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Difference between first fixing & second fixing

In the construction industry, ‘first fix’ and ‘second fix’ carpentry is related to the building of both houses and commercial buildings. The first fixing is composed of all the work done to take a building from its foundation to the point of plastering the walls. The second fix is then all of the work after the plastering. Continue reading “Difference between first fixing & second fixing”

The Perfect Finish: Why You Shouldn’t Confuse Varnish and Lacquer

While it’s not uncommon for the terms varnish and lacquer to be used interchangeably, the truth is that they’re quite distinct. This something that any good carpenter will tell you. These professionals have a working relationship with both, so they know exactly when to use them and how to maximise their value.

When searching for high quality carpentry services in Stowmarket, it’s important to be clear about what you want. Whether you’re building a new staircase, restoring antique furniture, or erecting wooden support structures, try to give your carpenter as much information as possible. That way, they can pick materials and finishes which enhance and refine.

Keep reading to learn about the differences between lacquer and wood and some of their common applications.

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The Best of Both Worlds: 4 Ways Interior Designers Are Bringing Soft and Hard Wood Together

We can all agree that there’s something rather exquisite about wood. In fact, almost every home in the country contains a wood feature of some kind, whether it’s an antique cabinet, a dining room floor, or a quirky kitchen island. Fortunately for homeowners in Stowmarket, the standard of carpentry here is very high. This means that it is relatively easy to commission ‘one off’ bespoke pieces.

You might, for example, invest in carpentry services because you want to build a new staircase or restore an old one. Local carpenters build furniture from scratch and some even work on the foundations of houses, though you’ve got to make sure you hire the right kind of contractor for this. At the moment, interior designers are going crazy for the combination of soft and hard woods, which is something that you could try in your own home.

Keep reading to find out how designers are mixing and matching wood varieties to create striking interior spaces.

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Why Professional Property Maintenance Means Fewer Tenant Complaints

Becoming a full-time real estate developer is a dream for many people. If you have a passion for transforming properties, becoming an owner many times over is likely to be an appealing prospect. Yet, whether you own three homes or thirty, the responsibilities are the same. Landlords are tasked with providing their tenants with a whole range of facilities, and it is not an easy feat.

This is why many choose to invest in professional property maintenance in Suffolk. With a team of handymen, gardeners, plumbers, electricians, and cleaners at their disposal, there’s no job too big or small. From broken porch lights to blocked toilets, cracked windows, and faulty locks; whenever a need arises in one of your properties, it can be handled within hours.

Keep reading to find out why outsourcing property maintenance leads to happier tenants.

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The Modern Wood Staircase and What You Need to Build One

For many Suffolk homeowners, the picture of a dream house includes things like a beautiful garden, a spacious kitchen, and an exquisite, hand crafted staircase. All come at a price, but the good news is that the cost of carpentry services is much smaller now than it was a decade ago. There is also a broader variety of providers and independent contractors.

If you want to build a wooden staircase from scratch, you need to find an excellent carpentry provider in the Suffolk area. While it is not impossible to DIY the job and go it alone, it actually happens to be one of the toughest projects that you can undertake. Therefore, the help of a specialist company is highly recommended. Not only do registered carpenters have the right skills, they can also make sure that your staircase adheres to local building codes.

This guide to the basics of a custom wooden stair design will give you some insight into the construction process.

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What Is Property Maintenance and Why Do You Need It?

While most landlords would prefer to oversee all of their properties personally, the nature of running a real estate business makes this impossible. If you own more than one building, you are going to need help taking care of it, because each represents a vast network of tasks and responsibilities.

It is why property maintenance in Stowmarket is essential for anybody who cares about their investments. These comprehensive services cover all manual and technical tasks; from woodwork to gardening, plumbing, window cleaning, electrical wiring, and more. As the landlord, all you have to do is let the team know what to prioritise.

Keep reading to find out more about ‘all in one’ property maintenance services and why they are a good idea for your rental buildings.

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What Kind of Carpenter Should You Hire?

It is easy to forget just how broad a discipline carpentry can be. These expert craftsmen operate across many different industries and construction sectors. They deal with everything from civil projects to small scale domestic work and restorations. As a result, skilled carpenters in Ipswich are in high demand.

If you need to hire one for a home renovation or commercial project, the first step is working out exactly what your needs are. Once you are clear on what kind of work is required, you can pick a carpenter with the right skills. As there are, broadly speaking, five different types of carpentry professional, it is really important to find the most suitable.

This guide to types of carpentry and picking a great carpenter will help you make the right choice and get your project off the ground quickly.

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The 5 Step Guide to Finding a Great Carpenter

While there are lots of maintenance, installation, and repair jobs which can be carried out independently, carpentry is something that most homeowners need help with. In fact, unless you have experience with handling and shaping wood, it is best to get the experts in. It can be a very precise and complex process, but high-quality carpentry really is a thing of beauty.

If this is your first time hiring a carpenter in Stowmarket, you probably have a lot of questions. It can be a little confusing at first, knowing what to look for and which services to prioritise, but a good provider will be happy to talk you through the basics. This is the key to great carpentry. You need to work with a company that provides excellent customer service and is willing to give tailor the job to meet your needs.

This guide to finding the best carpenter in Stowmarket will help put you on the right track.

Word of Mouth is Valuable

Ideally, your carpentry provider should be locally based. This is a service which really benefits from the personal touch. Smaller companies tend to produce the best work because they have the time and knowledge needed to get deeply invested in the project. So, if you are looking for a carpenter, don’t be afraid to ask around. Word of mouth feedback is highly valuable and can lead to wonderful partnerships.

See a Portfolio

All good carpenters will keep a portfolio of their best work. While no two jobs are exactly the same, looking at previous craftsmanship is one way to know if they are right for you. For instance, you don’t necessarily want a carpenter who specialises in cabinets to restore an antique staircase (and vice versa). Some experts have a broad range of talents, but if your job requires a very specific type of skill, do make this clear in your search.

Enquire About Experience

It is true that experienced doesn’t always determine the level of skill. However, it is another useful indicator of quality, because carpentry is a discipline which requires time and patience. You will find that experts with the most years under their belt are usually the most sought after. It is really up to you to decide how you want to balance this; whether you’re happy waiting longer for a more popular craftsman or whether you’re willing to take a chance on somebody else.

Request a Sketch

It is common for customers to request a rough sketch or draft of a proposal. This doesn’t have to be very detailed, but it should make it clear whether your chosen carpenter understands the job. If you’re discussing the project in person, it is okay to ask for an immediate sketch. If you are talking on the phone, either ask for a rough plan to be emailed to you or arrange to meet the carpenter in person for further discussions.

Get a Quotation

The final step is to ask for a cost estimate. Now, there should be a small degree of flexibility here. It can be very difficult to make accurate estimates of custom projects. So, while the quote that you get should be reasonable and practical, it may be that small changes are required. Generally, you can expect to pay the quoted price unless the carpenter has given you a fair explanation as to why it has been altered.

Visit Ligna Carpentry today. Or, call 01449 770 005 to speak to a representative and request a cost estimate for your project.

 

Getting to Grips with the Basics of Bespoke Joinery

The term ‘bespoke’ is one that originated in the tailoring industry. It was first used to refer to the creation of made to measure suits. Nowadays, it is a term used to describe everything from clothing to footwear, jewellery, furniture, woodworking and more.

When it comes to woodworking, bespoke is synonymous with quality. Bespoke joinery, for instance, is the finest service available and it is built on unique requirements and approaches. The expert technicians shape their methods to fit the specific needs of the project. For instance, a very old staircase needs a bespoke job, in order to preserve its original features.
This guide to the basic principles of bespoke joinery and why you might need them will give you some more information.

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