George Herkes & Son Joinery is a family-run joinery firm based in Tranent, East Lothian, established in 1989. George and his son Ross take on general joinery across East Lothian, including doors, windows, stairs, fitted furniture, kitchens and renovations. We are an East Lothian Trusted Trader, rated 5.0 from 63 reviews. Call George on 07860 211 815 for a free estimate.
Rated 5.0 from 63 reviews · East Lothian Trusted Trader since 2017
Looking for a local joiner in East Lothian? We are George Herkes & Son Joinery, a father and son team working from Tranent for 37 years. Whether it is a single door that will not close, a set of stairs, or a whole room that needs fitting out, we are happy to look at it.
General joinery is the everyday work that keeps a home working and looking right. It covers the jobs that do not fit neatly under one heading, as well as the bigger projects. If you are not sure what to call the job, describe it to George and he will tell you what is involved.
Our photo shows a built-in cupboard under an oak staircase. Awkward spaces like this are where made-to-measure joinery earns its keep, because a standard unit rarely fits. You can see more on our recent work or browse all our services.
We start with a conversation. George comes to see the job, listens to what you want and talks through the options in plain words. He then gives you a free estimate.
Once you are happy to go ahead, we agree what is included, including who supplies the materials and who clears away the waste, so there are no surprises. Then George and Ross do the work themselves.
One customer, James Allan, put it this way: "George responded quickly to my online enquiry, visited the site and provided an estimate which I considered to be fair and reasonable for the work involved."
Often not for simple jobs, but sometimes yes. In Scotland you generally need a building warrant for alterations that change a building's structure, and for conversions. Council guidance lists loft conversions, garage conversions, putting a new door or window into an external wall and changing the size of an opening.
Internal alterations that do not increase the floor area, and do not touch external, separating or load-bearing walls, generally do not need one. A like-for-like replacement window or door within the existing opening is generally exempt too. Listed buildings and conservation areas can have extra rules.
A warrant is generally needed before work starts, and unwarranted work can come up in the home report when you sell. Please check with East Lothian Council for your own property. We are happy to talk it through when we visit.
UK trade guides point to a few popular choices at the moment. Oak and walnut are liked for kitchens and living rooms. Matte, natural-looking hard wax oils are favoured for showing the grain and being easy to repair. Deeper colours such as deep green, navy and charcoal are being paired with timber.
These are trends, not rules. The right choice depends on your home, how you use the space and what you like. George will give you honest advice. As Helen Robertson said of her wardrobe: "My ideas for a fitted wardrobe started out on the back of envelope but George interpreted them perfectly and found ideal solutions for the awkward bits."
We have worked in and around East Lothian since 1989, and we have been an East Lothian Trusted Trader since 2017. Being local means we know the local housing, from older stone properties to newer builds, and we are close by if you need us after the job is done.
Our customers say it better than we can. Steve Newlin wrote: "Honest, hard working and reliable father and son team who are very highly skilled in all elements of their work." Read more on our reviews, rated 5.0 from 63, or see the areas we cover.
“Honest, hard working and reliable father and son team who are very highly skilled in all elements of their work.”
Steve Newlin · Full kitchen refurbishment
More reviews02 · Questions
Look for a firm based locally with reviews you can read and examples of recent work. We are based in Tranent, have traded since 1989 and are rated 5.0 from 63 reviews. Call George on 07860 211 815 and he will arrange a free estimate for your job.
It depends on the job. In Scotland you generally need a building warrant for structural alterations, loft and garage conversions, a new door or window in an external wall, or changing the size of an opening. Check with East Lothian Council before work starts, and we can talk it through at the estimate.
Call George on 07860 211 815 or email info@ghsjoinery.co.uk, or use the contact section of our website. George will arrange to see the job, talk through what you want and give you a free estimate. Estimates and advice are always free.
Ask for a written, itemised quote that separates labour and materials, and check who supplies materials and removes waste. Ask about qualifications and experience. A deposit then staged payments is normal, so be wary of anyone asking for full payment upfront. Ask to see recent work and reviews.
We are based in Tranent and work across East Lothian, including Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Port Seton, Longniddry, Haddington, North Berwick and Dunbar. If you are unsure whether we cover your street, call George on 07860 211 815 and ask.