Mark. The word 'bodger' has several meanings. The itinerant chair-leg turner reference is correct. It has also been used for anybody who 'bodged' out wood (cut wood) and used it to make articles of use. In each case a bodger was a skilled workman.

In High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which at one time was a predominantly furniture making town, the name more recently got used for anybody that worked in the furniture making industry. Again, a craftsman.

The more recent usage of the word 'bodger' is indeed as a shoddy workman, and I believe, has originated from somebody who does a 'botched'/'bodged' job.

It's a case of words changing their meaning over time. The more recent usage of 'bodger' has been around, to my knowledge, for at least twenty years. It is not invented by the Guardian.

I hope this helps.

Brian