Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Bonin.
Hi Ben, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It all starts with Ben Bonin, born and raised in southern Orange County, a true craftsman and seasoned general contractor with over 30 years of experience in woodworking and design. His extensive portfolio spans complete commercial build-outs, home remodels, and the meticulous crafting of custom furniture and woodworks. Along the way, Ben developed a passion for specializing in reclaimed woodworking, preserving the character and history of vintage materials.
Now, Ben and Bethany Bonin travel across the United States in search of vintage structures, bringing the timeless qualities of our country’s history into contemporary design. With our new warehouse in San Juan Capistrano, we’re not only serving Southern California but send our unique reclaimed products nationwide.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Some of the struggles have been getting the word out about us and reaching the right people. It seems like the beginning stages of spreading brand awareness never really end, even after being open for 12 years, we still frequently have people coming in who are just now finding out about us.
Another challenge has been finding craftsmen who meet my high standards for woodworking.
On the bright side, we recently moved our shop within a one-month time span with no major hiccups or disruption to lead times.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At U.S. Reclaimed, we specialize in providing high-quality, sustainable reclaimed wood for residential, commercial, and custom projects. We manufacture fireplace mantels, ceiling box beams, custom flooring, paneling, siding, tables, countertops, and more.
One project I’m most proud of was being part of a complete home remodel in a small village in Alaska. I built a beautiful dining table, flooring, custom box ceiling beams, kitchen panels, and installed mudroom cabinetry, and worked on many other pieces. All the deliveries were either by flight or barge. It’s amazing to think that the 100-year-old barn wood traveled from the Midwest to Southern California and then was shipped all the way to Alaska. Projects like this are a true testament to sustainability and the value of reusing beautiful materials.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I don’t anticipate any major shifts or changes in the next 5–10 years. I’ve been working with this material and projects of this scale since I was a teenager, and transitions tend to happen in continuous cycles. That’s what makes reclaimed wood such a timeless product, it never really goes out of style.
Pricing:
- Pricing depends on the size and scope of the project. From flooring to ceiling beams, every piece is hand-selected to ensure quality and character.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.usreclaimed.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usreclaimed/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usreclaimed
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/u-s-reclaimed-san-juan
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@usreclaimed
