Owner-run bespoke joinery workshop in Harwich
Chris Jones Joinery and Carpentry is a Harwich-based workshop specialising in bespoke fitted furniture, kitchens, and internal joinery for homes across North-East Essex. Every piece is designed and built to fit the specific room it's going into - nothing here is off-the-shelf.
Chris has been a joiner for over 20 years. He trained through a three-year joinery apprenticeship, worked another five years with the same firm, then set up Chris Jones Joinery in 2014. As the business grew and moved into VAT-registered work, he formed the limited company in 2022. The workshop takes on kitchens, dressing rooms, fitted wardrobes, alcove cabinets, spray-finished doors, and general bespoke carpentry.
Chris is a full member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen (member 127103), the independent organisation that has vetted skilled tradespeople across the UK since 1980. Membership carries an annual competence review, so it reflects current standards, not a certificate that was earned once and forgotten.
The workshop runs its own spray booth, which is why the finish on doors and cabinet fronts is noticeably better than most on-site painted work. Colours can be matched to any Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, or trade reference, and we use durable PU paint systems that stand up to real-world kitchen use.
Most of our work comes from word-of-mouth referrals across Harwich, Manningtree, Colchester, Dedham, and the surrounding villages. Every project starts with a free written estimate from your photos and info: the more detail you send, the more accurate it is. If you want a formal quote based on a proper measure-up, that is a £60 home survey and is deducted from the final bill. Detailed drawings are included free on projects over £10,000; on smaller projects, drawings are £40 and are also deducted.
Sam Barnett
I am extremely happy with the work Chris carried out in my home. He was very polite, friendly and tidy. Very professional listened to what I wanted done and listened to my ideas. Gave good advise regarding best options.kept me up to date with progress. I totally 💯 recommend Chris. Great work on my bannisters. Old wood bannisters to glass. Love the results.
Cheryl Pilling
Always very pleased with the work Chris does!! Recently fitted a new bannister for us and it looks amazing. Prior to this we've used Chris for fitted wardrobes and new internal doors. Highly recommend!
Stuart Bull
What can I say. Absolutely amazing craftsmanship! Definitely 5 Stars. Can highly recommend Chris.
Susan Tomlinson
This is the third project Chris has done for us .On each occasion he has completed each task professionally and the quality of his work is outstanding and we would definitely recommend his services.Thank you Chris .
Tina Whatling
Outstanding Craftmanship fitting our 10 beautiful internal doors.Truly deserving of a very high recommendation for his exceptional work.
Sharon Banyard
Chris has just completed our kitchen and I cannot recommend him highly enough. His attention to detail and quality of work are second to none. From start to finish it was a pleasure to have him around the house and he would be our first choice for any future projects.
Glynis Smy
We cannot recommend Chris enough! From the first visit to the last day of fitting our kitchen he has been professional, punctual, and has terrific eye for detail. He listened, advised and tolerated our quirks. We have zero on our snag list, we cannot fault a thing! 100% happy to pay our final invoice. Thank you Chris for a stress free transition from drab to fab!
Tim Blyth
Outstanding workmanship in our hallway and stairs highly recommend Chris,he has totally transformed the look of our stairs and cupboard space under stairsThanks Chris
stewart thomson
Chris has carried out 2 projects for us. Installing new internal doors and designing and installing bespoke bookcases. Both projects were carried out to a very high standard, and we are delighted with the results. Chris is an excellent communicator and offers sound advice and guidance. We are so pleased with his craftsmanship that we have commissioned him to design, project manage, and install a new kitchen.
Tim Friese-Greene
Outstandingly meticulous craftsman. Fitted an immaculate bespoke kitchen on time and on budget, took care of every aspect of the install from start to finish. Also sound judgment on creative issues and generating ideas, but never pushy. Am using for other projects now, and would unhesitatingly recommend.
Dianne Mccann
Chris repaired our old stairs with new rails and spindles. It looks absolutely fabulous! He also installed a completely new set of stairs to loft bedroom. Again excellent workmanship, Chris is a perfectionist and a good honest trustworthy man. Thank you Chris, we are delighted with what you have done and would definitely recommend you.
Lynn Farthing
Chris has a very professional attitude, great time keeping, reliable and his craftsmanship and attention to detail are second to none. He has completed two custom built in wardrobes and complete internal door replacements for me. I can highly recommended his services.
Alan Gaythorpe
The work carried out by Chris was first class. He is very professional and empathetic to the needs of his customers. He is also punctual and very tidy. Overall a first class job. He made several bespoke items for us including kitchen cupboards and a wonderful fitted book case. I have no qualms in recommending him to anyone.
Alastair Annie
We have used Chris Jones Joinery recently and wow what a fantastic job they made of our utility room, downstairs loo and storage area. Very professional and their work is immaculate . They are very clean and tidy, on time and very nice people. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again.
Paul & Hayley Dack
We have used Chris Jones Joinery and Carpentry many times and have no hesitation in recommending him for his quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, excellent customer service and high-end finish.
We're based in Harwich and cover across North-East Essex: Manningtree, Colchester, Dedham, Brantham, Lawford, Ramsey, Wix, Thorpe-le-Soken, Kirby-le-Soken, and the surrounding villages. If you're not sure whether you're in range, call us on 07581 090957 and we'll let you know.
Chris has been a joiner for over 20 years , a three-year apprenticeship, five years with the same firm, then Chris Jones Joinery in 2014. As the business grew, he formed Chris Jones Joinery and Carpentry Limited in 2022. He personally designs, builds, and installs every project , you deal with the same person from first visit to final touch-up.
Yes. We hold full public liability insurance and can send the certificate to you before the job starts if you'd like a copy. We're also VAT-registered and a full member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen (No. 127103), the independent trade-standards body.
The workshop and site work runs Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00, and Saturday mornings 09:00 – 13:00. We're closed on Sundays. If you need to reach us outside those hours, WhatsApp is usually the quickest.
Yes. Every project starts with a free written estimate from your photos and info: the more detail you send, the more accurate the estimate. If you want a formal quote based on a proper measure-up, that is a £60 home survey (home visit, accurate measurements, formal quote), and it is deducted from the final bill if you proceed. Detailed drawings are included free on projects over £10,000. On smaller projects, drawings are £40 and are also deducted from the bill. Either way you know exactly what the job costs before any timber is cut.
Most jobs are split: a 30% deposit to secure the workshop slot and cover materials, a payment on delivery to site, and the balance on completion. We accept bank transfer, card, and cash. Everything is written into the quote so there are no surprises.
From measure to installation is typically four to six weeks. Two weeks of that is design and manufacturing in the workshop; installation itself is usually one to two days depending on the size of the run.
Yes. Chris designs, builds, and installs every job personally. You'll have one person accountable from the first site visit to the final touch-up, not a supply-only firm handing the fitting to a subcontractor.
Both. Some customers arrive with sketches; most want us to help. We measure the room, listen to how you'll use the storage, and come back with drawings and a fixed quote before any timber is cut.
We warranty our carpentry work for two years against manufacturing defects. Hinges and runners carry their own manufacturer warranty (usually five years for the quality brands we specify).
Yes. A 30% deposit secures the workshop slot and covers materials, with the balance split between delivery-to-site and completion. Payment schedule is on the quote so there are no surprises.
The quote covers design, all cabinetry made in the workshop, spray finishing, delivery, and installation. Worktops, appliances, taps, and sinks are separate items you can either supply or ask us to source, so pricing is transparent.
Installation is typically one to two weeks on site depending on the size, plus any electrical and plumbing changes. Design and workshop build runs before that and takes another six to ten weeks.
We coordinate the trades - we have qualified electricians and plumbers we work with regularly, and they slot into the schedule at the right point. You get one job to manage, not five.
Yes, if they fit the new layout. We plan the cabinetry around what you want to keep. If you want to change any of it, we can quote for the new pieces too.
Yes. If the existing kitchen layout works but the doors, drawers, and worktops are tired, we can re-front the units, replace the worktop, and re-spray for a fraction of the cost of a full replacement.
A standard-size internal door supplied and hung with three hinges, a latch, and standard handles on an existing lined frame. We take door jobs with a minimum of four doors, so it suits a whole floor or full house rather than a single door. Oversize doors, glazed doors, new frames, and architraves are quoted separately.
Yes. Older houses rarely have anything standard about them. We measure the openings, order or make oversize/undersize doors to fit, and adjust the frames if the openings are out of square.
We spray-finish in the workshop wherever the job allows, which gives a far better finish than on-site painting. If the doors have to be finished in place (for example, in an occupied house we can't take away), we mask up carefully and use a good hand-brushed acrylic.
Included ironmongery is a solid, quality standard set. If you want a specific look - Corston, Croft, From The Anvil, black, chrome, brushed brass - bring us the reference and we'll source it and add the cost to the quote.
Yes. Fire doors need to be hung to the manufacturer's specification with certified hinges, intumescent strips, and the correct gap tolerances. We install them properly so they'll do their job if they ever need to.
A durable PU (polyurethane) paint system, colour-matched to any brand you like - Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Fired Earth, or a trade reference. PU is far more hard-wearing than the emulsion and eggshell most decorators use on cabinetry.
Yes. If the carcases are sound and the layout still works, re-spraying doors, drawer fronts, and end panels is a fraction of the cost of a full replacement and lifts the whole room. We collect, strip, prep, spray, and re-hang.
A small run of doors is around a week; a full kitchen refresh is one to two weeks in the workshop. That includes drying time between coats and proper cure time before we deliver them back.
Where possible we take pieces to the workshop - the spray booth gives a far cleaner, more consistent finish than any on-site setup. Site spraying is possible for larger fitted work but takes longer to mask and protect.
Not under normal use. PU paint is genuinely durable - that's why it's used on cabinetry and joinery. You'd have to hit it with something hard to chip it, and any small mark can be touched in.