1. If I have a general idea of what I want, what is my first step?
2. Can I choose any wood I want?
3. Isn't solid wood the best building material?
4. How much is custom furniture?
5. Why choose custom furniture over the cheaper alternatives like IKEA and Home Depot?
6. I like something I saw at a store. Can you build it for me?
7. Are your products finished or unfinished?
1. If I have a general idea of what I want, what is my first step?
Congratulations! You know what you want, and knowing is half the battle. You're first step is to contact me and we can discuss your idea. If needed, I can come on site to look at the location and we can discuss the project. Once a decision is made on the function of the piece, we can look more into creating an artistic spin to give it that one of a kind look.
2. Can I choose any wood I want?
Of course! However, the reality is I can only create pieces with woods that are available. Common woods (maple, walnut, oak, birch, mahogany, cherry and some others) are readily available, but projects with rare woods are based on the availability and the project. Exotic veneers (see below for explanation of veneers) are something that can be obtained more easily than exotic solid wood, but generally come with a much higher price tag. For example, a 4’ x 8’ sheet of cherry veneer may run somewhere in the $80-120 range, while a sheet of macassar ebony will cost upwards to $600-700. Even rarer woods (exotic burls for example) can run over $1000 per sheet. In addition, some wood may not be suitable for certain projects. If you were to order a one of a kind butcher/serving block, for example, I would not be able to use a wood such as oak because it has wide grain, which collects juices that can ferment.
3. Isn't solid wood the best building material?
No! It is a common misconception that the best furniture is built out of solid wood. Solid wood is prone to expansion and contraction, as well as warping and twisting. It is very labor intensive to work solely with solid wood, and most of the investment is in the labor! Solid wood is good for accents and smaller projects, but for large applications you would want to use a veneer (a thin sheet of wood – think of a pencil shaving but a large sheet) which is glued (or ‘laid up’) on a substrate. The substrates range from particle board, to MDF (medium density fiber board) to plywood. MDF is made up of fibers and once laid up with a veneer, yields an incredibly flat and smooth surface, well suited for cabinetry. Plywood is also an excellent substrate, as it gives the best strength to your project. It’s not the material used, it’s how each material is put to use.
4. How much is custom furniture?
Prices range from piece to piece. It is hard to give a price range for any particular project, since pricing can depend on materials, design, finish, and installation. The best way to find out how much something might cost is to contact me, and I can probably give a ballpark figure for any project.
5. Why choose custom furniture over the cheaper alternatives like IKEA and Home Depot?
If you are in the market for a simple bookcase where design and size specifications are not an issue, stores such as these will give you what you are looking for. However, custom work offers an unmatched quality that is designed to fit into any space in your home. Red Dog Woodworks can create pieces that are far superior in quality, but more importantly match the personality of my customers. Most custom work becomes one of the centerpieces of an individual's home, and it should accurately reflect the client's desired style and personality.
6. I like something I saw at a store. Can you build it for me?
If you see something you like at the store, buy it! I can reproduce what you find at a store, but it will probably cost about double or triple the price. Why? I have to study the design, find the right materials, build, and finish a piece. I am creating one-of-a-kind pieces using raw materials, so I simply can’t compete with prefabricated prices. But you can use existing pieces of furniture as bases for a custom creation, and that's where I come in.
7. Are your products finished or unfinished?
The finishing is entirely up to the customer. I will do many finishes, including stains, laquers and polyurethanes. About 10-15% of the cost is usually in finishing, so some people choose to finish their own products, especially those who want to paint it. Red Dog Woodworks unfortunately is not in the painting business and if a paint grade cabinet is desired, the painting will have to be done by a third party.
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