Robert has worked on and off for me for about 10 years now.
What type of work has been involved?
Robert’s done many different jobs for me in two, completely different houses. The first house was modern and new and more recently in my current home which is around seventy years old. He’s refitted our utility room, built bedroom wardrobes, a dressing table with a mirror behind it, shelving units in a few of our bedrooms and exterior doors for brick buildings.
Robert’s done our floorboards, skirting boards, de-creaked floors and ripped out our old kitchen and put in a new one. The kitchen project was a big one. Robert built and installed the cabinets, larder, everything, including down to the knobs. Robert saw what he could do with the available space and designed it all.
One job we had Robert do was to cut down and make smaller a table my husband and I adore. It was a table we brought with us from another property and it was too big for the new room. We had to either cut it down or get rid of it. I called Rob, he cut it down and you wouldn’t even know that it had been done.
How did you choose Robert Barnes?
A mother from my daughters playgroup had used Robert to put in a wardrobe and I went to the house and had a look before I called Rob. Something you notice about Robert early on is that he’s not greedy, he gives you various options and prices and lets you decide what is best for yourself.
Have you definite ideas in mind before you speak to Robert Barnes about a job?
For some things I do like the cutting down of the table, but for things like my kitchen, I had no idea. I called him in to the existing kitchen and said, “Rob what can we do here?” I have a few ideas about the work I want done but I look to Rob for his input as well.
Did Robert introduce new ideas?
He does, yes. If I need anything done, I ask Robert what he thinks and he’ll provide me with drawings. Robert has a good eye and he’s very good at giving advice about what would work well in a given space. He’s very patient in talking you through things.
How did the project run?
Robert has a broad base of skills and his work is amazing. Robert’s very punctual, incredibly polite and he’s nice to have in the house because he repects it. The communication during the project is always clear and there’s no hazy line. You always know where things stand. He’s reliable, I trust him in my home and he’s so neat and tidy, always cleaning up.
What was the biggest benefit to you of using Robert Barnes?
Robert is someone I know I can phone when I need something done. I don’t even get quotes anymore, I just get Rob.
What’s your favourite part now?
My kitchen, I can’t believe how practical it is. But really, I’ve been happy with everything Robert has done.
Would you recommend Robert Barnes to others?
I’ve recommended Robert to a lot of people who have since used him and been happy as well. Anyone who gets Robert won’t be disappointed, he’s great. Robert’s done so many jobs for me over ten years and two houses and he’s never let me down once.
Any tips for other people?
Live in a house for a while and get to know it before you decide to make changes. Take your time. There are jobs that I’ve had done that I’m so glad I didn’t get started on straight away. By waiting, I did them differently than I would have done, before

Customer reference for Robert Barnes as told by Christine Monk from Dublin, 8
What was involved?
Robert designed, built and installed a wall of storage in my bedroom. The bedroom layout was impractical and Robert created a wall with built in wardrobes, bedside tables, places for lamps, bookshelves, etc. It’s a wall of carpentry and we love it. Robert also did some other jobs around the house as well.
Once we had Robert in the house we started thinking what else do we need fixed. Robert fixed our stairgate that our two year old had broken. We had tried to do it ourselves and made a mess of it. When Robert fixed it, it was perfect. He also fixed a wooden pullout table in our kitchen which was damaged and a cupbard that wouldn’t close properly.
There was nothing we could ask Robert that he was unable to do and everything was done beautifully.
How did you choose Robert Barnes?
I was speaking to a friend about wanting to find a person who could do carpentry work and she knew someone who had used Robert to build a walk-in wardrobe from a separate room. She said that Robert was brilliant. Much to my husbands dismay, I went with that recommendation without consulting other carpenters myself. I gave my husband two weeks to get other quotes if he wanted and when he didn’t do anything about it so I chose Robert.
Had you definite ideas in mind before you talked to Robert Barnes?
I didn’t really know what needed to be done. We had a set of problems and asked Robert to suggest solutions.
Did Robert introduce new ideas?
Robert came up with everything. He gave us suggestions and ideas we never would have come up with ourselves. I also really appreciated the fact that Robert understands that people have variable budgets and he gave different price points depending on what we wanted done and the quality of materials he could use. In the end, we went with the top quote because it was the most practical but it was nice to be given the different options.
In addition to the work he did in the bedroom, we showed Robert different things in the house that needed to be done. He explained what we could do as far as fixing it ourselves or if we wanted, he could do it. It was nice to deal with someone who wasn’t like, how many jobs can I do to make the most money. Robert seemed more concerned with how he could make us the most happy.
How did the project run?
I couldn’t fault any of it and the price for the work was exactly what was in the original quote. Robert was extremely reliable, pleasant and a nice person to have in your house. I work from home and you know how you think, oh god I’ve got a workman coming in for the day? It wasn’t like that with Robert. Robert had prebuilt the units and just needed to install them. He came in at 8:00 in the morning and finished the whole project by 6:00. The finished product is absolutely perfect and exactly what we wanted.
What was the biggest benefit to you of using Robert Barnes?
You know how sometimes you just get a sense about people? I knew from the minute I met Robert that he would do what he said he would do. He’s an honest person, good to deal with and I was happy to have him in the house both when I was there and when I wasn’t. I trusted him completely.
Would you recommend Robert Barnes to others?
Yes I would

Customer reference for Robert Barnes as told to pickapro by Bernie Chubb from Walkinstown,

What was involved?
Robert did the attic up for me. I didn’t need a full conversion, I just wanted it floored, insulated and access to it. Unfortunately for me, I have an attic with a lot of eaves which forces you to duck everywhere and a water tank in the middle. Robert floored all the available space, put a light up for me, built the stairs and attic door. I also wanted the door and access to the attic to be moved to a bedroom because the old opening in the landing was in such a place that you bumped your head on the wood when you climbed up.
How did you choose Robert Barnes?
I had two people out look at the job before I spoke to Robert. The first guy was a no hoper, the second was very good and I would have gone with him except that I got a personal recommendation for Robert from my daughter. Robert did a lot of work for her last year and it was superb. I didn’t ask Rob initially because I didn’t think my attic was a big enough job for him but it turned out that he was happy to do it.
The work Robert did for my daughter I can only describe as spectacular. He ripped out three bathrooms and put them back into an ultra modern state. The fussiest person wouldn’t be able to find a flaw in it. My daughter had found out about Rob from a personal recommendation as well. She was going to spend a lot of money on top quality materials and you don’t want to hand that job over to someone who’s going to botch it.
Had you definite ideas in mind before you talked to Robert Barnes?
Yes, I had done a bit of research on it beforehand so I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted done.
Did Robert introduce new ideas?
Robert had good ideas for the design and build of the attic stairs as well as an insulated attic door to retain the heat.
How did the project run?
I can’t fault any of it. It may not have been a major job but it was important to me and if it wasn’t done right it would have been awful. Robert did a super job. He came and had the whole job done in a day and it’s pin perfect. Robert used top quality materials and built a beautiful stairs leading to the attic with a handrail on it. It’s very sturdy and there’s nothing rickety or unsafe about it.
The insulation in the attic is excellent and the attic door not only fits perfectly, it’s insulated as well.
What was the biggest benefit to you of using Robert Barnes?
For me it was Robert’s attention to detail. He’s got a fine eye and everything is perfect. Robert’s also very nice and that makes a big difference. He’s the kind of person you’re happy to hand your keys to.
You might have someone in your house for weeks and if it’s not pleasant, its hard. I’ve had guys in before who were recommended and they did a good job but doors would be left open, slammed and it’s those types of things that adds to the stress.
What’s your favourite part now?
The stairs and the attic door. It’s exactly what I wanted.
Would you recommend Robert Barnes to others?
I would unhesitatingly recommend Robert to anybody. You couldn’t get a nicer person and I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do. In addition to the three new bathrooms Robert did for my daughter, he also built wall to wall wardrobes for her. There’s not a lot of people who have that type of scope. Robert can do all of it and all of it well. He’s very precise.
Any tips for other people?
Educate yourself and do some research beforehand. I thought the project was as simple as just flooring the attic but the first guy who saw it wanted to move the water tank as well and that would have really added to the cost. It was then that I decided to get more involved and to think about what I really wanted done

Customer reference for Robert Barnes as told to pickapro by Vicki O’Shea from Dublin, 6 W

What was involved?
Robert has done a couple of jobs for me. He redesigned and modernised three bathrooms for me and built a wall to wall wardrobe from scratch in my bedroom. Robert made great use of all the available space. I don’t live in a large house and every little bit helps. I have a chimney breast in my room and Robert said in a lot of new houses there’s extra space behind the wall. Robert was able to add an additional seven inches to the room I did’t have before. It’s made such a big difference.
How did you choose Robert Barnes Carpentry?
Robert is a friend of a girl I work with. He had done some kitchen work for her and she recommended him to me. When I saw the quality of the kitchen and other photos Robert had with him, I knew he was the one I wanted to go with. The quality of his work is unbelievable.
Had you definite ideas in mind before you talked to Robert Barnes?
I had no idea except that I wanted the bathrooms modernised. I did know that I wanted wall and ceiling tiles but that was about it.
Did Robert introduce new ideas?
Robert came up with all the ideas. He helped me with the design and with picking the wall units. Since Rob had done his own house he was knowledgeable about the different suppliers and what was available.
How did the project run?
No problems at all. I’m one of the fussiest people you could meet and I trusted Robert so completely that I went to Spain for two weeks and let him have the run of the place. Robert kept me fully informed the whole time and I always knew where the project stood. The job went slightly over schedule but I didn’t mind in the least, Robert wanted to do the job right and not rush things. Another nice thing about Rob and the guy who was working with him was that they really respected your house. Everything was covered up and kept clean, I never had to worry about a thing.
What was the biggest benefit to you of using Robert Barnes?
The biggest benefit was that Robert was good to deal with, trustworthy, reasonable on price and did an excellent job. Another thing I appreciated was his honesty. I mentioned a couple of jobs to Rob I thought he might be interested in doing but he deferred and told me I should speak to somebody else about them. He wouldn’t take on a job just for the money like some people would. If it’s not his specialty, if it won’t come out perfect, Rob won’t do it. I really respected that. When I try to explain how spectacular everything came out, it’s hard. It’s absolutely perfect. Everyone who has been in the house to see the work has said so as well.
What’s your favourite part now?
I love all the work that Rob’s done for me but if I had to choose, I’d say the bathrooms because you use them so much. My new bathrooms are gorgeous, they look like something you would find in a fancy hotel.
Would you recommend Robert Barnes to others?
Absolutely and I have done. I recommended Robert to my mother when she got her attic floored, insulated and ladder stairs done. She’s delighted with Robert and the work that he did. When I said before that I was the fussiest person, She’s the fussiest person alive. I’ll get Rob back in a second if I need anything else done.
Any tips for other people?
I really don’t because with Rob I didn’t have to worry about a thing. He was recommended to me and took care of everything.

I can’t stress enough the meticulousness of Robert’s work, you couldn’t have asked for a better finish.”
Customer reference for Robert Barnes as told to pickapro by Gina Halpin from Celbridge, Co Kildare

What was involved?
It was a full kitchen renovation. The old kitchen needed to be ripped out and the new one installed. We got all new cabinets, a worktop, an island, the floor was tiled and new floorboards put in. The walls aso needed to be replastered and the gas cooker was moved to a new location.

How did you choose Robert Barnes?
we wanted done he quoted a price that was less expensive than Ikea so we went with him. Another factor in choosWe Googled kitchen fitters and found Robert’s profile on the pickapro website. Originally we had thought of going with Ikea and their kitchen installers but their price was a little too much. After speaking to Robert about the work ing Robert was that he could do everything. That was a huge plus for us. We wouldn’t have to get a separate plumber, plasterer, tiler and carpenter. We were also very impressed with Robert’s manner, he really listened to us about what we were hoping to achieve.

Had you definite ideas in mind before you talked to Robert Barnes?
Yes, we had a design in mind and Robert worked with us in that regard.

Did Robert introduce new ideas?
He did, yes. Robert was helpful with design input, the quality of the cabinets and the proper spacing within the kitchen. That was important because we had a new island, fridge and the gas cooker was moved to a new location. Lots of good, practical advice.

How did the project run?
Better than we could have hoped for. Robert listened to us about what we wanted and how we wanted things done. Robert was absolutely brilliant. It was so important for us that one person was able to do everything. I have kids and I work so I didn’t have time to wait for a plasterer to come at 2 o’clock and a plumber coming at another time. Robert project managed the whole job and we didn’t have to do a thing. He arranged for the plasterer, the plumber and when the gas cooker needed to be moved, he got the Bord Gais guy in to do it. Robert handled the rest of the work himself.

Robert was thorough, meticulous and the finish was fantastic. The whole project took less than a week, Robert started on a Monday and by Friday afternoon was finished.

What was the biggest benefit to you of using Robert Barnes?
The biggest benefit was Robert’s professionalism and the quality of his work. I can’t stress enough the meticulousness of his work, you couldn’t have asked for a better finish. We got porcelain tiles for the floor and my husband after checking closely said they were absolutely perfect and level.

What’s your favourite part now?
The tiling work on the floor. Robert took such time over it and it shows, it’s smooth, clean and flawless. The cut of the worktop is perfect as well.

Would you recommend Robert Barnes to others?
I would highly recommend Robert.

Any tips for other people?
Take your time and research the design before getting the work done. We had shopped around and did a lot of online kitchen design research before contacting Robert. We’re very happy that we took our time to get the design just right because it’s something that we’ll be using for years.