Carpentry advice for solid oak vanity unit

8 years ago

Hello!

I have recently bought this solid oak (wenge) vanity unit for my bathroom and in my haste and excitement, didn't really consider its dimensions. The unit fits but is probably about 4 inches too deep in reality. I love it so much and it took so long for me to source it that I don't want to return it. I've spent a considerable amount of money on it so not sure if it's worth the added expense of having a carpenter look at it or if it's even possible to reduce the depth. Has anyone altered anything similar before? I'd appreciate an idea of how difficult/expensive it could be.

N.B. The sink hasn't been attached to the unit yet. The top screws off. The top and legs are solid with panels at the back and sides.

Any advice is welcome. Thank you!

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PRO
Caldicot Kitchen & Bathroom Centre
7 years ago
Hi there, it looks like a lovely unit, but I would be reluctant to attempt to rework it. There is rather more to it than perhaps first meets the eye - it looks as though the side panels are, in fact, five separate piece, at least 3 of which (top and bottom frame pieces and centre panel) would need modified, and it would involve rather more than just sawing a small section out!. So you have to multiply that twice, then modify the base, top and any internal shelves. Then you would have to possibly refinish (varnish/oil or whatever) and tidy any newly reworked edges. Oh, and I can't quite see if the top is wood or stone - if the latter, then that has another set of challenges!

The reality is that you would need a really high quality carpenter to do a job like this well, and s/he would need a decent amount of time to do it properly. So if you look at the typical daily rate for someone like that - near me, that could be £200-£250 - and factor in at least 1 day, then I am not sure it is something I could justify.

If you love the style (and it is a beautiful piece!), why not have a look at Stonearth who do some similar products in beautiful solid woods who might have something in better dimensions? Then you might be able to return or sell on the unit.

Or if you really love it, well - 4 inches isn't really that much, is it??
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Carpentry advice for solid oak vanity unit

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Caldicot Kitchen & Bathroom Centre

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