Who repairs wood furniture?

Wood furniture is repaired by furniture repairers and restorers, who work from a shop or come to your home, and by conservators for valuable pieces. Pick by what you have: an everyday dresser or table suits a repairer; an antique or heirloom suits someone who restores them; anything built into the house is contractor work and should be hired as such.

Who does what

Furniture repairers. They fix loose joints, broken legs and rails, drawers that will not run, veneer and finish damage. Many also refinish. This is who most people need.

Restorers and conservators. For an antique, the aim is different. The National Park Service describes a conservator's typical steps: examine the object, which includes identifying the type of wood, finish, adhesive and joinery techniques, then clean it and make structural repairs.^[1] Those repairs restore structural integrity rather than necessarily appearance, and are reversible so they can be removed if necessary.^[1]

Refinishers. They strip and refinish surfaces. Oregon State's extension circular warns that removing the original finish of a valuable piece in good condition would destroy much of its value and character.^[5] For anything old, ask a restorer before a refinisher.

Cabinetmakers and contractors. Built-in cabinetry, stair parts and anything fixed to the house are closer to building work. Virginia's licensing law defines a contractor in terms of the construction, removal, repair or improvement of buildings and structures, including those permanently annexed to real property.^[2] Loose furniture is not described there, but built-in work is closer to it. Ask DPOR whether a particular job needs a licence, and for built-in work check the licence before you sign.

Checking someone out

Ask for local references and call them. DPOR's guide advises asking a contractor for local references and calling them to see if they were satisfied, and, if possible, looking at finished projects.^[3] The advice is written for contractors, but it works as well for a furniture repairer. Look at finished pieces if you can, and ask whether they have repaired your kind of furniture and finish.

For fixed work, check the licence itself. DPOR warns that a license number in an advertisement or on a business card does not necessarily mean the license is valid,^[3] so look the person up on DPOR's website rather than trusting the card.

Get it in writing

Ask for an itemized written quote: the repair, finish work, materials, pickup and delivery or a house call, and what is left out. DPOR says Virginia law requires licensed contractors to provide a written contract for residential work.^[3] A furniture repairer may not be covered by that, so ask for a quote on paper anyway.

Keep the paperwork. Virginia's Consumer Protection Act lists, among prohibited practices, misrepresenting that repairs, alterations, modifications or services have been performed or parts installed,^[4] so an invoice that says what was done is worth having.

Or do it yourself

Small finish problems are within reach: see how to fix a scratch in wood furniture. The Oregon State circular says some techniques are best suited for professional use,^[5] so leave joinery, veneer and valuable pieces to someone with experience. For prices, read how much wood furniture repair costs in Virginia.

Stop and call a pro if

• The piece is an antique, an heirloom or signed. Hire a restorer; the National Park Service notes that poorly done repairs are another common cause of damage to wooden objects.^[1]
• A chair, bed or tall dresser is wobbling or cracked. A failed joint in something people sit on or climb can give way. Stop using it until it is repaired.
• The work is fixed to the house. Hire a licensed contractor and check the licence with DPOR.^[3]
• A quote has no written scope. Ask for one before you hand the piece over.

Getting help in Virginia

Browse furniture repair answers or small repairs on Loclis.

When you are ready, describe the repair once and local furniture repairers can quote it.