Complete Refinishing and Repair /Rebuilding has been our specialty since 1979 when I started in the business. Three expansions, the last in 1991, to our current 6,250 sf facility, have been made to achieve better quality and efficiency in providing this specialty service. Refinishing and Repair remains the primary focus of our business today, because this is mainly what our customers demand. Since 1980 we have served over 10,000 satisfied customers. We share the full range of our experience with customers so they can make informed decisions to proceed or not with any project. At Macfee Refinishing, we are focused on getting your satisfaction, rather than simply getting an order. We put forth the extra effort when necessary to achieve this.
Original hardware is removed, bagged and stored in a file prior to stripping of the furniture. It is later polished, then reinstalled after finish application. Mirrors and glass are also removed and protected before stripping. Mirrors are resilvered or replaced as ordered. A large selection of quality reproduction hardware is available for order when needed to suit furniture of most any stying. Most refinish and repair projects take 3 weeks to complete. A few additional days may be needed to complete assembly.
This is a brief summary of the process. This procedures described above are not unique. What makes the process "ours" is the experience which guides our methods, attention to details, and using the highest quality material. As always, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about our our method and materials. A shop tour is very helpful in getting a detailed understanding of the process I have described above.
A careful evaluation and discussion of your expectations is always the first step for any project. The following lists outline some main topics to evaluate and consider.
Evaluations for the item that you need from your refinisher.
Evaluations for you personally
Getting Started
Take a good look at any furniture you own, especially if it is over 25 years old, no matter what the existing condition. It may be loose, in pieces, broken pieces, missing pieces or poorly repaired previously. A good project candidate doesn't have to be an heirloom piece, although they frequently are. Maybe it is simply good furniture that functions for a given need.. Generally, the goal is to return it to it's original new condition structurally. The "look" of the finished wood can vary from "better than new" to showing age and "character" according to previous usage, age, wood type, style, function, or generally what is appropriate for that individual piece. How you wish to see it when finished is a primary consideration as well.
If you are shopping around businesses for consideration, please take the time to pay us a visit before you decide. When shopping, please consider price with quality and level of services provided. Comparisons between different shops can be very unfair if you only look at price. Methods and materials used can vary widely from one business to the next. Judge any shop's quality for yourself by visiting them first.
The process may begin with a phone call or a visit. Because of the extent of our experience, there is much information, including price range estimates, that we can discuss with you over the phone. If you are seriously ready to consider proceeding, then we must inspect the item in person to give you a price quotation. While phone estimates can be subject to error, we do it because the time it takes for on-site inspections is very significant. Our phone estimates for refinishing costs are mostly very accurate. Repairing costs are less accurate given over the phone. When you request us to make an on-site inspection after receiving a phone estimate, we trust that we have a good to better probability of receiving the job. Of course we would understand you not wanting to proceed if the on-site inspection turned out to be much more than the phone estimate you received from us. Your cooperation in this regard enables us to continue providing personal on-site quotes at no cost in the Topeka area. We do charge for quotes related to an insurance or moving damage claim. ( The charge is usually refunded if we get the work.) Please call for information if you are filing a moving damage or insurance claim.
When you bring the item in to us for a quote, it is always free, welcomed and appreciated. This also has the added benefit of you being able to see the shop and get a personal tour. You can view projects finished and in progress and have any questions you may have answered. If the item is small enough that you can bring it in, this is greatly appreciated, and you will avoid any pickup or delivery charges. If you want a price when you come in, make sure to schedule an appointment with me in advance (Dave Macfee). If you are willing to leave the item for me to quote and then call you, bring it anytime during our open hours (9-5,m-f ) (Sat 10-1 by appointment; We work most Saturdays, Sometimes we don't)
Lawrence * Manhattan * Kansas City * Emporia * If you're located outside Topeka, but within 90 miles, and you are a serious potential customer, we would like a chance to do your work. If we can agree on an estimated range over the phone, and you are willing to let me take the work when I come out and do the quote, then we are willing to provide the pickup and delivery at a low additional cost. If you had an entire dining room set for example ( table, 6 chairs, buffet ), we would be very eager to provide the pickup and delivery at a minimum cost. We stand ready to be of service. I believe we offer a quality of workmanship and service that you may not be able to find in your local area. I expect to give you the same consistently high level of satisfaction we have been providing for over 15 years here in Topeka.
We provide a written proposal of work and a price quote for all orders.
I believe a written proposal and price quotation avoids misunderstandings and unpleasant surprises and is just good business. There are of course some details of the process that are too small to list, and there are often small things that need to be done that weren't noted on the form. We do those small additional things necessary at no additional cost to you. In the rare instance (and I do mean rare ) that some major repair was found necessary that was not quoted to repair, then you would be notified immediately and early in the process before much cost is incurred. (Repair is the first step in the process.) I would expect to have a good reason why I didn't see it in the first place. Our written quotation will state a cost for the work to be done as is listed. The main instructions for each job are as follows.
Other specialty items may be needed to complete a project and are listed on the quote as well. Below is a list of the most common special items that would be noted on the quotation if they are to be provided.
When we can inspect the item in person we will give you a written quotation detailing all job instructions and what they will cost. At that time we can help you evaluate many things about the project. We can give you an opinion as to the general quality of construction. We can usually determine what type of wood it is. We will assess the need for repairs, which is of utmost importance, and give you a price for those repairs. We are not hesitant to advise caution or even advise against proceeding, if there is indication that we cannot meet the expectation hoped for.
Color.. the most customer-sensitive component of the refinishing business. Any refinisher should admit this. If they dont.. be cautious.
For any project that we finish, we will want to know what color, specific or general, that you are hoping to achieve. We will indicate at that time if we expect any problem the color you desire. We reduce potential problems by listening to you first and finding out what your desired color is. You can look at our extensive set of over 60 finished samples in 9 different wood types, showing the more popular color choices. You can bring a sample piece of what you like and we can evaluate a match from that. Sometimes a customer will prefer to come in when the piece is ready to be stained to see firsthand what the color will look like on their item. If we foresee a chance that we will not be able to achieve the color you wish, we will discuss that candidly with you. Generally speaking, we can move a lighter wood to any degree of darker shade. Achieving a color lighter than the natural color of a given wood is where a color expectation may not be achieved, and this needs to be resolved before the start of the project. There are many other testy coloring situations where we've learned from experience what is possible and what isn't. There are different types of stains as well as methods of coloring. We have at hand every material available for coloring of wood. A comprehensive knowledge of coloring materials and skill in using them is what separates a really good refinishing shop from the rest. There are some projects that don't require much skill in this area. Woods like walnut or cherry may not need any coloring at all. There are others that can be very dull and unappealing without professional coloring material and method.
Repair.. What your friends don't see when it is sitting pretty in your home is the most important part of what we do. (and sometimes the most costly)
There is little margin for error in the repair process. My philosophy for repair is simple on it's face for any item. Whatever we do must be as strong or better than the original. That applies to any component or the entire assembly. This standard dictates that many widely performed repair practices are unacceptable. In our daily experience, we see many such repairs that have failed, sometimes creating larger problems to solve. Ironically, the correct repair or part replacement often would not have required more time than the "clever solution". Some parts can be glued to original strength when they are broken. Some need to be replaced. Repair work requires a fundamental understanding of wood and joinery to know what will work and what does not.
The money spent towards refinishing is wasted if the piece can't be used. This basic approach to repair is of highest importance. This is what I have in mind when writing up the proposal to do the work for you. I assume that the item will be used. We will always propose the most certain and strongest repair solution first. You may request a lesser solution for budgetary reasons, or maybe because the item will be only for show and not for use. ( And that may be a very good decision sometimes) That is your option to request and your decision to accept the consequence of that.
In some instances, preservation of original parts is of primary concern and original strength cannot be achieved. There are almost always options for repairing any part or assembly. short of achieving original strength when necessity dictates. When that is the case, and strength may be compromised, it is always discussed in the quotation process.
We also perform small to complex repairing of furniture that you may not need or want to refinish. Sometimes people think we don't want to do little repairs on things. We actually do that quite a bit. We also offer our repairing services along with our stripping only service for home refinishers
Scheduling.. Yes we really schedule our work.
Some refinishing shops are proud to tell people that they have a waiting list over 6 months. I have heard some boast their list is over 1 year. I have a suspicion most of those who say that, don't really have a list. They're just working on whoever's item that is screaming at them the loudest. The length of the waiting list someone claims is not necessarily an indication that this person is worth waiting for. If I had remained a one or 2 person shop I'd be able to tell people my waiting list was 2 years.
Instead, we have grown with the demand for our services. The working process is 3 to 4 weeks for a refinishing and repair project. At most any given time, we can begin your project within 2 weeks of your confirming the job. Usually most people don't require a firm commitment, and we can safely tell you 1 to 2 months.If you require a schedule commitment, we are prepared to give one to you and come through as promised. When you are ready to get things moving, we are ready to be there!
Email davidjm at this domain with any question, comment or request for further information.