A good brief is the quickest way to a good quote. Metalwork is priced on material, labour, finishing and complexity, so the clearer your information, the less guesswork goes into the price. That also means fewer revisions and fewer surprises once manufacturing starts.
Whether you’re an architect specifying a feature, a contractor sourcing components or a homeowner with a one-off idea, this is what to include.
1. Drawings, sketches or reference images
Drawings are ideal, but you don’t need a full set to start an enquiry.
Best: dimensioned drawings in DWG, DXF, STEP or PDF.
Good: a hand sketch with key measurements.
Still useful: reference photos of the look you want, with notes on what you like about them.
If you’re working from an architect’s or designer’s package, send the relevant sheets and any detail drawings. We can review them and flag anything that may cause problems in manufacture before you commit.
2. Material
Tell us the material if you know it, whether that’s stainless steel, brass, bronze, aluminium or mild steel. If you’re unsure, say where the piece will be used and we can advise. Interior or exterior, dry or humid, high-touch or decorative all affect the right choice.
3. Finish
Finish affects both appearance and cost, so it’s worth raising early. Say whether you want brushed, polished, patinated, powder coated or another finish, and send a sample or colour reference if you have one. If the piece has to match existing metalwork, tell us.
4. Quantity
One-off pieces and repeat runs are priced differently. Give us the quantity you need now and any likely repeat orders, such as a multi-site rollout. Knowing this can change how we plan the work.
5. Where and how it will be used
A table frame in a busy restaurant faces different demands from a decorative trim in a private home. Tell us about:
Expected wear and cleaning regime
Weight-bearing requirements
Fixing method and substrate (wall, floor, timber, stone)
Any regulations or specification requirements that apply
6. Timescale and delivery
Give us your target delivery or installation date, and say whether the date is fixed or flexible. If a shopfitting programme or opening date is driving it, tell us so we can plan around it. Also let us know if you need delivery to a specific site or access arrangements.
7. Budget
You don’t have to share a figure, but a rough range helps us suggest sensible options, such as a different material or simplified detail that keeps the look within budget.
A quick checklist
Before you send an enquiry, check you have:
Drawings, sketches or reference images
Preferred material (or the use case)
Finish requirements
Quantity
Location and conditions of use
Target date
Rough budget (optional)
Missing something? Send what you have. We’d rather start the conversation than have a good project wait for a perfect brief.
Ready to talk?
Ash Architectural manufactures bespoke metalwork in Nottingham for architects, designers, contractors, shopfitters and homeowners across the UK.
Send us your project details and we’ll get back to you. hello@asharchitectural.co.uk