staircase joinery in East Sussex (17)

Here’s how to find a top-rated joiner near you:

1. Use Checkatrade: Our platform lists local joiners who have been through up to 12 checks, including ID, qualifications, insurance, and more.

2. Read reviews: Every review on Checkatrade is left by real customers. Look for consistent high ratings on workmanship, timekeeping, and tidiness.

3. Ask the right questions:

   • How long have you been a joiner?
   • Can you provide photos or references for similar projects?
   • Do you specialise in the kind of joinery I need?
   • Can you help with the design process?
   • Can you provide initial drawings?
   • How long do you think the project will take?
   • Can you provide an itemised quote?
   • Are there any additional costs?
   • Will you handle the installation, or do I need to hire a carpenter?
   • Do you offer a warranty or guarantee for your work?

4. Compare quotes: Don’t just go with the first one you get. Compare at least three to get a fair sense of price and approach.

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Joiners mostly work in a workshop with high-powered machinery to construct timber structures found in the home. They use intricate techniques, like tongue-and-groove and dovetail joints. In contrast, carpenters usually work on-site, constructing or repairing larger wood components as part of a house build. Carpenters work on anything from repairing roof structures and timber frames to installing garden pergolas.

Both are skilled tradespeople who provide woodworking services. Some joiners are able to offer certain carpentry services, and vice versa.

Want to know more about carpenters vs joiners? Find out here.

While joiners in East Sussex aren’t legally required to have formal qualifications, many do. Common qualifications include:

• City & Guilds certificates in Carpentry and Joinery
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 (National Vocational Qualification)
• Apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with practical experience
• CSCS cards (Construction Skills Certification Scheme), especially for work on building sites

Finding a joiner with professional qualifications indicates that they have undergone several years of training and have the right skills.

Although qualifications are necessary, it's also a good idea to ask for a joiner's portfolio of work.

Yes, many joiners repair and restore woodwork inside and outside the home. This includes things like fixing old furniture and restoring wooden windows or doors.

Whether it's a worn-out table, a creaky door, or a damaged skirting board, joiners can help restore these items to their original condition.

Here are a few examples of what they can help with:

• Restoring timber staircases: Fixing creaky steps, loose handrails, or broken spindles
• Window and door repair: Replacing rotten frames or adjusting doors that won’t close properly
• Fixing damaged furniture: Whether it’s a cracked cabinet or a worn-out table leg, a joiner can often make it as good as new
• Skirting and floorboard repairs: Ideal if your wooden flooring has warped, split, or loosened over time
• Heritage restoration: For older properties, specialist joiners can carefully recreate original features to match period styles

Repairs are typically quicker and cheaper than full replacements, and many local joiners are happy to advise on whether a fix is viable. If it’s a heritage home or listed property, they can also ensure work meets restoration standards.

Not quite. Joinery in East Sussex involves creating wooden components like doors, windows, and staircases for homes, commercial properties or construction sites. In contrast, cabinetry focuses on crafting furniture and storage solutions like cabinets and wardrobes, with detailed finishes.

There's some overlap between the two. But joiners handle structural or furniture woodwork, while cabinetmakers specialise in more intricate furniture and storage.

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