What to Ask a Carpenter Before Hiring Them in Bath

Most carpentry problems trace back to a question that wasn’t asked at the start. None of what follows is complicated — it’s just the handful of things worth confirming before you commit to a carpenter for a Bath project, whether that’s a kitchen, a fitted wardrobe, or a full extension.

“Is This a Written, Fixed Quote?”

The most important question on this list. A written quote with materials and specification attached is a commitment. A verbal estimate is a starting point that can move. Ask directly which one you’re being given, and get anything agreed put in writing before work starts.

“Have You Done Work Like This in Bath Before?”

Not a generic “we do all sorts” answer — ask for a specific, comparable example. Period properties, sloped ceilings, awkward alcoves, and Bath’s particular mix of housing stock all bring their own quirks. A carpenter who’s worked on similar properties locally will spot problems before they become expensive surprises.

“What’s Included, and What Isn’t?”

Materials, installation, removal of old fittings, making good afterwards, VAT — confirm what’s in the number and what’s billed separately. This is where two quotes that look similar on paper can end up very different in practice.

“Who’s Actually Doing the Work?”

Ask whether the person quoting the job is the person doing it, or whether it’s subcontracted out. Neither answer is automatically wrong, but it changes who’s accountable if something needs revisiting, and it’s worth knowing upfront.

“What Happens If Something Doesn’t Fit Right?”

Bespoke work occasionally needs a small on-site adjustment — a run of skirting that needs scribing to an uneven floor, a unit that needs a sliver taken off to sit flush against a wall that isn’t quite straight. Ask how that’s handled: included as part of the process, or charged as an extra. A carpenter confident in their measuring will have a clear answer.

“Can I See Your Insurance?”

Public liability insurance should be produced without hesitation. If there’s any structural work involved, ask how Building Regulations apply and who’s managing that side of things.

“What’s a Realistic Timeline?”

Ask for a stage-by-stage estimate, not just a single completion date. A carpenter who’s run projects like yours before should be able to break down roughly how long design, ordering, and installation each take — and be upfront about what could extend it.

“What’s the Warranty on the Finished Work?”

Get the guarantee period and what it actually covers in writing. A vague “we’ll sort anything out” isn’t the same as a defined warranty.

The Pattern Worth Noticing

None of these questions are unusual or unreasonable, and a carpenter who’s properly set up to do good work will answer all of them without friction. Hesitation, vagueness, or pressure to skip straight to a deposit is the more useful signal — pay attention to it.

TM Carpentry is a carpenter and bespoke joiner based in Bath, working across Bath, Bristol, and Keynsham with £2M public liability cover. Get in touch and ask us anything on this list — we’re used to it, and a written quote follows a proper site visit, every time.