Find a reliable French polisher near me
Search your postcode to find your local Checkatrade-approved tradespeople
If you’re restoring an antique or a piece of wooden furniture, French polishing can help to bring back that gorgeous high-gloss, deep-coloured finish.
It’s quick and easy to find the best French polishers near you on Checkatrade. It requires craftspeople who can offer this traditional technique. And we can show you how to find a French polisher near you, and how much they typically charge.
But first…
What does a French polisher do?
A French polisher is a craftsperson who’s skilled at French polishing and achieving other exact finishes for items of furniture.
French polishing is a traditional technique for finishing wooden furniture and other objects – like staircases and musical instruments.
It involves applying many thin layers of shellac using a rubbing pad known as a fad.
Your French polisher will typically:
Mix your finish
Apply your finish to the fad
Rub the fad over the surface of the item
Lightly sand
Use a colour fad to apply diluted spirit stains (to adjust the colour of the finish)
Use a rubber and polishing oils to achieve a glass-like finish
Apply a variety of further dulling and waxing techniques
French polishing is often part of a larger process of repairing and restoring furniture or other wooden items.
Want to get started finding the best French polisher near you?
Simply enter your postcode into the search box below to browse a selection of top experts in your area.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
Why hire a local French polisher?
If you want the traditional look of French polish, you’ll need to hire a local French polisher.
This is because French polishing is a skill that’s very difficult to master!
Quality
French polishing isn’t half as simple as it sounds. A French polisher near you will have the skills, knowledge and experience needed to create a perfect finish.
Expertise
A local French polisher will have extensive knowledge on finishing furniture. They’ll be able to use their expertise to advise on the right techniques, colour and shine for your particular item.
Save time
Hiring an experienced French polisher will mean that your item is finished to a high standard quickly and efficiently – meaning you’ll be able to enjoy it in your home sooner!
We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.
What to expect from French polishers in your area
Every French polisher will work slightly differently, so it’s always good to check exactly what you can expect from your local services.
However, when you hire a professional for French polishing in your area on Checkatrade, here’s what you can usually look forward to.
1. No obligation quotes
We always recommend getting at least three quotes from French polishers near you.
Use our ‘request a quote’ feature or search your postcode to find reputable professionals in your area.
Our members will scope out your project and offer you a no-obligation quote, so you can make your choice with confidence.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
2. Helpful advice
Your French polisher will lean on their expertise to give you advice and guidance.
In this way, you can be confident that you’re making the right choices and you won’t make any mistakes you’ll regret.
For instance, they’ll use their professional judgment to determine the right finish for your item and the best techniques for your requirements.
3. Adherence to the Checkatrade Standard
All our tradespeople have to pass up to 12 checks and commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard.
As part of this, members agree to six quality commitments:
Deliver a high quality of workmanship
Maintain high standards of personal conduct
Work safely, ethically, and within their skill set
Communicate clearly and honestly
Agree costs and contract terms upfront
Encourage and welcome customer reviews
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
4. Quality workmanship
When you hire a French polisher through Checkatrade, you can confidently expect quality workmanship.
Our trades should never agree to work that they don’t have the skills to carry out to a professional standard.
Rather, you can be confident that they have the skills, knowledge, tools and experience required to carry out the job to the highest standards.
5. The Checkatrade guarantee
We’re so confident in the quality of the trades on Checkatrade that we even offer a guarantee.
Find and book a trade through us and we'll guarantee their work for up to £1,000* (*12 months guarantee – Eligibility and T&Cs apply).
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
How does hiring an expert for French polishing locally work?
So, how does the process of getting an item French polished in your region actually work?
1. Enter your postcode to browse French polishers in your area
Enter your postcode into the box below to browse reputable French polishers near your address.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
Don’t have time? Just use our request a quote feature instead and we’ll send details of your job out to three of our top experts in your area on your behalf.
2. Get in touch
Reach out to local French polishers you like the look of, and ask them for a free quote.
They’ll arrange to visit your property so that they can scope out the work and get an accurate picture of your requirements.
3. Compare quotes
Once you receive quotes from the local French polishers you contacted, it’s time to compare.
Make sure you’re comparing quotes like-for-like, and remember not just to go for the lowest price every time.
4. Choose your favourite local French polisher
Pick out your preferred French polisher and let them know you’d like to go ahead with the work.
They might ask to take a deposit, or they may be happy to take the whole payment after the job is complete. Either way, they should never ask for the full payment upfront.
5. Book the job in!
Finally, all that remains is to book for the work to take place.
Most French polishers will take items of furniture away to work on in their own space, although some projects (like staircases) will require your professional to work in your home.
Your French polisher should give you an estimate for how long they expect the work to take – and will return your item to you looking beautifully restored within that time frame.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
How do I find a reputable French polisher near me?
So, you’ve decided to go ahead with French polishing. Good call!
But you’re probably wondering how to pick the right French polisher near you for the job.
Here are our top tips.
Read reviews
Always check to see what other homeowners have to say about the French polishers in your area.
That way, you can make sure to choose someone that others rate.
Get multiple quotes
It’s best to get at least three quotes for French polishing near you.
This will allow you to get a feel for a range of different professionals. Plus, you’ll be able to check that you’re getting a fair and competitive price for the work.
Ask about insurance
Check that the professionals you’re considering have the right insurance in place. This will give you confidence that you’re protected in case things go wrong.
You’ll be pleased to hear that all our tradespeople must have up-to-date public liability insurance to get listed on the Checkatrade directory.
Get recommendations
Know a friend or family member who’s recently had an item of furniture restored locally? Why not ask if they would recommend the professional they used?
Make sure to cross-reference any recommendations on Checkatrade, so you know they’ve also been checked and vetted by us.
Use Checkatrade!
At Checkatrade, all our tradespeople have to pass up to 12 checks and are regularly reviewed on everything from punctuality to professionalism. So, you know they’re the real deal.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
Your questions answered about French polishing near you
How much do French polishers charge per hour?
French polisher hourly rates are often somewhere in the region of £20 per hour.
However, most French polishers will opt to provide fixed quotes rather than to charge on an hourly basis.
With that in mind, prices can vary widely depending on factors like the project’s scope, the condition of the item of furniture, and the type of wood.
What is the difference between French polish and regular polish?
The term French polish refers to the technique used to apply the finish, rather than the finish itself.
However, compared to other finishes, French polish is known for enhancing a wood’s natural beauty, rather than for its resilience.
It provides a thinner protective layer than more modern finishes. This means it doesn’t provide the same level of protection against wear and tear and may require more maintenance.
How hard is French polishing?
French polishing is an art that’s extremely hard to master.
It requires a lot of time, patience and skill, especially if you want to end up with a quality finish.
Can you do French polishing at home?
Technically yes, you could attempt French polishing at home.
However, you’ll need specific tools and materials – such as shellac flakes and denatured alcohol.
Plus, it will take a lot of practice and trial and error to end up with a passable finish.
Without many months of hands-on polishing practice, you won’t end up with the same quality results as a professional French polisher.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job