Answers to the Questions We Hear Most

The simplest way is to book a free consultation through our appointment page. You can also call us at (207) 450-1094 or send a message through our contact form. We'll discuss your project, schedule a site visit if needed, and prepare a written proposal.

Yes, for projects within 30 miles of Portland. The consultation includes a site visit, measurements, and a written project brief. For projects farther away or of unusual scope, we may schedule a paid site visit — which is credited back against your project if you decide to proceed.

Both. Our minimum shop order is $85 for repairs and $250 for custom fabrication. A single bracket repair or fireplace tool set is just as welcome as a full architectural package. No job is too small — and no job is too large.

Consultations are typically scheduled within 3–7 business days. Once a proposal is approved, we schedule your project into the shop calendar. Smaller projects often start within 1–2 weeks; larger projects may be scheduled 4–8 weeks out depending on complexity and current load.

Not at all. Many of our clients come to us with just an idea, a photo, or a rough sketch. Our design consultation service can develop the concept from scratch. If you already have drawings from an architect or engineer, we're happy to work from those as well.

Absolutely. We encourage clients to visit our Portland shop — you'll see the equipment, meet the team, and get a better sense of how we work. Schedule a visit by calling ahead or through our appointment page.

Helpful things to have: rough dimensions of the space, any photos of the site or existing piece, inspiration images of what you like, your ideal timeline, and a rough budget range if you have one. If you don't have any of these, that's fine — we'll walk through it together.

It varies widely by scope. Small repairs start around $85. Custom fireplace screens and small pieces run $400–$1,500. Interior railings average $180–$350 per linear foot, installed. Driveway gates range from $2,800 for a simple single-leaf manual gate to $28,000+ for a dual automated gate. Full structural steel packages are quoted per project.

Yes, for most projects. Once a design and scope are approved, we provide a fixed written price that does not change unless the scope changes. For time-and-materials work (some repairs, emergency calls, and open-ended projects), we bill hourly with a written estimate of total hours.

Standard terms are 50% deposit at scheduling, 40% when fabrication is complete, and 10% at final walkthrough. Larger commercial projects may use milestone-based billing. No deposit is required for the consultation or estimate.

We accept checks, ACH bank transfers, all major credit cards, and wire transfers for larger projects. For commercial accounts, we can also work with purchase orders and net-30 terms.

Yes, for projects beyond 30 miles of Portland. Travel and mobilization charges are typically $0.95 per mile round-trip, plus applicable labor. For larger projects, we may absorb travel into the overall project price — ask us for specifics when we scope the work.

No. Every written proposal lists all charges — materials, labor, finishes, delivery, and installation. If anything changes mid-project, you receive a written change order with revised pricing before we proceed. No surprises.

Yes, on select projects. Rush work carries a 25–50% surcharge depending on how much it disrupts our existing schedule. Emergency repairs (broken gate, failed weld, safety issue) are quoted separately and often handled same-day within 30 miles of Portland.

For projects over $10,000, we can arrange milestone-based payment schedules that spread the cost across the project timeline. We do not currently offer third-party financing, but we work with clients to structure payments that fit their cash flow.

Small repairs: 1–3 days. Custom fireplace screens: about 3 weeks. Interior railings: 4–5 weeks. Driveway gates: 6–11 weeks depending on automation. Commercial steel packages: 5–10 weeks. Full architectural ironwork: 11–16 weeks. Actual timelines depend on scope, season, and current shop load.

On select projects, yes, with a 25–50% surcharge. Rush service is subject to shop availability and may be declined if it would disrupt existing client commitments. Emergency repairs are handled separately — call us directly at (207) 450-1094.

Spring and early summer book up fastest because exterior projects are weather-dependent. If your project involves exterior installation, we recommend booking consultation in late winter or early spring. Interior projects are less seasonal and can be scheduled year-round.

We communicate proactively. If a project is running behind, you hear from us before the deadline — not after — with a revised schedule and an explanation. Delays caused by weather, permit issues, or material shortages are common in construction; the key is transparent communication.

Often yes, especially if you give us enough lead time. Weddings, open houses, and business openings frequently require hard deadlines. Let us know about your deadline upfront and we'll factor it into scheduling.

For most projects, 1–2 weeks ahead is fine. For larger projects or if you have a hard deadline, book 4–8 weeks ahead. Emergency repairs can often be scheduled same-day.

No problem. Just call or email us at least 24 hours before your appointment and we'll find another time. Same-day cancellations may be subject to a small rescheduling fee for site visits.

We work in mild steel, stainless steel (304 and 316), aluminum (6061 and 5052), wrought iron, galvanized steel, Corten weathering steel, brass, and bronze. Our full materials guide explains the strengths and best uses of each.

For salt-air environments, we recommend 316 stainless steel, aluminum (5052), or galvanized and powder-coated mild steel. These offer the best long-term performance within sight of the ocean. Mild steel that isn't properly coated will fail in coastal conditions within a few years.

Yes, and it's one of our specialties. Bring us a sample, photo, or the original piece, and we can match profile, grain, patina, and finish. Historic reproduction and restoration work makes up a meaningful part of our shop output.

Powder coat (any RAL color), hot-dip galvanizing, black oxide, hand-applied wax and oil patina, and two-stage paint. We also offer raw mill finishes for stainless, aluminum, and Corten. Finish recommendations depend on where the piece will live and how much maintenance you want to do.

Yes. If you have architectural drawings or engineer-stamped plans, we can fabricate to spec. We also do design-build work from scratch if you don't have drawings yet.

Yes. We install throughout Maine and travel into New Hampshire and Massachusetts for larger projects. Installation cost includes travel and mobilization beyond 30 miles.

Yes. We hold AWS D1.1 certification for structural steel, and all our structural welders are individually certified in the processes they perform. Certifications are current and available for review on request.

No. Design, fabrication, finishing, and installation are all handled by our own team. We use vetted partners only for specialty processes like hot-dip galvanizing, which requires a separate facility. Everything else stays in-house.

Our shop is at 56 Warren Ave. Ste #106, Portland, ME 04103 — just off Forest Avenue, with easy access from I-95 and Route 302. Visitor parking is available on-site.

Our primary service area is Greater Portland and the surrounding towns — including Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Yarmouth, Cumberland, Gorham, Westbrook, South Portland, and Windham. We also work throughout Maine and into New Hampshire and Massachusetts for larger projects.

Within 30 miles of Portland, no. Beyond that, we charge $0.95 per mile round-trip plus applicable labor for mobile service. For large projects, travel may be absorbed into the overall project price — ask us for a specific quote.

Yes. We regularly work on commercial and institutional projects across Maine, including in Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston, and the mid-coast region. For structural steel packages and large architectural scopes, distance is rarely a barrier.

Emergency mobile welding is normally limited to within 30 miles of Portland for same-day service. For emergencies farther away, call us — we'll do our best to help or refer you to a trusted partner closer to your location.

All fabrication and welding work is backed by our two-year workmanship warranty. Finish warranties vary — powder coat typically carries a 5-year warranty from the coater, and galvanizing carries up to a 25-year corrosion warranty depending on environment. Full details are on our warranty page.

The warranty does not cover damage from misuse, accidents, unauthorized modifications, improper maintenance, exposure to chemicals not intended for the material, or normal cosmetic weathering. It also does not cover finishes that have been applied by third parties.

Call us at (207) 450-1094 or email [email protected] with your project reference number and a description of the issue. We'll schedule an inspection, and if the issue is covered, we'll repair or replace it at no cost to you.

Yes. For exterior ironwork, we offer a maintenance visit option every 3–5 years for cleaning, touch-up, and inspection. This extends finish life significantly, especially in coastal environments. Contact us to schedule.

If an adjustment is needed shortly after installation — a gate that needs realigning, a lock that isn't latching smoothly — call us. We'll send someone out. Small post-installation adjustments within 30 days are typically covered at no charge.

In many cases, yes. We can inspect, repair, and service metalwork fabricated by others — especially for restoration, refinishing, or repair. We'll be upfront about whether the fix is worthwhile versus replacing the piece.

Yes. For insurance claims, damage assessments, or historic documentation, we can provide written reports, photographic documentation, and repair or replacement estimates in a format suitable for submission to insurers.