Flood or water damaged fine furniture can often be fully conserved or restored even where the wood is badly warped, split or cupped. Every piece is initially investigated to establish the extent of the deterioration and a decision made on how it might be stopped or minimised. Using their existing wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience, an action plan is agreed, designed to stabilise and maintain the condition of the item before restoration and applying the important final finish. Vincent Reed Ltd have developed a purpose built workshop in East Sussex where items can be carefully dismantled and labelled, timbers straightened and dried in a specially constructed kiln, and the piece reassembled using the correct historic methods.

Vincent insists on using only authentic tools and techniques to preserve the integrity of every item. If necessary, his team are skilled in creating new joints in the traditional way; and if glueing is required, they use only animal glue which can be easily dissolved should the item require any kind of repairs in the future, unlike man-made glues. His philosophy is led by the belief that every renovation must be sympathetic to the original and not alter it in any way.