Guides for carpenters and joiners

Straight answers for the workshop and the site, from measuring up to pricing the job.

• How to measure an alcove for fitted unitsA joiner's method for measuring alcoves: widths at three heights, checking walls for plumb, skirting, sockets and scribe allowances, so fitted units go in first time.6 minute read
• How many sheets of MDF do I need? Working it out properlyWork out how many 2440 × 1220 sheets a fitted furniture job needs: list the parts, allow for the saw cut and trims, respect the grain, and lay the parts out. With a worked example.7 minute read
• How to price fitted furniture: alcove units, wardrobes and media wallsA clear way to price fitted furniture: materials from a cutting list, your time stage by stage, overheads and profit, with an example and the mistakes that cost joiners money.7 minute read
• Saw kerf and sheet layouts: getting more parts from every boardWhat saw kerf is, why it matters on a cutting list, how much to allow for edge trims, and simple layout rules that save sheets on fitted furniture jobs.5 minute read
• Stud wall spacing in the UK: 400 or 600 centres, noggins and openingsHow to set out a timber stud partition in the UK: stud centres for plasterboard, CLS timber sizes, where the noggins go, and framing a door opening. Plus media walls.7 minute read
• Skirting and architrave: how much do I need?Work out skirting and architrave for a room: measure each wall run, take off the doorways, plan the runs into the lengths you can buy, and work out architrave per door.6 minute read