How much is my project going to cost?

To 99% of all prospective clients this is the most important and common question that I am asked. The short answer is "I don’t know." The problem with pricing custom work is that it does not exist until it is completed. Consider that I have no idea what the piece is about , I have not seen the space it goes in, I know nothing about the client...... on and on. The reason this site exists is to educate prospective clients on how much their project may cost before they call me.

Think of commissioning custom work as if you were going to buy a new car. You call the dealer on the phone and say " I am interested in buying a new car. How much is it? " A smart salesman will say " We have great new cars for $8000.00. " You get excited and go to the dealership, meet with the salesman, and look at this fabulous car. It’s a bone stock strippo with skinny tires and no radio. You than explain that you were thinking of ( insert all your criteria here ) and the salesman tells you " We have just what your looking for, starting at $30,000.00." You explain that you don’t want any of the cars on the lot, you need one specially built just for you. How much do you think that will cost?

I am not going to give you lowball prices to get you to my shop only to tell you that the real cost on your job is two or three times what we talked about on the phone. Unfortunately, unless someone provides me with a scale drawing with all the project criteria I can not accurately price a job. There are many photos of past projects in this site, please look them up and get a feel for how much my custom work costs.

I can sometimes give rough guestimates given enough information. The only way to give hard contract prices is to complete the design phase of your project or price scale working drawings provided by the client.

Can you come to my house / business and look at my space to give me an estimate?

Yes and no. I can and I will if the client understands that when I am looking at their space and proposing solutions that I am doing part of the design phase. I charge a fee for that process and therefore expect to collect one at that first meeting. I can’t if the customer just wants to see how much things cost ( see first FAQ ) . I always like the first meeting to be at my studio. There is no charge for this orientation meeting, and it handles several things at once. First off I am not just some contractor with a tape measure and a pickup at your house. I can show work in progress, actual pieces of wood, an extensive portfolio.... Prospective clients who invest time to meet me and discuss work conveys to me that they are committed and serious about their project. I have never had a interested client refuse to meet me at the shop unless they have already decided to use me.

How long will my project take?

There are two considerations in this question. The design phase and the construction phase. I usually complete the first draft of working drawings in 1 -2 weeks from receipt of a design deposit. Construction time will be determined by the scope and scale of the project. Construction start up will be determined by the amount of work that I am committed to completing. Clients needs are always carefully considered, I will always be up front about delivery times. In general if you pay a deposit you will have a complete project 4-6 weeks if it is routine ( small cabinets and furniture ), 6-8 weeks if it is large ( 15’ entertainment center ),

8-12 weeks if it is a major ( kitchens, libraries... ). Each project will vary and I will explain my current situation before I take any deposit money.

How am I going to know that I will like the design after I pay for it?

You don’t and neither do I. I will make every effort to get it right on the first draft. If you do not like any thing that I proposed you can tell me. I am designing for your space not mine, you have to live with it not me. If clients have a problem I will change it, I will redesign it to their specifications. Drawings are a lot easier to change than the pieces themselves , so feel free to speak up and get what you like. I like to think of my business as a candy store, you can have anything you want, you just have to tell me and have the budget to support it.

What happens if we don’t build what we paid you to design?

Your design deposit will be charged out and you will get a copy of the drawings. There will be no refunds unless there was no design work done. The fee I charge for design is based on the time I estimate to complete a site visit and a draft of the working drawing.

What happens to the design fee when we begin construction?

It will be deducted from the down payment ( see sample contract ) and applies to the project price.

We don’t know what to do with our space. What should we do?

You actually do know what to do with your space you probably just can’t verbalize it. I know if I proposed a $20,000.00 leopard skin credenza for your space you would know if you wanted that or not. The design phase usually determines function based on the needs and wants of the client. After function is decided we can plug in the cosmetics. The clients architecture, furniture, style ... is all considered at the first site visit. After twenty-eight years of designing and building custom work, I have learned the questions to ask that will determine a concept worth developing.

When can you start?

The design phase can start immediately. Construction is based on scope and scale of each project and prior commitments. (see How long above)

Can you rush our project through?

Sometimes. There are many factors that determine delivery dates. My first consideration is for clients that I have already made commitments to. There are however occasions that I am ahead of schedule on projects, clients spaces are not ready or I am just plain not busy. Keep in mind that when I commit to your project that someone else behind you may be pushing for quick completion. It’s doubtful that you would appreciate if I made you wait so we could get the rush job behind you done.

 Do you actually do the work?

I actually do all the work. I personally do your design and drafting. I personally fabricate your project with help from my assistant Alex. I personally do the installation with assistance from Alex. I sell most of my work based on the fact that I am a hands on designer / craftsman and have been doing this professionally for over twenty-eight years.

I live out of your local area. Can you still do some work for me?

Of course. Small pieces of freestanding work are easily and safely delivered by moving companies that specialize in furniture. Most of the design work can be handled through phone and fax calls. Large scale projects and built in cabinetry like home theater units get a little more difficult. If my expenses are covered by the client I will do a job site visit anywhere. Moving larger pieces long distance is also quite a bit more difficult than local work . Each project will be individually considered to see if it makes sense to you to have me travel.

I saw something I liked at the store, can you make something like that for me?

Absolutely, it will just cost far more. If you find something you like at the store, BUY IT. Production pieces offer great value to consumers. I am hand building one -of -a-kind pieces from raw stock materials. My material and hardware costs on a project will sometimes cost close to the retail price of some production cabinets and furniture.

I saw something in a magazine/ at a store / in a catalog, can you copy it for me?

First see question above. As far as copying work, I am capable of doing that. I don’t feel it is best use of my skills or in the best interest of the customer. I prefer to use what you like for inspiration and create a one off custom piece just for you. I will copy things that you can’t get any more or if you need to match something. Keep in mind of this kind of work can get expensive because sometimes even simple details executed in production may take inordinate amounts of time to copy.