If you already have a written plan or design for a piece, we'll be happy to provide an estimate for its construction and installation. If, as is more commonly the case, you'd like us to design the piece as well, here's the procedure we generally follow.

First, we will look at the space the piece eventually will occupy so we can get a better sense of its purpose. Then, we will come up with three or four concepts for your review, which we will present at our shop or on site, whichever you prefer. Visiting the shop is helpful because it allows you to see the various woods, finishes and other materials that you can choose from. For this part of the job, we'll require a design retainer which, if you proceed to have the piece built and installed, will be applied to the final cost.

Then, based on your response to the preliminary concepts and your material preferences, we'll devise a final plan and schedule a time to meet and discuss it. At that meeting, we will establish a formal contract, to which the retainer contract will be applied, and construction will proceed.

But the beginning of construction doesn't mean the plan is carved in stone. Customers are encouraged to visit the shop while the piece is being produced, just to make sure it is proceeding as they had expected.

Regarding production schedules, smaller pieces usually take between 12 and 14 weeks, after plan approval. Larger items are between 16 and 24 weeks.