Perfection: At what cost?
It has always been a basic principal for me that perfection is something to be strived for but rarely, if ever, achieved. But just try and tell that your customers!…
It has always been a basic principal for me that perfection is something to be strived for but rarely, if ever, achieved. But just try and tell that your customers!
So many times I have had a customer tell me, "I want it perfect." And I usually respond by telling them that perfection can get quite expensive, whereas getting close to perfection will be much more affordable.
Some accept this. Most respond with something to the effect of: "I'm paying good money here and I want it to be perfect." At that point I will typically share with them the estimated up charge to go from "close to perfect" to "perfect." That is usually enough to convince all but the most stubborn customers that close to perfect is really quite acceptable.
But there are still those who insist on demanding perfection. These customers require special handling. I tell these customers about my special "cost is no object, nothing but perfection will do" package. I call it the "Time and Materials Job."
D.D.
David DeCristoforo possesses an extensive resume as designer/maker of fine furniture, high-end cabinetry and architectural woodwork. His experience in professional woodworking spans a period of 35 years. For the past 20 years David DeCristoforo Design has been located in Woodland, California. During this time David's shop has ranged in scope from a "full on" cabinet production shop with as many as 15 employees to a small fine furniture and custom millwork shop, working with his son, David RBJ, a highly skilled maker in his own right.
