These are those little pieces of invaluable info you learn along the way when doing business, living and working in the DR.
Let's kick this off with...
*** Office Furniture on a Budget ***
Skilled labor is cheap in the DR compared to many parts of the world.
You can have custom furniture that's very good quality made at very reasonable prices.
Here in Santo Domingo we have 2-3 very large and very good lumber yards.
Often you can pick up some nice pieces of wood at great prices.
It's amazing how nice a 6x3' well polished mahogany slab can look when made up as a desk.
Plus you get to customize the pieces to your design and requirements.
The desk below is 10x3' and 2" thick. It's a solid slab and weighs a ton.
The total cost including the legs, wood and labor was under US$250 (2 yrs ago).
It will last for years of abuse and still look great.
A lot of what you are about to read below is common sense when having furniture made.
Saying that, I'm amazed how often it's not applied by people here.
1) The best way is to have a photo or sketch of the custom piece you need. Photo or magazine clipping of something similar works best.
2) In most cases you will be expected to buy the raw materials up front. Go and do this yourself, just ask the person doing the work what he/she needs. Buying it yourself can often save you money and you will not be paying for the materials for their best friends job.
3) Make sure you establish the price upfront and be very clear on what you want and the amount your willing to pay. Better still, have a Dominican friend do the negotiating for you
4) Make sure you negotiate hard, especially as many smaller guys will apply a "gringo tax" as soon as they see you.
5) Push to get dates and times for completion. Not an easy task here, but do it anyway.
6) Do not pay for the finished product until you are 100% happy.
7) Find someone that comes with a recommendation. Look at their work, make sure they can handle the job.
8) This is the most important tip! If the job turns out great and your 100% happy, don't tell anyone. If word gets around you have a great wood person or furniture maker, everybody will want to use them and you will never see that person again
If you live and work here and have any tips to share, please post away so we can all learn!
Let's kick this off with...
*** Office Furniture on a Budget ***
Skilled labor is cheap in the DR compared to many parts of the world.
You can have custom furniture that's very good quality made at very reasonable prices.
Here in Santo Domingo we have 2-3 very large and very good lumber yards.
Often you can pick up some nice pieces of wood at great prices.
It's amazing how nice a 6x3' well polished mahogany slab can look when made up as a desk.
Plus you get to customize the pieces to your design and requirements.
The desk below is 10x3' and 2" thick. It's a solid slab and weighs a ton.
The total cost including the legs, wood and labor was under US$250 (2 yrs ago).
It will last for years of abuse and still look great.
A lot of what you are about to read below is common sense when having furniture made.
Saying that, I'm amazed how often it's not applied by people here.
1) The best way is to have a photo or sketch of the custom piece you need. Photo or magazine clipping of something similar works best.
2) In most cases you will be expected to buy the raw materials up front. Go and do this yourself, just ask the person doing the work what he/she needs. Buying it yourself can often save you money and you will not be paying for the materials for their best friends job.
3) Make sure you establish the price upfront and be very clear on what you want and the amount your willing to pay. Better still, have a Dominican friend do the negotiating for you
4) Make sure you negotiate hard, especially as many smaller guys will apply a "gringo tax" as soon as they see you.
5) Push to get dates and times for completion. Not an easy task here, but do it anyway.
6) Do not pay for the finished product until you are 100% happy.
7) Find someone that comes with a recommendation. Look at their work, make sure they can handle the job.
8) This is the most important tip! If the job turns out great and your 100% happy, don't tell anyone. If word gets around you have a great wood person or furniture maker, everybody will want to use them and you will never see that person again
If you live and work here and have any tips to share, please post away so we can all learn!