About the service
I offer a dedicated birdhouse-making service for clients who want a garden or porch accent that is both genuinely functional for wild birds and finished like a piece of decorative woodwork. Every commission starts with a short conversation about placement: sun exposure, nearby cover, and which species are common in your area, because a box built for a chickadee is the wrong box for a wren or a small owl. From there I choose lumber suited to outdoor exposure — cedar, cypress, or kiln-dried pine depending on your budget — since these species resist rot and warping far better than construction-grade offcuts, and I avoid pressure-treated stock entirely near nesting cavities.
Entry-hole diameter is measured and cut to the target species rather than eyeballed; a hole even a few millimeters too wide invites starlings and sparrows to push out the birds the house was built for, so I keep a reference chart on the bench for every commission. Cleaning access is built in as a hinged side or lifting roof panel with a concealed brass catch, so the box can be opened for the annual end-of-season clean without tools or damage to the finish. Ventilation gaps and drainage kerfs in the floor are cut on every unit as standard, not offered as an upgrade.
The decorative side of the work is where each commission becomes one-of-a-kind: relief carving on the gable ends, a routed vine or leaf border, a shingled or shake-style roof built shingle by shingle, or a weathered «cottage» finish achieved with layered stains and hand-distressing. Finishes are exterior-grade — spar varnish, linseed-oil-based sealers, or breathable exterior paint — chosen so the piece can sit outdoors through rain and freeze-thaw cycles for years without peeling. I photograph the blank stages and send progress shots before final assembly so you can approve the carving pattern and color before it's permanent.
Typical turnaround is one to two weeks depending on carving complexity and finish curing time; rush orders are possible for an added fee if the calendar allows. I take commissions for single pieces, matched pairs, or small batches for gifting, and I'm happy to work from a reference photo, a rough sketch, or just a description of the style you have in mind.
Entry-hole diameter is measured and cut to the target species rather than eyeballed; a hole even a few millimeters too wide invites starlings and sparrows to push out the birds the house was built for, so I keep a reference chart on the bench for every commission. Cleaning access is built in as a hinged side or lifting roof panel with a concealed brass catch, so the box can be opened for the annual end-of-season clean without tools or damage to the finish. Ventilation gaps and drainage kerfs in the floor are cut on every unit as standard, not offered as an upgrade.
The decorative side of the work is where each commission becomes one-of-a-kind: relief carving on the gable ends, a routed vine or leaf border, a shingled or shake-style roof built shingle by shingle, or a weathered «cottage» finish achieved with layered stains and hand-distressing. Finishes are exterior-grade — spar varnish, linseed-oil-based sealers, or breathable exterior paint — chosen so the piece can sit outdoors through rain and freeze-thaw cycles for years without peeling. I photograph the blank stages and send progress shots before final assembly so you can approve the carving pattern and color before it's permanent.
Typical turnaround is one to two weeks depending on carving complexity and finish curing time; rush orders are possible for an added fee if the calendar allows. I take commissions for single pieces, matched pairs, or small batches for gifting, and I'm happy to work from a reference photo, a rough sketch, or just a description of the style you have in mind.
