Is this a good quote for built in bookshelves?

[IHeartKingThistle]

Sorry I am starting so many Property/DIY threads at the moment - it's becoming a bit of an obsession!

We've had a a quote from a carpenter for a whole wall (2.6 wide) of built in MDF bookshelves/bookcase with cupboards underneath. The quote is £990 and we're in Surrey. Does that sound OK? We've never used a carpenter before!

TIA

Don't really know but if this helps as a comparison we paid about that to have cupboards with shelves over in two alcoves either side of a fireplace, this was 2009 in the Midlands. That was unfinished too, we had to prime and paint.

you really ought to ask him for a couple of recent customers you can visit to look at samples of his work, and ask their opinion.

if they are pleased, they will probably not mind showing off.

It is unlikely he will tell you about any dissatisfied customers.

The cost does not seem excessive, though I don't like MDF. I presume he will cut to size and machine out the hinge recesses at home, and assemble in your house. MDF dust is a health hazard.

It will be fairly difficult for you to paint inside the cabinets after assembly.

Sounds v reasonable to me. Our guy charged us 2k for 3 alcoves of shelves / cupboards, but he was a bit of an artiste.

I work for a bespoke joinery/interiors company and have just asked one of our estimators. After a bit of sucking of teeth and a quick recce of MDF + labour costs he thinks it is a fair price.

Is that with or without VAT? (20%)

We paid more than that for built in cupboards with shelves in along one wall. We too are Surrey.

I think that sounds good. Who will paint them?

Ooh, interesting. Thanks for that starfleet!

Monster that is a VERY good question as the estimate does not mention VAT at all. I'll have to email him and ask him.

Good points about asking for recommendations and MDF dust. We do want them painted but we were hoping we might be able to do that before assembly!

We had a whole wall done in our last house for ds. The painting was a NIGHTMARE and I wish I had just paid him to do it all. Better to have them sprayed and put together off site.

I'm really not looking forward to the painting - maybe I'll add that to the list of questions I'm going to email him!

False economy painting them yourself. It takes ages, is a right old pain in the arse, you will spend a fortune on primer before you've even spent money on paint.

Get them sprayed before assembly, or ask the joiner how much he'd charge to prime them (if the panels are primed they are much, much easier to paint).

We just had something similar done, and the MDF needs 4 coats because it really soaks paint up. A very laborious job. Nothing wrong with MDF though, you wouldn't know the difference when it is painted.

That sounds HORRENDOUS. OK, email sent, let's see what he comes back with!

Pay anything dp and I lost it with each other several times during the process as I suggested diy painting and it was endless

Yes. Yes. Yes. To the priming/spraying beforehand as it is a thankless and time consuming task having to paint MDF to a good standard finish.

OK, he's got back to me. Good news is that price includes VAT. Bad news is he really doesn't want it painted beforehand as in the past he's ended up resanding things due to paint drips or something.

Oh God I'm going to have to paint it aren't I? 4 coats? I'm not sure I'm going to have time in the next decade to do that!

You might want to ask if he can use an MF MDF (Melamine Faced MDF which is MDF with a laminated face) with the laminate facing on a single side which could be used on the inside of the cupboards if not the shelves/external areas which would save a bit of painting at least on the internal sections. The single sided MF MDF may be a little more expensive. There are only a few colours available in this but if you're happy with White on the insides of the cupboards it would save you some bother re the painting.

We had mdf shelves & cupboards built in two alcoves. They needed a coat of primer and two coats of paint on top. It didn't take all that long.

We also had to fill in tiny holes before starting - quick job with filler then sand it down a bit.

Be careful with the laminated stuff it doesn't give that painted furniture look and it chips too! Our carpenter did all the filling and sanding which was a help.

It might be worth getting a quote for wood - we've just had a home office fitted for £1600 in a very dark stained wood. the price of that versus MDF was negligible. I agree that painting MDF is a PITA!!

laminated board, the laminate is very hard and chips easily when you cut it. Even when done with a big circular saw, and the chip line is tiny, it will tend to be visible if the laminate is pale and the mdf is dark. There are ways of hiding it inside cabinets but it is labour intensive and the joiner will not want to do it. Because the laminate is so hard, it blunts most tools. He will also be thinking that if it is painted before assembly, you will blame him for any chips, scratches and scuffs while it is going together.

If you are going to paint it yourself, the insides have not got to look as perfect as the outsides of the doors. You can use a tiny amount of white decorator's caulk on internal joints, squashed in with a wet finger.

Yeah, it doesn't seem like laminate's the way forward, does it?

These ideas are great though, really helping!

I wouldn't use laminate - it'll scratch and be shiny. Too kitcheny for me. Quote sounds good - could you ask him to paint the undercoat at least? If not, it should be prepared for painting - ie. its his job to make sure all gaps are filled - not your decorator (or your) job.

Check what hinges and handles he will use for cupboards. Make sure you agree exactly what you want them too look like. Download photos from the internet. We've got shaker doors with touch-latches so there are no door handles. There are no hinges on view either - we used hinges like those you have on kitchen cupboards.

Really? A glimmer of hope...