Our Process

Every piece Brown Dog Woodworks builds — from a single custom table to a full room of built-in cabinetry — follows the same core process: consultation, design, material selection, handcrafted fabrication, finishing, and delivery or installation.

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Step 1: Consultation

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We start with a conversation — in person, at your home, or virtually — to understand:

• What you want built (furniture piece vs. cabinetry/built-in)

• The space it needs to fit

• Your style preferences (wood species, finish, hardware)

• Your budget and timeline​

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This is free and no-obligation. Typical duration: 1-2 hours

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Step 2: Design & Quote

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During and after the consultation, we put together:

• Wood species and finish recommendations

• Basic design details

• A firm price based on the agreed scope

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Once price and basic details have been signed off on, we collect a down payment. We then provide you will full CAD drawings, hand sketches and guidance. You approve the design and quote before any material is ordered. 

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Step 3: Material Selection & Ordering

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Once approved, we source the lumber and hardware for your project. For solid-wood pieces, this often means hand-selecting boards for grain and color match, visiting local lumberyards or signing off on finish samples. Clients are typically responsible for ordering door and drawer pulls but this can be included in scope of work. 

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Step 4: Fabrication

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This is where the piece comes together in our shop:

• Milling rough lumber

• Dimensioning stock to precise specifications 

• Cutting, fitting, joinery, every tool in the shop...

• Final Assembly

• Sanding and surface prep

• Final sanding inspection

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Furniture pieces are built as standalone items; cabinetry and built-ins are typically built in sections designed to fit your space precisely.

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Step 5: Finishing

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Stain, paint, or clear coat is applied in multiple thin coats for durability, with drying/curing time between each. Paint can take up to twice as long as a polyurethane clear coat 

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Step 6: Delivery or Installation

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• Furniture pieces are delivered and placed in your home

• Cabinetry and built-ins are installed on-site, secured to walls/floors, and scribed to fit perfectly; we avoid fillers at all costs!

 

We walk through the finished piece with you before considering the job complete.

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​Frequently Asked Questions

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Do I need to know exactly what I want before the consultation? 

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--No! We are here to walk through the design process with you every step of the way. 

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Can I make changes after the design is approved?

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--We try our best to work through any changes in drawings and with solid planning but sometimes a change order is necessary. We're here to provide you with something you love. 

 

Do you require a deposit?

 

 

 

--Yes, we require 1/3 to start, 1/3 on a predetermined date and 1/3 on project completion for larger projects.

 

 

 1/2 down 1/2 on delivery for furniture projects 

 

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