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I have an install coming up very similar to what is described above. It will be a bookcase with a shelf span of 1000mm on adjustable pegs (hafele pegs and inserts). Shelves will be 22mm MRMDF medite with a 35mm x 22mm lipping domio'd to the front. I think this should be fine and provide enough...

I often just call the client, ask them a few questions as well as an approx size. I give them an expected cost on the phone and see what they say. I have been very polite and done all of the work before i.e rushing round their home to measure up and produce a CAD drawing with a quote to then be...

I was having a similar experiance a few months back. The trouble with being self employed is you can't bill for every hour you work. They're things you need to do to keep the business ticking over, the next job coming in and everything to stay running smoothly. For months I spent every evening...

They're several themes which are at play with a job. If you're in a situation where you need to support a family, it dictates a large portion of your decision making. If you were to go self employed because you'd prefer a change and fancy doing more workshop based stuff it could be seen as a...

Yeah I know of people doing a similar thing, having the client pay the materials whilst they just invoice labour to keep under the VAT. It's naughty but if they went VAT registered it'd price them out of jobs and would leave them with little work. From what I gained from this, you're basically...

The thing is plus VAT is a killer for the domestic market but it is the cost of doing business. It's standard if you're contracting and in with developers etc. £30 an hour is expected given the amount of experience and investment into the industry. Another thing is, alot of people are leaving...

Some really good responses on this topic once again! - Essentially the larger you go, the more overheads. If you're whipping out kitchens and large wardrobes you'll need the space and potentially some machines i.e if you're edge banding for example. If you're able to stick to using just your van...

Marketing. How much difference is there between a standard non brand blade and a dewalt blade? - other than thickness and amount of teeth? Freud blades are quality and stay sharp for longer than you're fancy blades such as keyblades. I picked up a few trend blades from Toolstation when they...

To be honest, I usually tell the client in the first conversation an estimated cost margin and ask what is their budget for the project. It's upfront but will save you alot of time and energy trying to make up their mind and you'll establish what the client expects given the cost. Also never...

I know what you mean by nipping off to the suppliers etc but they still book a day's pay even if they've had to go to the supplier twice for a part. They always turn up empty handed and end up having to go to the supplier and start around 9/10am ahaha I'm aware of their tricks! I was getting at...

Yeah it seems other trades will do well from it or better than us beavers as they don't have the horrendous down payment of tools to do the job.

This is the thought that re-prompted my initial thoughts about potentially looking at another career path. There seems to be so much you have to deal with a small example being answer the phone to a potential client, running through the options over the phone, sending over an estimate which you...

Yeah that's the only solution i've thought of is to have a premises where it isn't costing you. Why can't we be like IT guys and ask for the full amount of a job what it actually costs plus a little more to keep us warm without being questioned or told by the client. MDF is only £20.00 from B&Q...

We've had some really good responses to the topic. When you start off working for someone from as an apprentice you're under the impression the guy at the top is making loads of money on every job and all the rest of it but the reality is, he isn't and most of the time there isn't massive...

Hi all, I'm going to ask the age old question. Being a carpenter/joiner as a career choice is it more of a passion than profit? I am currently 9/10 years into my carpentry career and I am considering investing into a small workshop/workspace so I am able make my made to measure installs. (For...

I would also ask, draft seals? Usually they're routed into the frame or stops as standard with any new door. It's very rare they're cut into the edge of doors nowadays. if you're refitting doors that don't have them fitted to the door lining or stops would you router some aquamac into the edge...

Hi all, I have a question about weather bars - Do you or don't you, fit them and why? Being a qualified carpenter with just under 10 years experience, I often notice some external doors/front doors are missing weather bars, surely they're essential to prevent the water on the outside face of...

Sometimes you could hang the door on concealed hinges are there will be a massive bow but if it's put back on a bench and led down under its own weight it won't show the bow. It's not until you tip it on it's edge and sight down it will you see the bow, so it makes it very difficult and...

From my experience, 18mm MRMDF is no good for doors as it reacts to changes in moisture so badly and quickly. I have used 18mm MRMDF for doors in the past and would avoid it as not matter if you store them perfectly flat in your shop and take good care of them before arriving to the clients home...

Hi, I have an idea for an install I fitted in my starter/earlier days of planning and making wardrobes, if I were to do it now I would of done alot of things differently! The issue I have is the opening width of my wardrobe is 1270 W x 2255 H which is fairly large and makes for some very wide...