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Furniture restorer

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Furniture restorers repair and protect pieces of modern and old furniture, returning them as closely as possible to their original condition.

Summary

This occupation is found in the furniture and interiors industry. Furniture restorers repair and protect pieces of modern and old furniture, returning them as closely as possible to their original condition. They normally work with wood, but some pieces may include other materials such as ivory, bone, mother of pearl, pewter, brass , silver and other metals, stone and precious stones and marbles. As well as furniture, they may work on other objects made of wood such as musical instruments. Furniture Restorers tend to work in small workshops, but can also work on historical and heritage sites, such as stately homes or in museums, with national historic or private collections. Employers vary in size from small to large. Furniture Restorers repair, revive and renovate furniture. The work can range from minor repairs, such as re-gluing an arm or drawer, to completely rebuilding a piece, including making identical replacement components. Conservation is the care or treatment that repairs damage and takes action to prevent or slow down further deterioration of an object. Restoration is the care or treatment in which the goal is to bring an object back to its original appearance or function. Activities will vary depending on the pieces being restored or conserved and the needs of the customer.

The broad purpose of the occupation is the restoration and conservation of antique and modern furniture. They use traditional and scientific restoration and conservation techniques. They assess, evaluate and research agreeing the scope of the work with customers. They identify tools, materials, set up and operate machinery. They repair, replicate and restore components and finish surfaces using basic methods. They re-upholster and apply decorative effects. They also carry out basic maintenance and maintain the work area. They identify and solve problems, complete reports and issue aftercare instructions.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other restorers, other craftspeople, suppliers and customers. They typically report to a manager or business owner.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the quality of their own work and meeting customer deadlines and requirements. They also make recommendations to customers on the restoration, treatment options and aftercare instructions. They must work within health and safety and environmental and sustainability regulations. This includes use of appropriate protective clothing and equipment. Depending on the size of the organisation, they may be required to work on their own, or they may work as part of a wider team.

Typical job titles include

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1:

Historical techniques and materials for furniture production still in use today.

K2:

Common project management methods and tools.

K3:

Types of furniture restoration report, including the range of formats, scope, purpose and goals.

K4:

The importance of remaining impartial and how to present balanced opinions and conclusions which are objective and without bias.

K5:

Types of furniture care instructions commonly provided.

K6:

Health, safety and environmental management and risk assessment including Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA), Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 and manual handling.

K7:

Tools and materials used for furniture restoration.

K8:

Traditional methods used to restore furniture pieces.

K9:

Glues – types, properties, preparation, uses and application.

K10:

Furniture assembly techniques including cramps and cramping techniques.

K11:

Joints used in furniture restoration.

K12:

Basic furniture finishing techniques.

K13:

Techniques used to create different decorative effects. For example, patinas, distressing, rag rolling, shabby chic, stipple feathering, liming, crackle, grading, scumble, French polishing.

K14:

Problem solving techniques: diagnostics, root cause analysis, 6 thinking hats, DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control), PDCA (Plan Do Check Act). Fault finding techniques: root cause analysis, 5 Whys’, fishbone, half-split.

K15:

Common furniture restoration faults, snags and issues and how to rectify them.

K16:

Basic Continuous Improvement (CI) techniques e.g. the 5S Kaizen approach.

K17:

Current digital collaboration and communication platforms.

Technical Educational Products

: ST0978: Furniture restorer (Level 3) Approved for delivery

Reference:: OCC0978

Status:: Approved occupation

SOC 2020 code:: 5442 Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5442/03 Furniture restorers
- 5442/01 Cabinet makers (excludes metal)
- 5442/02 Furniture makers and fitters
- 5442/99 Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers n.e.c.

S1:

Conduct assessment of furniture pieces to be restored to establish date or period, materials and finish used and repairs required.

S2:

Use appropriate project management tools and techniques to identify milestones, targets and deadlines.

S3:

Specify furniture restoration requirements for work to be completed.

S4:

Record information.

S5:

Build a complete and accurate picture of original techniques and materials used in producing furniture items to be restored.

S6:

Research information on furniture pieces to be restored and necessary equipment and techniques for restoration.

S7:

Agree furniture restoration work to be carried out with internal or external customers.

S8:

Present conditions and options reports to internal or external customers.

S9:

Prepare comprehensive reports on the furniture restoration work undertaken.

S10:

Provide customers with advice on mitigating further damage to restored pieces.

S11:

Comply with health and safety regulations and procedures.

S12:

Review and select techniques, procedures and methods to undertake furniture restoration tasks.

S13:

Ensure resources (whether physical, financial and or human) are used efficiently.

S14:

Set up, operate and monitor furniture restoration machinery, tools and equipment.

S15:

Maintain work area in a clean, tidy, organised state and free from hazards.

S16:

Carry out structural, surface and finishing repairs to furniture pieces to be restored.

S17:

Re-make and repair joints to furniture pieces to be restored.

S18:

Replace fixtures and fittings to furniture pieces to be restored.

S19:

Replicate and restore furniture components.

S20:

Remove, make, re-lay, and patch veneers to furniture pieces to be restored.

S21:

Re-upholster furniture pieces or components.

S22:

Store furniture restoration materials, tools, and equipment safely in the approved locations.

S23:

Prepare surfaces for finishes and apply finishes using effective techniques and appropriate tools for the kind of materials and type of surface on furniture pieces to be restored.

S24:

Create decorative effects to meet furniture restoration requirements.

S25:

Identify and report faults, snags and issues. Carry out rectification work where required, following a root cause analysis.

S26:

Apply fault-finding and problem-solving techniques to problems.

S27:

Carry out required maintenance responsibilities within acceptable timescales.

S28:

Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.

S29:

Use digital collaboration tools to meet with, share and collaborate with colleagues and customers.

S30:

Communicate (written and verbal) using appropriate digital tools and techniques.

Technical Educational Products

: ST0978: Furniture restorer (Level 3) Approved for delivery

Reference:: OCC0978

Status:: Approved occupation

SOC 2020 code:: 5442 Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5442/03 Furniture restorers
- 5442/01 Cabinet makers (excludes metal)
- 5442/02 Furniture makers and fitters
- 5442/99 Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers n.e.c.

B1:

Take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

B2:

Focus and pay attention to detail.

B3:

Take personal responsibility for sustainable outcomes in how they carry out the duties of their role by reference to environmental good practice.

B4:

Take ownership of work.

B5:

Demonstrate patience, persistence and determination in completing their work.

B6:

Work well with others, demonstrating respect, professionalism and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion when working with internal and external stakeholders.

B7:

Demonstrate a flexible approach to the task, adapting to issues arising in an innovative way when appropriate.

Technical Educational Products

: ST0978: Furniture restorer (Level 3) Approved for delivery

Reference:: OCC0978

Status:: Approved occupation

SOC 2020 code:: 5442 Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5442/03 Furniture restorers
- 5442/01 Cabinet makers (excludes metal)
- 5442/02 Furniture makers and fitters
- 5442/99 Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers n.e.c.