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Whether it is a period mantel, a custom front door or a fully coordinated room package we are often asked about the process we go through to bring our client's orders to reality. That is what this page is all about.

Every project begins with a commission. Sometimes the client will furnish us with an image or photograph of the type item they have in mind, other times they will ask us to design a piece that fits a particular look or architectural style. We have even had customers bring in existing antique carvings for us to reproduce. However the request is expressed, the shape each project takes is really only limited by the customers imagination and needs.

Next a letter of intent is signed by both parties indicating approximate scope of the project and approximate costs. We talk at length about every aspect of the commission so that an accurate sensible design can be easily produced. If a customers needs are very similar to a previous project, then we can often offer a fixed price and contract at this point.

After that the design process is begun. Like most professional designers, we start on paper with several rounds of drawings until the design that we believe most closely approximates the clients wishes is produced. These rough-in drawings are then presented to the client for approval.

If the client approves the rough-ins a detailed model is created. We use a CAD based program to create this model. This allows the project to be virtually rendered in such a manner that it can be easily viewed from several angles without the time and added expense of a physical, full scale sample.

Once the client approves the CAD model, construction is begun. Our fabrication process uses a combination of CNC carving technology and hand chisel work to produce our commissions. This means that the same virtual 3-D model approved by the client approved is translated into cutting code for our computer automated carving machine to produce the projects major components. Afterwards the parts are further detailed by hand. This allows us to produce intricate pieces in a reasonable time regardless of the scale of the overall commission.

The completed project leaves the facility only after a pre-delivery inspection is done by the client and final payment is received. Since we use a computer based carving technology as part of our production process we can engineer our commissions to be flexible during the installation. This means that our pieces can be easily installed for you by almost any competent finish carpenter. If the client prefers, delivery and installation are available for all components but is usually as a separate item.

Obviously depending on the magnitude of the project, the design efforts and the workflow will vary. We encourage you to contact us if you have any specific questions or if you have a commission in mind.