How long does it take?
Three stages, and each one has its own clock: the measurement, the drawing you
approve, and the fabrication. The drawing waits on you — most of the time people
take a few days — and fabrication only starts once you have signed off. Ask for
the current shop lead time when you call; we would rather give you today's real
number than print one that is out of date by the time you read it.
How is it priced?
By the piece, after we have measured. A railing is priced on its length, its
material, the number of posts and how the anchors land — stone, concrete, wood
and tile are four different jobs. A quote holds for 15 days on residential work. We do
not quote a price over the phone from a photo, because that number always changes and
the change is never in your favour.
What happens to my floor and my walls?
Anchoring into stone, concrete or tile makes dust. We cover the work area and the
path in and out, cut where we can cut outside, and clean up before we leave. Drilling
leaves holes where the old railing was — we will tell you up front what will need
patching and painting, and who is doing it.
What if the measurement changes once work starts?
It happens, usually when a floor goes in at a different height than planned. We
re-measure and tell you what it changes in the price before we do anything. That is a
written change order, not a conversation you half remember when the invoice arrives.
What does the warranty actually cover?
Aluminum carries a twenty-year warranty against oxidation — if it corrodes, the
factory replaces it at no cost to you. That is the aluminum. Steel, stainless and glass
have their own terms, and they are written on your quote, by name, before you sign.
What no warranty covers anywhere is impact damage and a finish that was never
maintained.
Can you match something that already exists?
Usually. Send a photo of what you have. Matching an old picket profile or a handrail
radius is a fabrication question, not a catalogue question, which is why a shop can do
it and a supplier cannot.