Commissioning an antique furniture restoration is a bit like handing over a family photograph. You are trusting someone with memories as much as with wood and glue. A few clear questions at the start make it much more likely that you end up with a piece that feels right, looks honest and still carries its history.
At Jumbletique I am very open about how each piece is treated, from the first photos through to nationwide delivery and aftercare. That approach gives a good model for what you should ask any restorer before you say yes to a project.
Here is a set of questions you can use, plus the kind of answers that show you are in safe hands.
1. What is Your Overall Approach to Antique Furniture Restoration?
This is the first and most important question. You are trying to find out whether the restorer wants to make your piece look completely new, or whether they work more like a conservator who respects age and character.
A restorer who is a good fit for antiques will usually say things like:
- The aim is to keep as much original material as possible.
- They only strip finishes when they really have to.
- They prefer subtle repairs and natural looking finishes.
- They are happy to leave certain marks and knocks because they tell the story of the piece.
My goal is to make a piece usable and balanced again without wiping away its past. My process involves understanding where something was made, what it is made from and what has already been done to it before any new work begins. That kind of language is a good sign.
If someone promises to make your antique look “brand new” with high gloss and totally flat surfaces, that might be right for some modern furniture but it is usually not what you want for true antiques.
Useful follow up: “Can you show me some before and after examples that match the age and style of my piece?”
2. What Work do You Think is Actually Needed and Why?
Before you commit, ask for a simple breakdown of what they plan to do and what they plan to leave alone. A good restorer will normally want photos and measurements first, then talk you through.
- Structural work, such as loose joints, broken frames, missing pieces, unstable tops.
- Surface work, such as tired finishes, water marks, sun damage, heavy scratches.
- Hardware issues, such as missing handles, stiff locks or worn runners.
At Jumbletique I focus on structural soundness first, then colour and finish decisions that respond to where the piece will live. That is the right order.
Red flags here are very vague answers, or a suggestion that everything needs to be sanded flat with little thought about what might be lost in the process.
Useful follow up: “Which parts of the original finish or hardware would you try to keep, and which would you replace?”
3. What is Your Background and Experience with Antiques?
Experience matters because antiques behave differently from newer pieces. Old glues, old finishes and hand cut joinery all need a careful touch.
Things worth asking:
- How long they have been restoring furniture.
- Whether they work mainly on antiques, vintage pieces or modern items.
- Any training in fine art, conservation or traditional restoration techniques.
- Whether they can handle veneers, marquetry and inlays if your piece has them.
In my own case I retrained with artisans in Tuscany after a career in media and I have a background in art history and fine art. That mix of practical training and visual understanding shapes the way I handle proportion, colour and patina on vintage and antique furniture. You do not need the same story from every restorer, but you do want some evidence that they understand both structure and aesthetics, not just quick fixes.
Useful follow up: “Have you worked on pieces like this before, and can you show me a couple of examples?”
4. What Materials and Finishes Will You Use?
The materials used in restoration affect not just the look, but also the health of the piece and the air in your home. It is worth getting specific.
Ask:
- What kind of cleaners, strippers or solvents they use.
- Whether they use traditional finishes like shellac, waxes and oils where appropriate.
- If they use low VOC or water based systems when possible.
- How reversible their methods are if future conservators need to work on the piece.
At Jumbletique I use low VOC waterborne systems, dewaxed shellac, natural waxes and traditional pigments on many painted furniture projects. The idea is to work with the timber instead of sealing it in heavy plastic coatings. For an antique, that is usually a better long term choice.
If a restorer wants to spray everything in thick two part lacquer as a default, ask why and whether a gentler option is possible.
Useful follow up: “Can you explain how this finish will age over time and how easy it is to repair if it gets damaged?”
5. How do You Price the Work and What Could Change the Cost?
Antique furniture restoration is very individual. Costs should reflect the time involved, the complexity of the work and the materials used. You are not looking for the cheapest quote. You are looking for clarity and honesty.
Ask for:
- A clear written estimate that lists the main stages of work.
- Any separate costs such as hardware, new glass or specialist repairs.
- What would count as “extra” if they discover hidden problems.
- Payment terms and when deposits or instalments are due.
At Jumbletique I always have an open discussion of how size, condition and level of finish all affect price. Kitchens are given as an example where a careful repaint can cost a fraction of a full refit while avoiding waste. That kind of framing shows an understanding of value rather than just day rates.
If someone cannot explain their prices in a simple way, or if they resist putting anything in writing, that is a reason to pause.
Useful follow up: “Under what circumstances would the quote need to be updated, and how would you handle that conversation?”
6. How Long Will it Take and What is Your Process?
Good restoration is slow. Once you have stripped or over sanded something you cannot put history back. You need a realistic sense of timescale and steps so you are not chasing updates or worrying in silence.
Ask:
- When they can realistically start the job.
- How long they expect the work to take, including curing and drying time.
- Whether there are stages where they will send you photos and check decisions.
- What happens if they fall behind schedule.
At Jumbletique my clients are encouraged to send photos and dimensions first, then there is a conversation about colour, prep and finish before work starts. That sort of process helps prevent surprises and gives everyone a shared picture of the final result.
Useful follow up: “Will I get updates during the project, and if so, how often and in what format?”
7. How do You Handle Transport, Insurance and Storage?
Antique rustic wooden furniture is heavy, fragile in places and often awkward to move. You want to know that your piece will be safe from the moment it leaves your home until it returns.
Ask:
- Whether they offer collection and delivery, or if you need to arrange it.
- If they use their own vehicle, a trusted courier or a general shipping company.
- How items are wrapped and protected in transit.
- Who is responsible if something is damaged on the way to or from the workshop.
- How your piece will be stored if the workshop is busy.
I offer nationwide delivery and make a point of careful wrapping and handling for restored pieces. That same care should apply to items that are being worked on, not just finished pieces that are ready for sale.
Useful follow up: “If my piece is in the workshop for a while, where will it be stored and how is it protected?”
8. What Kind of Aftercare Support do You Offer?
A restorer’s job is not really done when the piece leaves the workshop. How you look after it at home will affect how well it ages and how long it is before it needs further work.
Ask:
- Whether they provide written aftercare guidance specific to your finish.
- What products to use for cleaning and what to avoid.
- How to handle small knocks or scratches yourself.
- Whether they offer touch up or maintenance services in future.
I offer a clear promise of aftercare advice as part of my restoration service. That kind of support is a sign that the restorer is thinking about the long term life of the piece, not just the moment a project is signed off.
Useful follow up: “If I have questions in a few months’ time, are you happy for me to get in touch, and how quickly do you usually reply?”
9. Are There Any Reasons You Would Advise Against Restoring this Piece?
This might feel like a strange question, but it is important. A trustworthy restorer will sometimes say no or at least “not yet”.
Good reasons to hold back include:
- The timber or construction is too weak to justify the cost.
- Previous work has removed too much original material.
- The piece has more value as a historical object than as a day to day item.
- The budget you have in mind will not allow for a safe, respectful job.
I will always be honest that not every item is worth saving and that condition and materials matter. If your restorer can explain clearly when they would say no, you can trust their yes more when it comes.
Useful follow up: “If this were your piece, what would you do with it, and why?”
Antique Furniture Restoration, Pulling it All Together
Commissioning an antique furniture restoration does not need to be intimidating, but it should be thoughtful. The right questions help you understand the restorer’s philosophy, methods and boundaries. They also help the restorer understand you, your home and your reasons for saving the piece and what you want from it.
If you are thinking about working with me, a simple starting point is to send a few photos and rough measurements along with a short note about how you use the piece and what you hope to change. You can contact me here. From there, you can walk through the questions above together and decide on a plan that respects the age of the furniture while making it ready for its next chapter. If you don't already have an antique piece and would like to browse already finished pieces, please see all my available products here.
Author Bio
Simon Woodthorpe is a furniture restorer and decorative painter based near Fakenham on the North Norfolk coast. After a long career in tech and media licensing, he went back to his roots in Fine Art and Art History, retraining with artisans in Tuscany to learn traditional furniture restoration and paint techniques. At Jumbletique he now focuses on thoughtful, hand finished restorations that keep the character of antique and vintage pieces while making them practical for everyday life in modern homes.