I’ve been working in construction for the past 11 years at this point with a few years before that in a part time role. I’m more than happy to lend whatever knowledge or insights I may have about work, life, or whatever.
I will be checking in sporadically to see if there are questions.
EDITED WELL AFTER QUESTIONS STOPPED: I’m still active-ish on Lemmy, so if you happen to find this and have a question, I will likely still get back to you.
So very true.
Here in Europe, the large old stuff is incredibly cheap. I recently bought a 17th or 18th century full oak wardrobe. The screws it did have were all hand made. Next to no screws, all splints(?) and stuff like that. Don’t know the English terminology.
But it’s dark wood and large. Scares people off. They also don’t realise antique cupboards are very often easier to take apart than Ikea furniture. Paid just 100 Euros/dollars.
Also bought a family member a 19th century nutwood veneer antique beidermeier style cupboard. Once again, large cupboard. Almost flawless. Seller had previously tried to sell it for a few hundred, but no one wanted it. Bought it for thousands back in the day. Desperate to get rid of it as they were downsizing. Too large for the flat. 30 Euros. Absurd really.
The only problem you do occasionaly run in to is woodworm, scrapes and moisture. Obviously I avoid woodworm, but scrapes and moisture are something I’ve learnt to deal with. Polish, beeswax, etc. But that really scares people off, because they don’t realise how resistant high quality wood is to damage, and how easy it is to fix with some dark wax and elbow grease. They’re used to Ikea flatpack MDF crap. Do they even use MDF? Last time it was even cheaper and thinner crap.
Only disadvantage is how fucking heavy some of it is. Especially the oak stuff. Really does your back in. The wardrobe I mentioned earlier must have inch thick oak doors. The doors alone are almost 6 foot heigh.
Ikea filling is quite literally sometimes cardboard: Ikea Linnmom desktop (€13)
I’ve been using one of those cardboard desk tops for over a decade now. It’s sagged in the middle just a little bit and the surface has some bubbles from condensation on my drinks over the years, but it does still do the job. Kinda impressive for how cheap it is, TBH.
I’ve got a solid-wood, antique (circa 1930s, I guess), huge built-in pantry/cupboard (4’ wide, 8’ high, drawers on the bottom third and shelves with glass doors above) that I found on the side of the road for free because the owner of the house it was originally installed in just didn’t want it anymore for some reason. It’s crazy what folks throw out these days.
I’m lucky I own a utility trailer (which was also free: I bought a used car private-party and the seller insisted I take it too), or I’d have never been able to get it home.