When I’m not writing joinery articles, I run a joinery business. My business consists of myself and a small Ford Transit van full of tools, which are collectively worth more than the van itself.

I do Joinery because I love it! I enjoy nothing more than driving around looking at jobs, meeting new people, and trying my best to meet their expectations or where possible exceed them. I first started out making things on my family farm using deconstructed wooden pallets.

One of my biggest accomplishments was in 2022 when I won a Houzz best of service award. I have been working with Houzz for a number of years now. It is a really great place to show off my own work, and see the fantastic work of other builders and designers.

Sam Wood in Clitheroe, Lancashire, UK on Houzz

If you want to see some of my handy work you can find it showcased on Houzz, just check out my profile at Houzz.co.uk/pro/samwoodjoiner.

Me – Upvc Window Fitting

Awards

  • Ribble Valley Business Award winner 2019 – Sole Trader Award
  • Winning advanced team of the Rotary BAE Systems design and technology Tournament
  • Alan Mattic Prize for Design Technology
  • Accrington and Rossendale College Carpentry and Joinery Institute of Carpenters Learner of the Year Award 2011/12.

Background

I have a firmly rooted background in carpentry and joinery. I received my first Joinery Qualification back in 2012.

I soon progressed from pallets (which is now quite fashionable), to garden gates and shoe racks and eventually decided to take a joinery apprenticeship at Accrington and Rossendale College. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in college and received distinctions in all my modules.

I was fortunate enough to work with a highly skilled joiner during the rest of the week, who I stayed with throughout my apprenticeship. He inspired me to work hard and encouraged me to take on my own jobs. I learnt a lot from him, including the skills and attitude I needed to make the big decision to branch out (no joinery pun intended) and set up my own business.

After doing this for over 15 years I now feel like I would enjoy passing on some of my joinery knowledge to more people. Hopefully, I can provide some useful joinery insights so that other people can avoid the mistakes I did, and believe me there have been a few along the way.

Highlights

  • Best of Houzz Service Award 2022
  • Ribble Valley Business Award winner 2019 – Sole Trader Award
  • Worked on a Grade II-Listed historic Textile Mill renovation project as a Carpenter and Joiner. For a full year, I worked closely with other trades, converting the historic Holmes Mill into a leisure development consisting of a Brewery, Hotel and Restaurant, Bar, Everyman Cinema, Offices and Food hall.
  • Prince’s Foundation Summer School 2014
Princes Foundation Summer School 2014

A few years after college I still had the desire to learn different skills, alongside perfecting my own woodworking skills.

I was accepted into the Prince’s Foundation Summer School. The trust is headed by the Prince of Wales and it aims to keep traditional craft skills alive. It gave me the opportunity to try out a range of traditional techniques including oak framing and lime plastering. This has helped to give me a broader understanding of different construction methods.

Qualifications

  • ILM Award in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Level 3
  • Ascentis Level 1 Award in Personal Development (QCF) 2011
  • ASET Level 1 Certificate in Personal Safety Awareness 2008
  • Completed the Princes Foundation Building Skill in Craft Summer School

Personal interests

In my spare time, I enjoy snowboarding, and this has given me the opportunity to travel abroad to progress in the sport. I also enjoy downhill mountain biking, this helps me to keep fit and lets me challenge myself to overcome the various jumps and drops. Football has always been important to me, I played for my local town and school team for a number of years and I still continue to play once a week.

Sam Wood – On the Tools

Education

  • Bachelor of Science BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Grenfell-Baines School of Architecture, Construction and the Built Environment.
  • HNC in Construction Technology From Accrington and Rossendale College
  • Higher National Certificate in Construction (HNC), Accrington and Rossendale College, September 2012 – June 2013 Grade Merit/Distinction
  • NVQ Level 3 in Carpentry and Joinery, Accrington and Rossendale College, September 2009 – June 2012, Passed With Distinction.

Well, I think that’s everything, you need to know to get up to speed. If you want to get in touch you can email:

Sam@theblokecave.co.uk

or get in contact by phone or social media.

Phone: 07892797552

Follow me on: Facebook.com/SamWoodJoiner

Check out my joinery photo portfolio at: Houzz.co.uk/pro/samwoodjoiner