Good Questions: Where Can I Get this Chair Fixed Up?

9.19woodenchair.jpg Hello AT,

I found this lovely JL Moller chair on the sidewalk a while back. As you can see, it needs re-cording. The estimates I've gotten for this job, however, have varied hugely. Several online craftspeople, who specialize in caning and danish cord work offered prices from $85 to $125, but I'd have to pay for shipping back and forth...

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
editor(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions

9.19chair3.jpg

A local furniture repair shop that is recommended on the AT site returned a $650 (!) estimate for the same job.

I'm befuddled. Which estimate is more realistic? And has anyone any first-hand experience getting this done (or doing it themselves?)

Thanks! Moira

Anyone?

Comments (11)

Yorkville Caning in Queens--they do very high quality work and the prices are reasonable (at least they were when I had my antique wing-backed chair completely recaned for $250 a few years ago)... http://www.yorkvillecaning.com/

And what's the problem with those estimates ($85 to $125)? Do you want them to pay for shipping roundtrip for that price? is that the beef? Let's be realistic here.

There's a place on 10th Ave in Manhattan where I've bought cane in the past. You can hire them too, but I don't know what their prices are like. It's a wonderfully old timey sort of place:

Veteran's Chair Caning and Repair
442 10TH Ave
New York, NY 10001-1407
Phone: (212) 564-4560

Whoa there, joebelt, ease up! I'm not sputtering in indignation over those prices, but if I don't have to pack up, ship, and insure a chair, then I'd rather not. In other words, a local option - one less than $650! - is preferred.

$85 for that job is cheap. It's a craftsman's job. Give it the respect it deserves. S&H should be minimal.

Thanks very much for the excellent and helpful recommendations, Eliza & Gagicab. Both Veteran's and Yorkville have given me estimates of less than a third of the one from *ahem* The Schmurniture Schmoint.

Would staining the chair a slightly darker color be an affordable option without ruining the chair?

Moira:

"The Schmurniture Schmoint" wanted $1400 to do my chair. After I was done laughing I called someone else.

I sooo hear ya!

Nevermind. the second image didn't load up and I thought it was because of the stain, not the cord at the edge of the chair. Ignore my previous comment.

Moira if your concern is the s/h and insurance then no biggie go for it, seems it would be worth the hassle..a lot less than $650. however if the legitimacy of the online stores is more worrying then you have a good question.

You have a point, coco - it's more that I'd rather go local if I can. Thanks to a couple of commenters upthread, it seems that I have my choice of New York-based shops. Happy ending!