Here is a high-level overview of the process. Please see full details in the following sections for more details.
The project is initiated with the original contact and supply of the inspiration photo(s) and design information. Once sufficient details are collected, an official Goose Woodworking, LLC quote will be generated and sent to the customer.
NEXT STEPS FOR CUSTOMER:
- If you accept the quote, please send payment of 50% of the attached quote price. This locks in your order in the build schedule and allows for the procurement of materials. (methods of payment are specified on the quote)
- Lead times are typically 8-10 weeks and dependent on date of payment. Projects are scheduled first in, first out basis on when the payment is received.
- After payment is received, Goose Woodworking, LLC will also generate a detailed design drawing to confirm all measurements, specifications, and design elements. Our website contains a SAMPLE drawing (note the sample is for a different piece of furniture and is only an example of the type of drawing.
After the above steps are completed, the build phase begins, and the project is delivered once completed! Please see below for additional information.
It all starts with an idea! Most of our clients have seen something in a catalog (Wayfair, West Elm, Restoration Hardware), or social media (Pinterest, Instagram, Etsy), or online (Magnolia Farms, a friend’s house) that you would like to have in your own home and would like to customize it in some way. It could be as simple as different dimensions or different materials. Or it could be more unique, such as taking an empty bourbon barrel from your favorite distillery and converting it into a bourbon cabinet with a turnstile made of custom mahogany shelves and LED lighting!
Please contact us via email (info@goosewoodworking.com) or via our contact form page to let us know of your idea. It is helpful to provide as much information as possible, which may include:
– Inspiration photos (most helpful)
– Dimensions
– Materials (if you have a particular wood type in mind, please let us know)*
– Finishing (e.g. stain, paint, hard wax oil)*
– Budget – if known**
If you don’t have anything more than a photo, no problem! Please reach out to us and let us know of your idea and we can discuss.
*Please note – Goose Woodworking, LLC specializes in making custom, handmade furniture out of high-quality hardwoods and products. As a general rule, we do not build anything out of pine or construction grade lumber from big box stores.
**Budget does not have to be specific, but potential clients should bear in mind the note above regarding materials and should not expect price comparison with mass produced items from Vietnam or China that are typically made from rubber wood and veneers.
Once the process has started, Goose Woodworking, LLC will begin to review all of the provided design specifications and follow up with any additional questions. Once a sufficient level of detail is known about the project, an official quote will be generated and sent to the customer. The quote is accepted by the customer with a down payment equal to 50% of the quoted price. This payment also confirms the order in the build schedule, where Goose Woodworking, LLC uses a first in, first out scheduling method.
After the 50% down payment is received, the final design confirmation process begins. The detailed specifications will be documented on a design schematic generated from CAD software and sent to the customer for review and approval. The customer can make minor changes to the specifications on the detailed drawings at no cost. However, if the changes requested result in significant design alterations and material costs, then an updated quote price will be generated and approved before the project can proceed.
Once the detailed design drawing reflects the final version of the specifications for the project, the customer signs the drawing in the Approved box and returns the drawing to Goose Woodworking, LLC. The preferred method is to print, sign, scan, and return the signed drawing as an electronic file (e.g. PDF) via email. There is a sample drawing available on our website.
Once the signed drawing is approved and returned, the build process can begin. Note that delays in returning an approved drawing can delay the build process and overall finish date.
Once the approved & signed drawing is returned to Goose Woodworking, LLC then the build process can begin. Since all custom projects are handmade from materials purchased specifically for each project, it is a best practice to only start cutting wood and construction once the detailed drawing is signed and returned to minimize any miscommunication on the expected outcomes for the project.
During the build phase, only minimal project updates will be provided. Additional project photos and updates may be available via Instagram (no customer info is included on any social media posts). Near the end of the build phase, updates will be provided to plan delivery dates & times.
The final phase of the build process includes the finishing process. Since Goose Woodworking, LLC specializes in custom furniture made from premium hardwoods, the preference is to let the beauty of the wood shine through! This is accomplished by completing the project with simple finishes instead of wood stains. Our most preferred and recommended finish is Rubio Monocoat hard wax oil, which is an all-natural product that looks great, is durable, and is easy to maintain over the years. It also comes in a variety of tinted versions to provide the perfect look, especially on lighter toned woods (e.g. Rubio Cotton White applied to white oak tables has been a very popular choice recently). However, we are able to professionally apply a variety of finishes – ranging from Tung oil, custom blends, Arm-R-Seal oil-based finishes, conversion varnish, milk paint, wood stain & topcoat – to meet the customer’s needs.
If your project includes wood stain, the customer may choose up to 3 stain color samples* that will be generated using off-cuts from your build. This allows for the best accuracy of matching expectations for stain colors since it uses some of the wood actually used in your project (please see policy document regarding wood stains). Additionally, this allows for the customer to take a sample to their home to compare next to other furniture and various lighting in their own home. The customer can choose to skip this step (in writing) and proceed with their final specification of a stain color choice. On the other hand, if the customer is not satisfied with any of the 3 originally selected samples, more samples can be generated for an additional charge (maximum of 3 additional samples).
*When projects include wood stains or dyes, Goose Woodworking, LLC prefers General Finishes products; please select stain colors from General Finishes. If other stain products or colors are preferred by the customer, please specify as early in the project as possible.
Once the project build is completed and the finish has been applied, the project will be scheduled for delivery. This includes ‘white glove’ service that brings the furniture into the customer home, places furniture in the final location, and assembles the furniture (if necessary) onsite. Note that this service does not include any preparation of the customer site, such as moving other furniture or personal items in order to make room for the placement of the furniture. If preferred, the customer may pick up the completed project from Goose Woodworking, LLC woodshop using their own resources (by appointment).
General care and maintenance instructions will be provided to the customer as part of the delivery process. Following these instructions is the responsibility of the customer.
As a general policy, Goose Woodworking, LLC does not make any modifications to permanent structures in the home as part of the delivery (modifying walls or trim, hardware installation, etc.). Goose Woodworking, LLC will work with the customer on a case-by-case basis to determine solutions for any project where this type of work may be required.
