Razorwire88 22nd November 2010, 05:18 AM Last night I was looking at some expensive designer bookcases and got the idea that it would be more interesting to draw my own model and contract a professional to build it for me.
Said and done, I sat all day today and came up with something a bit similar to the Random bookcase by MDF Italia. MDF Italia Random Bookcase (http://www.bonluxat.com/a/MDF_Italia_Random_Bookcase.html)
So, now that I have my designs I realize that I don't know the first thing about how to get this project done. I was hoping someone here could help me get started by answering the following.
- How much should I expect to pay for having this done? The bookcase will be approx 5 feet wide but as you can see from the example it is a bit more complex than normal.
- In what format should I deliver the plans? Will normal blue prints with dimensions suffice?
- I'm in the Jacksonville area. How do I find a professional carpenter to do the job?
I'm very thankful for any help because right now I have no clue where to start.
BobL 22nd November 2010, 08:05 AM Without more detail, such as detailed dimensions, materials, load bearing requirements, types of joints required, finish etc no one will be able to answer you questions.
My guess is unless you can get an amateur to do it for pocket money you will pay more (probably much more) than what you can buy similar products for at a store.
The site you refer to is showing shelves made in MDF, if you are OK with MDF you might as well just go to IKEA.
Jacksonville - is that Jacksonville USA?
Razorwire88 22nd November 2010, 08:36 AM Hi BobL,
Thanks for your reply. The bookcase will be approx 5 feet wide and the level of complexity will be more or less the same as the one in the link. As far as materials go I don't know enough to say what would be best. Since the design will be lacquered in white I guess MDF would work just fine.
The Random Bookcase (which is probably what I will get if I don't go through with this) is $3,000. I assume that it would be able to get mine built cheaper?
Yes, I'm in Jacksonville, Florida. Not from here originally though.
Edit: the bookcase will only be used for books.
BobL 22nd November 2010, 08:54 AM As far as materials go I don't know enough to say what would be best. Since the design will be lacquered in white I guess MDF would work just fine.
Except for inside cupboards etc, many quality custom carpenters won't work with MDF - it's considered an inferior material - I use it only where I don't want it to show.
Yes, I'm in Jacksonville, Florida. Not from here originally though.
You do realize that this site is primarily an Australian Woodworkers site? Although we do have many international members the chances of finding one in the Jacksonville, Florida area is quite remote.
I would look up the web or Yellow Pages in your area and look for custom furniture manufacturers. Whatever you do - don't tell them about the price of the Random Cases or they will bring their prices up to match.
Your drawing and specification will need to be moderately detailed or else they will choose the cheapest joinery (ie glue and staple but joints) in which case you might as well buy an IKEA bookcase. For $69 you can buy a 5 ft high bookcase in white MDF at IKEA in Orlando (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70103085). Frankly, I'd buy two and add some decorating flair and you'll be well in front in time, $ and aggravation.
Karl1 22nd November 2010, 10:34 AM Hi RW88,
Bob makes some good points. Commissioning bespoke quality furniture is not a cheap undertaking - it's just too easy to buy lesser quality but significantly cheaper alternatives made offshore. Given the choice people often choose the cost saving.
However! I have had furniture made by a local cabinet maker and the advantage is that you can choose the type of timber and specify the exact design of the piece. I am sure there are cabinet-makers in the north Florida area that do this. You just have to make sure that they are craftsmen devoted to quality, and the best (although not infallable) way to do this is to visit their shop/showroom to observe what they have done previously. They would also almost certainly have websites displaying their products. For example, there are a number of specialist makers of Shaker furniture operating in the north-east of the US and they are easily referenced on-line.
One other thing: it's probably best to pursue 'cabinet-makers' instead of 'carpenters' in this instance. In the main, the former make furniture and the latter make houses.
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