The project starts with us exploring your needs and design preferences. Saving pictures of design elements you like, even if they seem completely unrelated to the piece you want made, is a helpful starting point. With functional pieces, we also need to define all the key aspects of how the piece should work.

After our first design session, I’ll provide you with a few thumbnail sketches to narrow down the possibilities and give you an initial estimate of the project cost. If you choose not to go forward with the project, there is no charge for this initial work. If you do decide to go forward with the project, we then agree on a final design, along with the materials, finish technique, and installation details

One of my strengths from other professional arenas is in facilitating this process and helping whoever is involved reach agreement. I work best collaborating in the design process. I am happy to work with you as well as any designers or architects involved in the project. This phase is completed as I provide you with a final drawing that details size and final design, along with a contract that specifies total job cost. Charges for design and specification time in this phase are included in the contract amount.

I do most fabrication work in my own studio. Occasionally I job out elements of the work to local specialty shops, such as Santa Cruz Metal Polishing for bead or sand blasting, Arctec Welding for specialty welds, or George Wilson Plumbing and Heating for metal bending and shearing. Any charges for outside services are included in your contract unless otherwise specified.

There are a number of different options for the final finish on your piece. Rust (whether left to occur naturally or as an applied patina), colored patinas, and paints are all possibilities. Projects done in mild steel are most easily rusted or left to rust, particularly where cost is a concern and/or the piece will be exposed to weather. For exterior pieces made of mild steel, know that rust eventually occurs no matter what the finish.

Patinas and paints provide a rich palette of possibilities, but typically require several process steps to prepare, finish, and seal the piece. Some clients opt to finish the piece themselves as a way to participate in the creation of the piece or to cut costs. If you choose to do your own finish work I am happy to provide you with tips on how to do this.

My availability and the costs to do this will be negotiated as we contract for the project. In general, I prefer that installation be handled by a contractor, landscaper, or other laborer you hire. This is especially true for large pieces, pieces governed by building codes (such as railings), or installations requiring scaffolding, cranes, etc. I will work closely with anyone you hire to make sure that the piece is built to code and with ease of installation in mind, then make myself available to assist with any final adjustments needed for successful installation.