Furniture & Antique Restoration, Repair, & Preservation FAQs
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Where are you located?
8601 Ebenezer Church Rd, Raleigh, NC 27617
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How do I get my piece to you? (It won't fit in my car!)
No worries--we provide a pick-up and delivery service.
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Do you do repairs?
We have a highly skilled team of third-generation craftsmen that specialize in performing repairs; re-gluing, veneering, making parts and turnings and fabricating missing pieces. We can repair anything from a broken leg to the meticulous and intricate repair of veneer—from any period.
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Do you handle moving claims?
Yes, we handle all moving claims and insurance claims. We prepare a report on the restoration cost and estimated value of each piece, and include photographs to document damages. There is a minimum cost of $250+tax for moving damage and insurance claims evaluations. This can go up depending on driving distance and the number of pieces that need evaluation. Call or email for details!
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Can I afford this? How do I find out?
We have an article, “10 Questions Anyone Can Use To Determine When to Restore.” that may help you with this question. We’ve learned through serving thousands of customers that when they’ve answered “yes” to most of those questions, they’ve recognized the sentimental or monetary value of their pieces and what would make restoration worthwhile.
All of our quotes are based on a price guide from 40 years of restoring furniture and antiques. We have most likely restored a piece like yours and can provide comprehensive feedback once we’ve evaluated it. You may send us a photo. An easy way to find out how much restoration will cost is to complete a restoration form and attach a photo or send an email to request@mumfordrestoration.com. You can also connect with one of our Restoration Consultants to determine if an in-person evaluation is the next best step.
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What will it be like to have someone come to my home for an In-Home Evaluation?
We will be happy to schedule an in-home evaluation with one of our Restoration Consultants. Often this is required so we can provide comprehensive feedback regarding the best repair and/or restoration approach for your piece(s). We will meet with you to discuss your goals and vision for your pieces, review our restoration processes with you, and build a restoration plan that considers your desired end result and your budget. Connect with us today to schedule your evaluation.
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How far do you travel to evaluate furniture and antiques?
While our primary furniture restoration market is Raleigh-Durham, NC, upon a discussion and review of your pictures, if we agree on ballpark pricing, we will travel most anywhere in NC, VA, and SC. We’ve restored pieces from Maryland to Florida and Tennessee to California. We are renowned for our expertise and are trusted by clients all over the U.S. for our uncommon knowledge of period-correct antique and furniture restoration.
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Why Four Levels of Service?
We have Four Levels of Service to help determine the most appropriate match for your piece of furniture. Not every piece needs the finish completely removed. Minor repairs, touchup or waxing may be the best approach. Please view our Four Levels of Service for more information.
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What if my piece is a mixture of the Four Levels?
We recommend scheduling an in-home evaluation with one of our Restoration Consultants, to discuss your goals and vision and to guide you through what your piece needs and what we propose to correct and restore it to its original condition. Often there are exceptions to the levels of service and we can adapt our proposal accordingly.
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Do you restore metals?
Yes; we restore brass, silver, iron, aluminum. We perform repairs, polishing, lacquering, powder coating, refinishing and restoring missing parts. Learn more about our metal restoration here.
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Do you restore outdoor furniture?
Yes; we restore aluminum, iron, wood and provide re-upholstery of cushions in outdoor fabrics. Learn more about our outdoor furniture restoration here.
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Do you carry fabrics or can we supply our own?
We carry a wide selection of fabrics that aren’t available in the retail market and are exclusive to designers. However; if you choose, you may also bring your own fabrics. Learn more about our upholstery restoration and services here.
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What do you do with artwork? Do you restore artwork?
Yes, we restore, repair, and conserve art. Learn more about our art restoration services here.
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Why would I choose Mumford's?
At Mumford Restoration, our highest priority is providing authentic wood restoration—producing results that stand the test of time and protect the longevity of your piece. As such, we do not take shortcuts, as is often the case with what we refer to as, “refinishers”. We are professional restorers that refinish wood as a part of the holistic restoration process. Learn more about Mumford Restoration here.
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What is an Evaluation and how is it different than just an estimate?
Evaluations require in-depth assessments of any given piece. For furniture, they are done in-person and are hands-on. For other pieces, they may require a specific restoration specialist. For example, if we are evaluating an antique firearm, we would have our Gunsmith and firearm restoration team evaluate the gun in their studio and provide a detailed report on the gun’s mechanics, its history, origin, appraised value, very specific restoration options to consider and any associated costs. If it’s an art piece, we would have our Art Restoration Team provide an assessment. There are varying costs for our evaluations, depending on the type of restoration. Click here for our evaluation costs and details.
An estimate is less intensive and not as meticulous—and usually isn’t based on a physical evaluation but on pictures and verbal explanation of a piece and its problems. We provide ballpark pricing with the caveat that it is always pending a physical evaluation and could change.
We can best determine the need for an in-home evaluation by discussing your goals and vision for your piece(s) with one of our Restoration Consultants—not every situation requires an in-home evaluation. Connect with us here. -
How do I know my piece is worth restoring?
The article on our website, “10 Questions Anyone Can Use to Determine When to Restore,” will help you determine if your piece is worth the investment. If you answer “yes” to most of the questions, an evaluation can help you make a final decision.
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Do you restore only antiques?
We restore quality pieces from the 16th century to the 21st century, modern and antique. Check out our Restoration Specialties for examples of the pieces we restore.
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Does it cost less to restore than replace?
It depends on the quality, uniqueness, and connection you have to your furniture, the article “10 Questions Anyone Can Use to Determine When to Restore” may be helpful. Connect with us and we can help you determine your restoration costs versus your replacement costs. If it’s a sentimental item, restoration is often the only option. However; if you have a piece that is high-quality and you want to compare the restoration cost versus the replacement cost, we can help.
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Does refinishing destroy the value?
Value can often be increased through restoration when the correct process is matched to the need and historical value of your furniture. A piece can be de-valued when the wrong process removes all traces of the original condition.
Functional and usable finish.
Refinishing can produce good results when a finish is no longer usable or restorable and must be removed and replaced. The result is a functional and beautiful finish.
Total refinishing can produce a generic one-finish-fits-all result which is not always desirable on unique pieces.
Restoration
Restoration as defined by Webster’s dictionary as “a bringing back into a former, normal or unimpaired state or condition…a representation of the original form.” In other words, restoring involves bringing back the original condition through the investigation of what process fits the need, the historical, sentimental, and intrinsic value of any piece. A unique piece requires a unique process.
Increased value and usability.
Restoration can produce excellent results and increase value when a piece is in need of major repair and has historical, sentimental, and intrinsic value.
Restoration can cost as much as replacement and must be measured by an appraisal of historical, sentimental, and intrinsic value.