Having been away for a week’s training (nothing to do with flat packs but all to do with adding another few strings to my bow), I’m back in Jersey for the next week. Or, that’s the plan.

I may well be away the following week, though (that’s from 20 October), so anything you need from me will have to be fitted in this week (13-18 October) or it will probably have to wait until the end of the month.

When this training is complete I’ll probably be able to tell you what it’s all about. Suffice to say that professional skills and great customer service will continue to be the main features of my business. I’m investing in growing my skills so you can get an even better and bigger range of services from me.

Meanwhile, it’s business as usual, for the next week.

Roy

The quiet few days are behind me (see previous post) and in the end I took a late booking for today, Wednesday.

The next days I’m available will be Tuesday and Wednesday, 23 and 24 September, although I may have an hour or two to spare on Monday 22nd.

Potentially exciting developments are in the pipeline – more on that if and when I can – so it could be into October before I’m available again.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask, of course. Just that hesitating could mean you miss out or have to wait longer than usual for my services. Use the enquiry form, phone or text, and I’ll do my best to fit you in.

Roy

After two days spent helping at the Jersey Air Show, and today spend catching up with other things, I actually have a few days next week with no bookings at all.

There are a couple of outstanding jobs that might get scheduled for Monday to Wednesday, but at the moment it means I can be available at very short notice. That has to end next Wednesday, because after that I have some big projects booked that will see me busy most days until the end of the month.

Even then, I might still be able to fit in a few smaller jobs, given enough notice, so do still ask.

But for now, the main message is that my assembly services are available at short notice between 15th and 17th September.

Roy

Only a few days into the month, September already looks like being the busiest month so far for Flatpack Jersey. Since we returned to Jersey last July, word of our assembly services has gradually spread, along with a reputation for excellent service.

As time has gone on, the range of work I’ve been asked to do has also expanded. Although most enquiries are still for flatpack furniture assembly, especially IKEA bedroom furniture, I’ve also been asked to do some more general ‘handyman’ type work.

Garden buildings are also in the repertoire, and while a shed or cabin might seem like a much bigger project than, say, a bedside table, it’s all in a day’s work.  So, as long as the site is prepared in advance and apart from some heavier lifting (mind you, have you ever lifted a double wardrobe with sliding doors?), garden buildings aren’t a problem.

Although September looks like being a busy month, there’s still space in the diary for your assembly job, however big or small it may be. Use the contact form on the right and I’ll get back to you.

I’ve just written and published a free safety guide for those of you who prefer to do your own flatpack assembly. It’s called Ten Top Tips For Completing Your Flatpack Item Safely and Successfully.

Snappy title, eh?

Anyway, you can get it when you go to this page and request your copy. You’ll get immediate access to the PDF for you to save or print.

It could save you time, money and possible injury, so why try to manage without it?

Go here for your copy.

One good thing about this business is that I don’t usually need many tools for any one job. Add to that the small size of the island, and the end result is that I can often cycle to and from assembly jobs with my tools in a pannier or rucksack.

It’s a good way to stay in shape, too, and helps me prepare for a cycle tour I’m hoping to do in September.

So far, so good, but racing home from a small job in town last week I somehow managed to lose my phone. It travelled safely to the job in my saddle bag but bounced out at some point on the way home.

Result: all mentions of ‘call or text 07797 827862’ had to be removed from this website, the Facebook Page and the Facebook ads that I’ve been running for the last two weeks, and replaced with our landline number. It’s amazing how many times the phone number gets mentioned, and I know I missed a few…

But, today we had a call from the police to say my phone had been handed in, and I collected it this afternoon. I already knew it was broken, from trying to call it, but I do now have the SIM card. That’s now in a spare phone, and I’ve just finished (I think) changing all mentions of the phone number back to ‘call or text 07797 827862’.

Of course, you can still use the enquiry form, too, or just email.

Even though I still had calls and email enquiries during the past week, I do feel like I’m back in business now I have the mobile number back again.

And I’ve just remembered I need to update the Twitter page!

I didn’t quite hibernate for the winter but I have been busy with other things, including handling enquiries for my Flatpack Suffolk business.

Today, though, I got back into the swing of things with a nice outdoor furniture set from B & Q.

The Elsa rattan effect set (which might be on offer – see your local B & Q) is actually all plastic but made a sturdy enough two-seater ‘sofa’ and two chairs, plus a low table with storage for the seat pads and cushions (supplied). The parts fit together well, with sturdy plastic bolts (spanner supplied) holding everything in place.

There were no instructions supplied – I’m not sure if there usually are – but it all fitted together nicely and felt sturdy enough for my weight – about 78kg.

Here’s their picture of the set:

Today I finished the job I started yesterday afternoon, assembling some IKEA furniture delivered from the UK.

The client company is based in Guernsey and has recently opened their new St Helier office. Staff there were looking forward to filing away the various documents and folders they have already generated.

Having contacted me about the delivery and assembly of IKEA goods, they ordered online and arranged collection and delivery from a UK branch. It’s a simple process that I can tell you more about if you contact me.

I was able to begin assembly the following day (yesterday) and complete it this morning.

So, there were two GALANT filing cabinets, a low-level BESTA storage unit in two parts, a large EXPEDIT shelving unit and a KNIPPE hat and coat stand.

They didn’t need my help with the five DOKUMENT waste paper bins they’s also ordered. The two filing cabinets were completed yesterday afternoon, after I’d assembled the shelving unit. I’ve done a few of those units by now, so this one was very familiar.

Today’s BESTA storage unit was simple enough, but with a few fiddly details, including optional pedestal legs, three drawers and a glass top.

The two parts (two thirds and one third of the total) had to be in place and totally level before they could be screwed together, or the glass top would not have seated properly.

So, it all took a little while, but there were no dramas. Drawers and doors were simple enough to fit and align.

I’m looking forward to more of the same!