Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to build my piece?
It is unfortunately not possible to give concrete completion dates with full custom work. My shop runs on a client list organized by when required deposits are paid. Official timeframes do not begin until after I receive your deposit. This means that if your piece will take 4-6 weeks, and there are 3-5 months worth of other commissions in line, your estimated completion window is 4-6 months. The best advice I can give is to pay your deposit as soon as you are willing to commit to GHVA so you can claim your spot on the shop list ASAP.
How much will my piece cost?
Usually, a very rough estimate range (e.g., 2k-5k) can be given immediatley. However, for a more narrow price window, there are a number of things we need to go over (materials prefrences, rush production, delivery, finishing choices, etc.) before that range can be more accurately estimated. I do not typically quote exact prices because there are many things that can happen during design and production that can have an effect on the end price.
Do you deliver and/or haul away?
I can arrange delivery for most pieces, yes. Depending on the size and complexity of the delivery, there may be additional charges for rental vehicles and/or temporary labor. Normally I do not haul away old furniture, but there may be a way to arrange it for an additional fee.
I want to match a design to what I already own, can you do that?
Yes I can! I have a number of suppliers and websites that I use to find specailty moldings and hardware, so I have not yet foudn something I can’t match.
What kind of colors can you finish in?
Anything you can imagine! I can match finishes you already have, we can make up new ones, and if there is ever any confusion, I will typically make finish samples for each color we discuss.
I have paid my deposit, can I make modicifcations to my design?
Changes can always be made of course! The catch is that if a change requires anything to be remade, there will be additional materials and labor charges on your final invoice. A good rule of thumb is that it is safe to change anything all the way up to the first cut made to build your piece(s).
How do refunds and/or cancellations work for Gardner House?
If no materials have been purchased, and no design time has been used, full refunds are quick and easy. The more work that has already gone into your piece, the smaller your refund will be. I have never had problems like this because I take great care in carefully listening to my clients and clearly explaining and showing what to expect.
I really want Gardner House quality, but I want to save as much money as possible, how can my commission be made cheaper?
There are a couple options, but I am very reluctant to start shrinking my production budget. Good quality work takes good quality materials and a lot of time and care to be done to the level of excellence that Gardner House LLC represents. When I was getting my first large tattoo, there was a poster on the wall that said “Good, Fast, Cheap, You may pick only two.” That is a remarkably accurate statement for craft trades. Gardner House will never produce pieces that are not good, and I will always take my time to make sure that what I deliver is up to my standards, which means that every piece is done as quickly and as cheaply as it is possible to produce acceptable results.
My advice when budget is an issue, is to set aside what you can, when you can, then pay when you are able, or if you need something immediately, I can usually recommend other manufaturers that have lower quality products, but will still get the job done.
What’s this about a referral program?
I firmly believe that nobody gets anywhere alone. Success of any kind is a result of our actions and decisions and of those around us that ripple beyond our comprehension. If a client tells me they were referred to me from you, and they pay their complete balance, I will reach out to you to give you a 5% net commission on that sale, up to $100. So tell your friends! Tell everyone! If Gardner House gets 10 clients from you that pay their balances, that’s $1,000.00 coming back to you as a genuine and heartfelt thank you for your support.