Before Placing Your Order with Shindelar Carved

At Shindelar Carved, we take pride in creating one-of-a-kind furniture and custom woodworking pieces using premium hardwoods, handcrafted with exceptional attention to detail. Every piece is built to showcase the natural beauty of real wood while providing heirloom-quality craftsmanship designed to last for generations.

Because our furniture is handcrafted from solid wood, no two pieces will ever be exactly alike. Every board tells its own story through its grain, color, texture, knots, and natural character. These are not imperfections—they are what make genuine hardwood furniture unique.

Please review the following standards before placing your order.

Wood & Finish Variations

Every board has its own grain pattern, color variation, mineral streaks, knots, and natural characteristics. As a result, no two pieces of furniture will ever look identical.

Wood species absorb stain differently, meaning even the same stain color will vary from one piece to another. Computer screens, mobile devices, and printed photographs may also display colors differently. Because of these factors, exact color matches cannot be guaranteed.

These natural variations are not defects—they are part of the beauty and authenticity of handcrafted hardwood furniture.

Stain Matching

We do not guarantee exact stain matches from photographs or online images.

If a specific stain color is desired, customers must provide both the stain product and the intended wood species. Even then, natural differences in wood grain, density, and color mean every piece will finish differently.

Natural Knots, Checks & Character

Solid hardwood naturally contains knots, checks, small cracks, mineral streaks, sapwood, and other organic characteristics.

Where appropriate, these features may be stabilized using wood filler or premium epoxy while preserving the natural beauty and structural integrity of the wood.

Over time, additional non-structural checking or small surface cracks may develop as the wood responds to seasonal humidity changes. These are normal characteristics of solid wood furniture and are not considered manufacturing defects.

Handcrafted Variations

Every piece we build is individually handcrafted rather than mass-produced.

Small variations in texture, edge details, grain orientation, joinery, live edges, and overall appearance should be expected and are part of the uniqueness of custom furniture.

Finished dimensions may vary slightly (generally within approximately one inch) due to the handcrafted nature of our work and the movement of solid wood.

Natural Wood Movement

Wood is a natural material that naturally expands and contracts as humidity and temperature change throughout the seasons.

This natural movement may result in:

• Minor gaps 
• Slight movement at joints
• Small surface checks
• Minor changes in tabletop flatness within normal tolerances

These changes are expected and do not affect the structural integrity or longevity of your furniture.

Epoxy Characteristics

Many of our furniture pieces incorporate premium casting epoxy to create custom rivers, lakes, inlays, and artistic features. Every epoxy pour is completed entirely by hand, making each piece truly one of a kind.

Natural characteristics of handcrafted epoxy work may include:

• Slight variations in color, depth, or transparency
• Small decorative air bubbles or pinholes
• Subtle witness lines where epoxy pours meet
• Natural transitions between the wood and epoxy

These characteristics are normal and are not considered defects. They do not affect the strength, durability, or intended function of your furniture.

Although premium epoxy is extremely durable, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, excessive heat, or extreme temperature fluctuations may contribute to slight discoloration or movement over time. We recommend keeping your furniture in a climate-controlled indoor environment and avoiding extended direct sunlight whenever practical.

Because every epoxy pour is unique, no two pieces will ever look exactly alike.

Caring for Your Furniture

To help ensure decades of enjoyment, we recommend the following:

• Maintain indoor humidity between approximately 35%–55% whenever practical.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
• Keep furniture away from fireplaces, HVAC vents, and other direct heat sources.
• Use coasters, placemats, and trivets when appropriate.
• Clean with a soft microfiber cloth and mild soap and water if necessary.
• Avoid harsh chemicals, ammonia-based cleaners, abrasive pads, or silicone polishes unless specifically recommended.

Customer Approval & Custom Orders

Every piece we build is custom-made specifically for you.

Prior to production, customers may receive renderings, design drawings, digital proofs, wood selections, finish samples, epoxy color selections, or other design specifications for approval.

It is the customer's responsibility to carefully review all dimensions, layouts, spelling, engravings, colors, wood species, epoxy colors, edge profiles, and design details before granting final approval.

Once approval has been provided and production has begun, changes may not be possible. If changes can be accommodated after production begins, additional labor, materials, engineering, and scheduling charges may apply.

Because every project is handcrafted using natural materials, slight artistic interpretation may occur during construction. While we strive to closely match approved renderings and samples, variations in grain, color, live edges, figure, and epoxy characteristics make every finished piece unique.

Our Philosophy

If you're looking for perfectly uniform, factory-produced furniture, solid hardwood furniture may not be the right choice.

At Shindelar Carved, we celebrate the natural beauty of real wood and believe its individuality is what transforms furniture into something that can be enjoyed for generations.

Lead Times

All lead times are estimates.

While we work diligently to complete projects on schedule, lumber availability, material suppliers, custom components, production schedules, weather, shipping carriers, and unforeseen circumstances may affect completion dates.

Quality craftsmanship always takes priority over speed.

If your furniture is needed for a specific event or deadline, please discuss your timeline with us before placing your order.

By placing an order with Shindelar Carved, you acknowledge that you have read and accepted these Cosmetic Standards and all other applicable terms and conditions.

Electronic purchases and online orders constitute acceptance of these policies.

Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty

At Shindelar Carved, we proudly stand behind the quality of our craftsmanship.

We provide a Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty to the original purchaser covering defects in workmanship and structural construction under normal residential use.

1. Coverage

This warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship that substantially affect the structural integrity or intended function of the furniture under normal indoor residential use.

Examples include:

• Structural joinery failures
• Manufacturing defects
• Hardware failures resulting from manufacturing defects

Coverage applies only to the original purchaser and only to products purchased directly from Shindelar Carved.

2. Exclusions

This warranty does not cover damage resulting from:

• Abuse or misuse
• Neglect or improper maintenance
• Commercial use unless otherwise agreed in writing
• Outdoor use
• Excessive moisture or flooding
• Fire, natural disasters, or acts of God
• Moving or improper transportation
• Unauthorized modifications or repairs
• Accidents
• Improper cleaning products
• Normal wear and tear
• Natural color changes from sunlight or age
• Seasonal wood movement
• Small checks, cracks, or movement inherent to solid wood
• Natural epoxy characteristics described above

These conditions are considered normal characteristics of handcrafted furniture and are not manufacturing defects.

3. Warranty Claims

If you believe your furniture has a qualifying defect, please contact Shindelar Carved as soon as reasonably possible.

Photos, measurements, videos, or additional documentation may be requested.

If the claim qualifies, Shindelar Carved may, at its sole discretion:

• Repair the furniture
• Replace the affected component
• Replace the furniture with one of comparable value if repair is not practical

4. Warranty Determination

Shindelar Carved reserves the exclusive right to determine whether a condition qualifies as a manufacturing or structural defect covered under this warranty.

5. Warranty Limitations

This warranty:

• Applies only to the original purchaser
• Is non-transferable
• Covers repair or replacement only
• Does not include transportation, shipping, delivery, installation, removal, refinishing, or incidental expenses

6. Disclaimer

Except as expressly stated herein, Shindelar Carved disclaims all other warranties, express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Shindelar Carved shall not be liable for incidental, indirect, consequential, or special damages arising from the use of its products.

7. Governing Law

This warranty shall be governed by the laws of the State of Iowa.

By purchasing furniture from Shindelar Carved, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty.

Return & Cancellation Policy

Deposits

A deposit is required before production begins on all custom furniture orders.

Deposits reserve production time, cover design work, and allow us to purchase lumber and other custom materials specifically for your project.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, deposits are non-refundable once materials have been ordered or production has begun.

Order Cancellations

Orders cancelled before materials have been purchased may qualify for a partial refund of the deposit, less any design work or administrative costs already incurred.

If an order is cancelled after production has begun, Shindelar Carved reserves the right to retain the deposit and recover the cost of labor performed, materials purchased, and work completed through the cancellation date.

Returns at Delivery

If you are dissatisfied with your furniture upon delivery, you may refuse delivery at that time.

To qualify:

• Notify delivery personnel immediately.
• Do not sign the delivery acceptance.
• The furniture must remain in its original delivered condition.

Once delivery has been accepted and the delivery receipt has been signed, the sale becomes final.

Non-Returnable Items

Because every project is custom-built, we cannot accept returns or provide refunds for:

• Change of mind
• Fit within space
• Aesthetic considerations
• Epoxy color selections
• Built-in cabinetry
• Permanent installations
• Personalized engravings
• Custom logos or artwork

Damage During Delivery

Any shipping or delivery damage must be documented and reported immediately at the time of delivery.

Failure to report visible damage upon delivery may affect warranty eligibility.

Manufacturing Defects

Manufacturing defects discovered after delivery will be handled under the terms of our Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty.

Our Commitment

Every piece we build represents our name, our craftsmanship, and our commitment to quality.

Our goal is simple:

To build furniture that your family will proudly own and use. If a problem ever arises because of our workmanship, we'll make it right.