Before you hire a professional to design your metalwork, it’s important to understand the process.

At MOD Studio, owner Jim Honold has been creating beautiful and functional structures for over 20 years.

There are four parts to the process:

  1. Consult

  2. Design & Contract

  3. Fabricate

  4. Install

Consult

  • Schedule an appointment with Jim, your garden designer and anyone else on your team

  • Set aside 1 hour for the meeting. Jim will take measurements and guide you through the design process.

  • Have photos available of the type of metalwork you like

  • Consider your budget. Our projects start at $5,000.

  • Consider your timing. Jim is typically booked out 4-6 months.

Design and Contract

  • Jim will send a sketch of your design and a contract. The contract includes a target completion date. Note: this is an estimate as so many things are outside of our control. The powder coating schedule, shipping and delivery of materials, availability of parts, employee schedules are all potential delays.

  • You return the signed contract with 50% deposit. This guarantees your spot in the schedule and allows him to order materials to have on hand.

  • While you’re waiting, you may not hear from Jim. Please understand he’s focused on the project in front of him.

Sketch of Colorful glass and aluminum gate

Large aluminum double door gate with two side panels. Colorful glass tiles inset in the gate.

Fabricate

When the materials are received and it’s time to build your metalwork, Jim is 100% focused on your project. He will update you will project progress and deliver it to be powdercoated. When it’s back from power coating, he cuts and installs the glass, then calls you to schedule an installation date. He may have you call to mark gas and electrical lines, depending on where he’s digging.

Install

This is the exciting part - the big reveal! Depending on the scope of your project, an installation could be 20 minutes or 5 days.

Aluminum Double door gate with glass panels installed at a home

Double door aluminum gate with glass inset, two side panels, installed at a client’s home.

Maintain

Now the structure is yours to enjoy! You should inspect the powdercoating monthly and promptly touch up any areas. Hinges should be greased quarterly.