll only end up buying something that doesn't fit my needs out of say Oak for around £300 ish anyway.

But I've never dealt with a carpenter before, let alone had a quote from one! Can anyone more knowledgable offer a friendly word of advice before I say yes? :)

Many thanks
Jake
 
That sounds very reasonable if he's building it from scratch. You could always seek a second quote and compare the two. Was he recommended to you or is he some random from the Yellow Pages? I find personal endorsements are far more reliable than pot luck.
 
[FnG]magnolia;22508170 said:
That sounds very reasonable if he's building it from scratch. You could always seek a second quote and compare the two. Was he recommended to you or is he some random from the Yellow Pages? I find personal endorsements are far more reliable than pot luck.
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He was recommended to me, he built a load of cupboards at my Dads gf's place.
 
If you know the tradesman, and think the quotes reasonable it probably is.

Offer him a bit less for cash and book him
 
Pug said:
If you know the tradesman, and think the quotes reasonable it probably is.

Offer him a bit less for cash and book him
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Well I was recommended him, I'm seriously considering it...it's something I'll have for years and years!
 
If it's a proper job, then the money will look like a sound investment a few years down the line when it still looks good and your mate's £300 Ikea stand is falling to bits.
 
robfosters said:
If it's a proper job, then the money will look like a sound investment a few years down the line when it still looks good and your mate's £300 Ikea stand is falling to bits.
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Indeed, plus whenever I move I'll take it with me etc :)

Think I'm going to go for it :) - I just need to decide what colour to stain it!
 
Pug said:
Offer him a bit less for cash and book him
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i wouldn't offer him any less. if anything, pay him a little more if you're pleased with it too, he may even help you position it.

as has been said, this is an investment and you want him to use all his expertise and time (that you're paying for and i'm assuming the price includes the timber and varnish) for the price he has quoted.
 
Price sounds alright. But in pine? Personally id have it in a different wood but I guess that would bump the price up.
 
Derek W said:
Price sounds alright. But in pine? Personally id have it in a different wood but I guess that would bump the price up.
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Oak is considerably more...by considerably...it's out of budget :p

Pine when stained will be fine :) Providing its wood I don't really mind...better than some tacky glass cabinet.
 
how much different will it actually look compared to the hundreds of options you get from the shops? Last one I bought was 70 quid and it works :)
 
swillsy said:
how much different will it actually look compared to the hundreds of options you get from the shops? Last one I bought was 70 quid and it works :)
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Its not that...

My amp is 17cm tall (and its not even a 'big' one) and my centre is the same...most have a gap of 15cm absolute max, and I want the speaker directly beneath the TV (OCD)

To get one that fits or is adjustable, usually means one with glass shelves, which I don't want!!
 
Telescopi said:
Real wood instead of chipboard I'd imagine. Real wood will last forever and looks better.
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Thats not entirely true, real wood will only last looking better until you have children.

Then real wood becomes gouged, biroed, chipped and scratched, just like any other surface
 
finga said:
Thats not entirely true, real wood will only last looking better until you have children.

Then real wood becomes gouged, biroed, chipped and scratched, just like any other surface
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I don't have any kids fortunately :D
 
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