Furniture restoration near me

Looking for specialists in furniture restoration near you? We can help connect you with top-quality craftspeople in your area.

Find specialists in furniture restoration near me

Whether you're keen to find a restoration expert for sentimental reasons, cost-effectiveness, or environmental benefits, you want to be sure of hiring the best.

We understand the need to find a professional you can trust to restore your family heirloom or vintage find with care and precision.

Thankfully, finding furniture restoration and refinishing experts you can rely on is easy with Checkatrade. Only professionals who pass our checks and meet our high standards get our seal of approval.

Short on time? No problem. Request a quote and let our members contact you.

Furniture restoration and furniture refinishing - what's the difference?

The terms furniture restoration and furniture refinishing are often used interchangeably, but they do refer to different processes.

Furniture restoration

If you're looking for furniture restoration, you'll be looking for an expert who can repair and preserve the item's integrity and value without altering its authenticity.

For example, you may have a piece of antique furniture or a family heirloom that needs repairing and restoring to its original condition.

Furniture refinishing

If searching for furniture refinishing near you, it's more likely you wish to change or enhance the finish of an item of furniture, perhaps to make it suit your interior decor.

The process typically involves stripping the furniture of its current finish, whether that's paint, varnish, etc, and applying a new finish to update its appearance.

What to check before hiring a furniture restoration expert

Whether you need a furniture restoration specialist near you for help with an antique item, upholstered furniture, or a classic Mid-Century piece, there are several things to look for.

1. Experience and expertise

Firstly, check the restoration specialist you're speaking with has extensive experience with your specific type of furniture.

The skills, tools, and techniques required will vary depending on the piece and the intricacy of its design, so don't be afraid to ask.

These questions could help you to gauge whether the furniture restorer is a good fit for your needs:

• What type of furniture do you specialise in restoring?

• How do you ensure the furniture's original integrity and design are maintained?

• What processes and materials do you use for restoration?

A skilled and experienced restorer will delight in being able to explain how they care for the pieces they're entrusted with.

2. Qualifications, accreditations, and memberships

One of the best ways to check a furniture restorer's credentials is to look at their Checkatrade profile. Here, you'll be able to see whether they have any formal training or qualifications in furniture restoration or refinishing.

Similarly, accreditations or membership of industry bodies are a good indication of their commitment to high-quality restoration work. Here's what to look out for:

• The British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association (BAFRA)

• The Guild of Master Craftsmen

• City & Guilds Qualifications in Furniture Making or Restoration

• Heritage Crafts Association

3. Reputation and reviews

Next, reviews and reputation. Do take the time to check customer feedback of the furniture restoration expert you're considering.

From this, you'll be able to ascertain their approach to their work, the quality of the process and finish, and their overall professionalism and customer skills.

If you can't find examples of what you're looking for, ask the restorer if they can provide examples of their completed projects. Remember, someone who takes pride in their work will be more than happy to show you this.

We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.

4. Insurance and guarantees

Something you may not immediately think about, but is vital - especially for valuable items - is insurance.

A trusted furniture restoration specialist will carry appropriate insurance to cover themselves should something go wrong.

For additional peace of mind, all Checkatrade members must have public liability insurance.

It's also worth asking about guarantees. Reputable restorers often provide a guarantee on their work, giving you extra reassurance of their commitment to high-quality standards.

Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*

* Eligibility and T&Cs apply

5. Quotes and contracts

Always get a clear quote from your restoration expert before work begins. This should include the process for restoration, estimated costs, and any additional costs, plus a timeline for completion.

While furniture restoration is often more cost-effective than buying new, be cautious of low prices. Quality restoration or refinishing takes time, precision, and care. If a quote seems surprisingly cheap, it could be an early indication that the work won't meet your expectations.

How do I find experts in furniture restoration near me?

Taking the time to find a reputable furniture restoration expert will ensure your item is beautifully restored, giving you immense satisfaction.

Here are our final three tips for finding the very best in furniture restoration near you:

1. Use a professional directory

Using a trusted platform such as Checkatrade makes it easy to compare several furniture restorers near you in one handy place.

We list all the important details, helping you to check qualifications, credentials, customer reviews, and examples of previous work.

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

2. Check online reviews

Customer reviews are a good place to start to gauge the standards of work and professionalism.

If you can't locate any reviews online, ask to visit the restorer's workshop and view examples of their completed work. A quality restorer will have no issue sharing this and providing the extra reassurance you need.

3. Ask for recommendations

Word of mouth can be invaluable. If you know of friends or family who've had furniture restored or refinished, ask about their experience and whether they'd share any recommendations.

However, don't forget to cross-check any recommendations on Checkatrade to make sure they've been given our seal of approval too.

Ready to find experts in furniture restoration near you? Search your postcode to find experienced and reputable specialists on Checkatrade.