Biggest problem I have is everyone wants "heirloom" quality but at a Walmart price.
A world ago in time I wanted a reloading bench.
I found the popular shotgun reloaders plan for a bench on the internet and planned on building one to their specification using standard dimensional lumber. The only carpentry needed would be “cut to length and drive lag bolts”.
At the time I priced the lumber at about $1200 bucks and figured it would take me weeks of stumbling my way through. An hour each day setting up table saw, chop saw and a work area in my driveway, only to have rain come in and force me into the house.
My wife suggested I call the shop that made our commercial sale bedroom furniture and see what they would charge.
I called, they are in NH, and they said they would not be able to do it but they gave me the number to their foreman and said he does side jobs he may do it.
I expected an ass raping.
I sent him the 1960s era shotgun reloaders bench plan and said it was exactly what I wanted.
Dude said $2500.00.
It was a no brainer. I jumped on it like Mia Kalifa on dick.
Within a day or two he started sending me cad renderings to inquire if it was what I expected.
This is what I got delivered from VT to MA, installed and setup….
It’s a mess now but you get the idea. I did buy the maple top for $350 which he and I put in place when he delivered…
After he built this mirror, entertainment system and cabinet for my wife…
I don’t think we ever haggled with his prices, just paid what he asked, fed him and respected him when he showed up and tipped him when he left.
Sadly dude decided his wood skills were not giving him the life he wanted.
He is a programmer in the tech industry and I hope he is making big bank.
I wish he could have took his skills off like a jacket and put them on me.