Quote: antique furniture restoration
E.g.: E.g.: restoration of an antique oak chest of drawers
An old piece may need a functional repair, conservation or a decorative change. These aims are not interchangeable. Describe known history, defects and intended use before approving dismantling, stripping or replacement.
Document before intervention
Provide overall, detail and underside photographs, marks and known previous repairs. Report loose joints, missing parts, water marks and storage conditions. Request examination before a fixed quote where condition is unclear. Market valuation or historical attribution is a separate specialist assignment.
Choose what to retain
Agree wear marks, original components and finishes to preserve. The Canadian Conservation Institute favours retaining old finishes where possible and notes that removal is irreversible. Ask why removal is necessary and whether limited treatment meets the aim. As-new appearance is not implicit.
Define repairs and limits
Identify affected joints, feet, drawers, veneers and missing parts. Ask about materials, methods and effects on future treatment. Bone glue or avoiding screws is not a universal rule. Agree visual intervention level; retained traces may be intentional.
Do not diagnose from holes alone
Report holes and wood dust without immediately applying insecticide. Have current activity assessed and treatment matched to the piece. CCI directs infestation concerns to a conservator. Chemical treatment should not automatically accompany every restoration.
Plan transport and return
Agree handling, permitted dismantling, packaging and responsibilities. Keep detached fragments identified without improvised gluing. At return, request a record of work, use limitations and care compatible with the retained finish.
Indicative prices in Luxembourg
On quotation
Request a condition record and treatment proposal suited to the piece. Price should cover authorised repairs, finishing work and transport terms. Restoration is neither automatically economical nor a guarantee of increased value.
Subsidies and grants
No grant is deducted from the budget shown here. If a quote mentions support, request the exact scheme and confirmation of your eligibility before including it in financing.
Frequently asked questions
Is solid wood always worth more than new furniture?
No. Material, age and market value are different matters.
Must the old finish go?
Not as a rule. Assess conservation before irreversible removal.
Do holes prove active infestation?
They warrant examination, not an automatic treatment prescription.
Will repairs be invisible?
Do not assume so. Agree the result and deliberately retained traces beforehand.