Frequently Asked Questions

We restore virtually any type of wood furniture: dining tables and chairs, dressers, armoires, china cabinets, bedroom sets, desks, bookcases, nightstands, heirloom rocking chairs, pianos, trunks, clocks, headboards, buffets, hutches, and more. We work with both modern pieces and true antiques, including Victorian, Queen Anne, Chippendale, Federal, Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, and Mid-Century Modern furniture. Upholstery work is also available on most case pieces with wood frames.

We serve San Antonio, Austin, and surrounding Hill Country areas, including Boerne, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Helotes, Schertz, Seguin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Lakeway, Bastrop, Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Canyon Lake, Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Marble Falls, and Pleasanton. Visit our locations page for a full list.

Weathersby Guild has more than 15 years of experience restoring fine and antique furniture across Texas. Our professionally trained craftsmen specialize in both traditional woodworking for antiques and modern techniques for contemporary pieces. We currently maintain a 4.8-star rating on Google with 53+ verified reviews. You can read customer stories on our testimonials page.

In most cases, yes. Restoration preserves sentimental and historical value, is typically far less expensive than buying comparable replacement furniture, and saves well-made solid-wood pieces from the landfill. Older furniture was often built with higher-quality hardwoods and joinery than modern mass-produced items, which means a restored heirloom can easily outlast a brand-new replacement. If you're unsure, send us photos for a free evaluation and we'll give you an honest recommendation.

Costs vary widely based on the size of the piece, the type and extent of damage, the finish required, and whether structural repairs are needed. As a rough guide, small repairs and refinishing projects typically start in the low hundreds, while full restorations of large antiques or severely damaged pieces can range into the low thousands. We provide detailed, itemized quotes up front after reviewing photos so there are no surprises. Request a free quote on our get a quote page.

Yes. We provide free quotes based on photos. Simply email or text pictures of your furniture to mark@weathersbyguild.com or call (210) 251-3019, and we can give you an accurate estimate in most cases without an in-person visit. Note that on-site inspections are not free, but photo-based quotes are always complimentary and fast.

Timelines depend on the scope of work. Minor repairs and touch-ups may take 1 to 2 weeks. Full refinishing or moderate restoration typically takes 3 to 6 weeks. Complex antique restoration, fire damage recovery, or severe structural repairs can take 6 to 12 weeks or longer. We provide an estimated timeline with every quote and update you throughout the project.

Restoration is the broader process of returning furniture to a sound, usable condition. It can include structural repair, veneer replacement, color matching, hardware repair, and yes, sometimes refinishing. Refinishing specifically refers to removing the old finish (stain, varnish, lacquer, etc.) and applying a new one. Many projects need both; some antique pieces need only conservation cleaning and should never be fully refinished to preserve their value.

Yes. We offer white-glove pickup and delivery throughout San Antonio, Austin, and the surrounding Hill Country. Our team uses padded moving blankets and proper tie-downs to protect your piece in transit. Pickup and delivery charges are calculated based on distance and the size/weight of the furniture, and are clearly itemized in your quote.

Very little preparation is needed on your end. Empty out any drawers or contents, and remove personal items or loose accessories. Don't attempt any DIY repairs, stripping, or cleaning with harsh chemicals, as these can make the restoration process more expensive and may damage the original finish. Just take clear, well-lit photos of the piece from multiple angles, including any damaged areas, and send them to us for a quote.

Absolutely. Color matching is one of our specialties. Our craftsmen hand-mix custom stains and finishes to match existing furniture, adjoining pieces in a set, or even millwork in your home. We test matches on hidden areas before applying them to visible surfaces. This is particularly important for partial restorations, repairs to one piece in a matched set, or when blending new wood into an existing antique.

Yes, we have extensive experience with insurance claims. We provide detailed written estimates, itemized damage reports, and full photographic documentation that insurance adjusters require. Direct billing is available in many cases, which means less paperwork for you. We regularly work with homeowners insurance, renters insurance, and moving company liability claims.

If your furniture was damaged during a move, document everything immediately with dated photos, and notify your moving company in writing within the time frame specified in your contract (often 9 months for interstate moves). Then contact us for an independent damage assessment. We specialize in moving damage claims and provide the professional repair estimates and documentation needed to support your claim with the moving company or their insurance carrier.

It depends on your policy and the cause of damage. Sudden and accidental events (water leaks, fires, theft, covered storms, moving company mishandling) are often covered under homeowners, renters, or liability policies. Wear and tear and gradual damage are usually not covered. We can help you navigate the process and provide the documentation your adjuster needs to approve the claim.

In many cases, yes. For approved claims, we can coordinate with your adjuster to bill the insurance company directly, which means you typically only pay your deductible. For complex or partially covered claims, we can work with you on payment arrangements. Let us know up front that an insurance claim is involved so we can set up documentation properly from day one.

Yes. Water damage restoration is one of our core specialties. We handle white water rings, cloudy finishes, warped boards, delaminated veneers, lifted or cracked joints, swollen drawers, water stains, and mold growth from flooding or leaks. Time is important. The sooner you get damaged furniture to us, the more we can typically save. Don't try to speed-dry the piece with heaters or direct sunlight, as that usually makes warping worse.

Yes, we provide furniture mold remediation using professional antimicrobial treatments. We safely remove mold from wood surfaces, treat and preserve the underlying wood, and complete the restoration with cleaning, sanding, and refinishing as needed. Please note we only handle furniture mold — not structural or building mold remediation, which requires a licensed environmental contractor.

Yes. We specialize in fire and smoke damage restoration. This includes smoke odor neutralization, removing soot staining, sanding off charred surfaces, rebuilding burned sections with new wood, re-gluing joints that have dried out from heat, and complete refinishing. We work frequently with homeowners and insurance companies after house fires, kitchen fires, and smoke exposure from nearby fires.

Definitely. Pet damage repair is very common. We repair chewed table legs and chair rungs, scratched surfaces, urine staining and odor, damaged veneer, and gouged finishes. For chew damage, we either rebuild the missing wood with color-matched patches or fabricate replacement components to match the original. In most cases, the repair is undetectable.

Yes — preserving value is at the heart of proper antique restoration. We use conservation-first techniques: reversible repairs, hide glue, period-appropriate materials, and when possible we preserve the original finish and patina rather than stripping them. For truly rare or museum-grade pieces, we recommend conservation (stabilizing and cleaning) over aggressive refinishing. We always discuss the tradeoffs with you before any work begins so you can make an informed decision.

Almost always. Deep scratches, gouges, dents, and even missing chunks of wood can be repaired using color-matched wood filler, epoxy, or graft-in wood patches depending on the location and depth of the damage. For veneered pieces, we can lift damaged sections and replace them with matching veneer. After repair and refinishing, the damage is typically invisible.