Client Solid Part Specs

[r_jones]

I am curious if anyone has a list of sorts they give to a client when the client supplies the wood? A list that outlines what is expected and and who may be responsible for tear out or a piece with a knot... What happens when you receive wood that's warped? The list goes on.... Just thinking out loud.

Thanks,
Ron

[michael_schwartz]

Since the materials will ultimately affect the appearance and workmanship of the project, and your reputation depends on the outcome I would be careful.

Having a client supply wood for fine furniture or cabinetry would be like taking a bag of food from the grocery store to a 5 star restaurant and handing it to the chef. Unless you know they are qualified I would be careful.

If I were not comfortable with the clients ability to select the materials I would insist that they let you purchase them.

The last project I took on that used wood from a client turned out to be a mess of poorly air dried wood.

[myxpykalix]

This sounds like the dilema i was having in this thread:
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11068
The client, a signmaker supplied the signfoam painted and masked off all i had to do was rout the letters.
The problem with that is that I think you could concieve that you would be responsible for the cost of material, mask, paint and labor if I screw it up.

[r_jones]

Thanks guys! Based on yours and responses from other forums I think I will no longer let the client supply the wood. If it has to happen that way I will be up front in saying I accept no responsiblity for the end product!

[myxpykalix]

In several situations you may not have a choice. With this sign job i'm doing the client is supplying signfoam.
Well the first one that i did, the surface was uneven where they had sanded it down in a spot then applied a paint mask. When i went to rout a shallow vbit line, where the material dipped you would see the vbit line get thinner. That was their fault and their problem.

That kind of validates your attitude about supplying material.....however you open up far more work and effort (and liability) for mistakes by you supplying material.

I have had people bring me pieces of wood to make something from a tree that fell in their yard that had special signifigance. I think you may be shooting yourself in the foot and losing some business.

I would just have some type of disclaimer that warrantys your work but you hold no responsibility for the material or the look because of defects in the material (like knots, ect)

[kevin]

I did the same thing as Jack.They gave me this wood for a table top I thought: no way. When I stained it wow!! I have no clue what wood it was and I have worked with over 50 species.

I told them I was not responsible for cracks, etc.
I told them, in another instance, this retired guy had over 500 board feet of mahogony in the corner of his shed and he bought it in the "70s and never made that dresser for his wife. I was drooling at the color. my cents is that you are more protected when they give you the wood. If it cracks or whatever, it is not your problem.

[bleeth]

Someone bringing me some wood they inherited or got off their land or something like that is fine. Buying it and then asking me to build something out of it is off limits. Doing carving for a sign company who handles the finishing and therefore cuts, paints, and masks it themselves is a way that many cnc owners make money. You just have to be sure of the relationship and the rules with the client. Bottom line is, no matter what there is always potential for a problem and a disagreement on who is responsible. Best is if you are handing them a proposal to sign that the proposal have pre printed terms including method for conflict resolution. You can always pencil in special terms.

[r_jones]

Thanks for the input!