Carpentry advice for Crawley homes
Choosing a carpenter in Crawley: what to ask before work begins
Carpentry is easy to judge once it is finished. A door either closes sweetly or it does not. The hard part is judging the person before they have picked up a tool.
A few questions at the outset tell you most of what you need to know. Here they are, along with what a proper quote looks like and the signs that should make you pause.
Eight questions worth asking
- Have you done this exact job before? Hanging doors and building a staircase are different skills. Ask for photos of similar work.
- Will you be doing the work yourself? If others will be on the job, ask who.
- Is the price fixed, or by the day? If by the day, ask how many days they expect.
- What does the price include? Materials, fixings, waste removal, filling and priming.
- Who buys the materials? And if you buy them, who is responsible if they are wrong?
- Do you carry public liability insurance? A professional will have it and will not mind being asked.
- When can you begin, and how long will it take? Get a date, not just a rough month.
- What happens if something unexpected turns up? Agree that any extra cost is discussed before the extra work is done.
The answers matter. So does the manner. Someone who answers plainly and without fuss is usually someone who works the same way.
What a clear quote contains
An estimate is a rough guess and can change. A quote is a fixed price for a described job. Ask which one you are being given, and get it in writing. An email or text is fine.
- The carpenter's name, trading name and contact details
- A plain description of the work, room by room or item by item
- The materials, with enough detail to know what you are getting
- The total price, and if VAT is included or does not apply
- What is not included, such as painting
- The planned dates
- The payment terms
With that in hand, you can compare two quotes fairly. If you need a feel for the going rate first, see what a carpenter charges in Crawley or the carpentry cost calculator.
Paying fairly
For a small job, payment on completion is normal. For a larger one with costly materials, such as a kitchen fit or a staircase, a deposit towards materials is reasonable, with the balance paid in stages or at the end.
Be careful of anyone who wants most of the money before any work has been done. Pay by bank transfer or card where you can, so there is a record, and ask for a receipt.
Signs that should make you pause
- A price given on the spot with nothing written down
- Pressure to agree today because the offer will not last
- Cash only, and no invoice
- No surname, no address and only a mobile number
- Reluctance to say what materials will be used
- A quote far below every other, with no reason given
If you agree a contract at home, you usually have 14 days by law to change your mind. And under the Consumer Rights Act, any service must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Citizens Advice can explain your rights if a job goes wrong.
Why local helps
A carpenter who works around Crawley knows the housing. They will know that a 1950s terrace in West Green has different quirks from a 1970s house in Bewbush or a newer one in Maidenbower. They are likely to have fitted the same doors into the same size of opening down the road.
Local also means less time on the M23 and more time on your job, which keeps the price sensible. And if a door needs a tweak after it has settled, someone nearby can call in without it being a day's outing.
Before the first day
- Confirm the date and arrival time a few days ahead
- Clear the room, or agree who will move the furniture
- Sort out parking, and a permit if your road needs one
- Say where tools can be plugged in and where cutting can be done
- Keep pets and small children well away from the work
- Agree how you will stay in touch during the job
Ready to ask? See what is involved in common jobs on our pages for fitted wardrobes, kitchen fitting and carpentry repairs.
Common questions
How do I find a good carpenter?
Ask to see photos of similar jobs, get the price in writing and check what it includes. A good carpenter answers questions plainly, turns up when they say they will and does not push you to decide on the spot. If you can, look at a finished job in person, since joints and gaps tell you more than any photo.
Should I get more than one quote?
For anything beyond a small repair, two or three quotes is sensible. Make sure each one is for the same work and the same materials, or the comparison means little.
Speak to a local carpenter about your job
The best carpenters are rarely free tomorrow. Asking early gives you time to compare, choose well and get a date that suits you, instead of taking whoever happens to be free.
Describe the job and say where in Crawley you live. There is no charge for asking.