End of summer update

The experts say that when you haven’t done something in a while that you shouldn’t bring attention to the fact that you’re picking it back up. So we’re not telling you that this is the first newsletter we’ve done in a while (wink, wink). Here’s what we’ve been up to.

• Now offering a la carte CNC routing services. Send requests to info@fmwfablab.com
   
• We won’t say whom, but we’ve been learning from some of the industry’s best this summer. We’ve had the opportunity to partner with a seasoned millwork company. If you’re in the Houston commercial design industry, you’ve likely worked with them a time or twenty.
  
  At this stage in our career, to receive this sort of mentored education is almost unheard of. It’s been the opportunity of a lifetime. We’re very excited to know new and better ways to serve our clients going forward and grateful to our anonymous knowledge donor. We’re bound for bigger things!

3 Reasons NOT to go custom 

1. You saw something you liked at (enter any store here) and you want to find it at a lesser price.  

2. You don’t want to wait six weeks for a product you like to ship. 

3. You just want to support a particular fabricator.  

The first two are cut and dry.  Custom fabrication is rarely less expensive or quicker than a product already designed and on the market, even one with an extended lead time.  Full stop. For much,
much, much more detail around schedule, check out this video on our YouTube channel.

That last one seems controversial though. What on earth could be wrong with wanting to support someone? Absolutely nothing. This is really just to say that you need to make sure the budget you have and timeframe you require align with the offerings of the business you are trying to support. Be confident and upfront about what you have to work with and see if it’s a match.  It’s on them to let you know at that point. And if it’s not, DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT, feel embarrassed or guilty.  Just purchase what you need from a mass manufacturer (they have employees to pay too) and do one of the following to show your support for the custom fabricator you admire: 

1. Share their business profile on your social media and make sure to include a personal note stating what you like about them. 

2. Speak up and tell someone about them when you think they might be a good fit. 

3. Comment and like the social media posts of that business to help their engagement levels go up. 

4. Ask again when you have a need that is more aligned!

So why would you do custom? The reasons range from having a particular vision to needing a very specific dimension or just wanting something unique. If you’re curious whether custom is the right fit for you, drop us a message. We’re here to help and always ready to talk!