Earlier this week I received my first commission. Or lets say it is my first job for someone that is not a friend or family. I am both excited and intimidated by this first step. Although it is a small job through school and will not be a huge earnings I am looking at it as some great experience. I will be adding cabinets to an existing kitchen. Which with the sizes and such will have to be fabricated. Now for the scary part, HOME-OWNERS! As a home owner myself I really scrutinize work that I am having someone else do. So I guess I kind of know what to expect and hope that I can satisfy this customer and keep them within the budget they would like to stay in. I can say this the design and estimate process is not all that much fun. I would really like to hear about everyone’s first time and the fears and successes that you had on your first commission.
-- Something that goes unnoticed will never be remembered.
9 comments so far
lazyfiremaninTN
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476 posts in 492 days
posted 63 days ago
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
-- Adrian ..... The 11th Commandment...."Thou Shalt Not Buy A Wobble Dado"
Rustic
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323 posts in 136 days
posted 63 days ago
Just do the best you can and give the customer feedback on the progress. You will do well I know.
-- Rick Kruse, Rick's Rustics Handcrafted wood products Grand Rapids, MI
Mario
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735 posts in 591 days
posted 63 days ago
Relax and enjoy the process. From the tenor of your post it sounds like you are very committed to exelence and will do the best that you can. So relax and enjoy the process.
-- Hope Never fails
Don Newton
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160 posts in 158 days
posted 63 days ago
It’s a good thing if you can get experience at someone elses expense.
-- Don, Pittsburgh
Lee A. Jesberger
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2898 posts in 519 days
posted 63 days ago
Hi Huckleberry;
I can tell you all about the fears, but am still waiting for that first success!
If you build it to your own standards, everyone else will be pleased.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Grumpy
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6730 posts in 391 days
posted 63 days ago
Go for it Huck. No time like the present.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
BeechPilotBarry
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412 posts in 242 days
posted 63 days ago
We’ll expect a blog… <g>
Go get ‘em!
To put what Lee said in other words… Be honest with yourself. If you see something wrong, fix it. If you please yourself, you’ll be fine. Trust yourself.
Make a product you are proud of at the time you made it. DO NOT, and I mean EVER!, state what you might have done differently to the customer. We constantly grow as crafts people. Do the best you can do now and keep your lessons learned to yourself (you can vent them here <g>).
-- - Real men read directions
trifern
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5043 posts in 307 days
posted 62 days ago
Congratulations Huck. You’ll do just fine.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
Lee A. Jesberger
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2898 posts in 519 days
posted 62 days ago
Well said Barry.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com