Hey,
Getting something you’d like made is doesn’t have to be intimidating. I like a stuctured, step-by-step process that gets you what you want.
Following are a seris of steps that I have found to make a sucessful project.
The fist step is to have a conversation to see if we are a good fit for each other and for your project. Trypically this is either a phone call or sometimes an in person meeting.
If we’d like to work with each other, we start to spec out the project detail and come up with three rough concept sketches. Depending of the complexity of the project, there may be a design fee. If the sketches are acceptable we move on to the next step which to is pay a retainer and formulate a scope of work. Depending on the particular project a retainer may not be necessary.
The project spec covers detailed designs, timeline, materials, and associated costs. It helps set expecations regarding what you will recieve at the end of the project and what it costs. It’s helpful to carefully review the scope of work because later changes can afect the final project cost.
If acceptable, you’ll make a deposit of 50% of the cost of the project. The payment allows purchases of mateials and supplies required for the project and is an indication of joint commitment. This number doesn’t change even if you will be supplying the required materials. The deposit is not refundable following material purchases or after work has started.
Payment starts the clock on the project timeline. Please note that waiting on this step may result in someone elses project getting ahead of yours in the queue.
I like to stay in touch through the fabrication process. I find it helpful to share progress pictures so you can participate in the process. Something that comes up despite best attempts during project specification is fininsh and coloring of the final product.
Getting the color and finish “right” is very important to your satisfaction with the project. Sometimes, this entails a lot of additional work that changes the project cost. As a rule of thumb, finishing is typically about 60% of the labor cost.
This is the fun part, where you recieve what we have worked on. Sometime, but rarely, there are minor tweak to the final product on delivery. This is whan the second part of the project payment is due.
Ideally, there are no surpirses here and you’re thrillled with what you have requested as a result of the previous process.
