If you’re wondering, “Why would I want to work with MP Woodworks?”, you’re asking the right question. And since I’m the only one here, I’ll answer it. All in a short, no frills, easily digestible monograph on the subject you can read in about three minutes or less. We have no secrets. Or rather, we do. It’s just that “if you can’t share your secrets with your friends, what kind of friend are you?”

Reason one: We’re easy to work with

Honestly, we’d rather be your friend than your client, but we also need to eat. Which means money eventually has to change hands. Until then, it’s just you and me and whomever else you want to invite to the process talking through what you want, what you need, and how to make it happen. We hash things out mano a mano until we’re both confident in each other’s ability to hold up their respective end of the bargain. We’re good with people. And kids. And dogs and cats. And the occasional hamster.

Reason two: We actually communicate. Well.

I’m a professional writer in my other life. That means I will call you back. I will answer your emails. I will keep you in the loop. I know words and I’m not afraid to use them. No offense to most builders or tradespeople (you know I love you), but communication isn’t usually their strong suit. If something goes sideways on a project, a material delay, a miscut, a rebuild, we have problems sourcing materials due to ill-conceived geopolitical trade wars and tariffs, you’ll hear it from me directly, along with a plan to fix it, work around it, or change it.

Reason three: We specialize in small projects

Our specialty is in the smaller projects. Actually, the smaller the better for us. There’s way more of those out there for the picking than the bigger ones. It’s always struck us, just from our personal experience how difficult it is to get a small project done that is either beyond one’s capabilities or expertise, or otherwise. We’ve had many of these experiences. 

We once had a piece of house siding come off in a storm, way up near the peak of the roof on the gable end that was in a difficult, precarious spot to fix by your narrator. I don’t do roofs and overly tall ladders. It took 10 years to get it fixed. No roofing or siding company wanted to come out and do basically a 15- minute job. So, we lived with our shame until we finally found someone that said I can do that. No sweat. 

I share this little anecdote because it encapsulates one of our operating principles in that the small projects are often the ones that mean the most to people. So, we’ve carved out a niche for ourselves to make those projects a reality for those in need.

Small(er) cabinet and built in projects; trim carpentry and repairs; and pretty much anything furniture or wood object wise within reason. That’s what we focus on mainly. But of course, if you have something outside those general domains that has to do with wood or things made out of it, we’re open to discussing the possibility with you. 

Reason four: Honesty about limits

Here’s what I won’t do: line up and crank out a dozen matching dining chairs. Not my forte, not my setup. Could I build a one-off? Sure. But I won’t tell you yes to something I know you’d be better off taking to a larger shop or someone who really specializes in something like chair making on a production level. If I can’t do it, or can’t do it well, I’ll say so up front and not waste our time and your time in some foolish quest to find the holy grail, or a decent shrubbery.

Reason five: Quality above all else

Another thing that you may want to know about working with us and why that’s a good idea is that our goal is to build quality pieces that will, we hope, outlast you. We’re not interested in making dumpster-grade furniture and objects. We strive to build things well, that look good and serve the purpose for which they were created without fail, for however long the person chooses to use said thing. We hope that is a very long time but you have to have a reasonable outlook on this.

Why? Because tastes change. Styles change. People change. What people do with the stuff we make for them is their own business. If someone asks us to build a dining table for them and then in five years, they give it to a family member or donate it to the local charity because they are moving and the new place won’t accommodate the size or the look or what have you, we don’t care. But we firmly believe the piece won’t be abandoned, discarded, or bartered away because it wasn’t made with care, quality materials, and methods.

The philosophy part

Perfection? Doesn’t exist. Not in woodworking. Not in anything, really. What does exist is doing the best work you can, with the materials in front of you, and knowing when a piece is ready to leave the shop. That doesn’t mean I don’t care. It means I care enough to build something solid, useful, and worthy of keeping, and not chasing some mythical flawless form that doesn’t survive contact with humidity or your children or your dog, cat, or hamster.

The Promise (Not in a legally-binding contractual sense, mind you, but the rhetorical, between friends kind. However, be advised: Just by reading these words you agree to old harmless MP Woodworks in all instances, scenarios, and possible worlds, up to and including the best of, for any harm this website and the totality of its contents may cause you now or in the future tense, your assigns, heirs, or any legally recognized advocate. Force majeure is in effect in perpetuity.)

We’re probably not going to be the cheapest or the fastest option. See. That’s honesty right there for you. But we will be the option that communicates, that takes on the projects others ignore, that tells you the truth about what’s possible and delivers work we stand behind 100%. If that sounds like the kind of shop you want to work with, then pull up a chair.