Business Articles from WOODWEB's Knowledge Base

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FOB defined

Origins and meanings of the term "freight on board." (Sawing and Drying Forum) March 23, 2003

Another Cabinet Pricing Survey

Cabinetmakers from around the U.S. quote ballpark prices for a generic cabinet project, and discuss costs and markets. April 9, 2008

Structuring a Paid-Time-Off Policy

Businesses describe their approaches to providing sick leave, personal days, vacation time, et cetera. June 8, 2008

Shop lighting

Best bulbs for brightness and efficiency. February 12, 2003

Kitchen Advice for a Young Beginner

A youngster gets some advice and encouragement about getting into the kitchen cabinet business. April 20, 2008

How Long to Build Cabinets?

Cabinetmakers share views on how long a typical cabinet job should take a small shop, and help a colleague figure out why his progress has been slow. April 20, 2008

"Co-Insurance" — the Fine Points of Partial Insurance

If you insure your assets for less than their full value, you won't get fully compensated for a partial loss, even if it's less than your insured value. This thread explains the thinking. May 12, 2008

Door-Sample Carrying Case Ideas

Woodworkers discuss ways to haul a few sample doors around for showing clients. April 20, 2008

Estimating Jobs for Tire-Kickers

don't give those drawings away any more. April 10, 2008

Spreadsheets for Cabinet Estimating

The time you spend working up a detailed spreadsheet for cabinet cost estimating will quickly repay itself with efficient pricing. April 9, 2008

Materials Cost as a Proportion of Cabinet Costs

There's no standard ratio of materials cost to other costs in cabinetmaking — it depends on many factors, and varies widely from job to job. April 10, 2008

Considering a Hotel Kitchenette Cabinet Job

A quick look at the pricing and management issues involved in approaching a commercial cookie-cutter job. April 9, 2008

Buying a Woodworking Business

Here's a long thread full of thoughtful advice on how to assessn the value and prospects of a cabinet business that is for sale. June 8, 2008

Drafting and Project Management

Are drafting and project management separate responsibilities, or is it more efficient to have one skilled person do both? June 8, 2008

Expanding your Market for Furniture

When a cabinet shop starts to make furniture, how can they widen their niche? April 11, 2008

Financial Success in Woodworking

Philosophies and turning points on the path to $100K a year. January 6, 2005

Per-Hour Shop Costs -- and Small Business Overview

Understanding loaded per-hour shop costs and what goes into a business plan. March 12, 2003

Equipment For New Cabinet Business

Equipment and other advice for a beginning businessman. August 26, 2004

Pricing Cabinet Installation Work

Pros discuss their differing approaches to charging for kitchen and bath cabinet installation work. January 24, 2005

Advice about Starting a Cabinet Business

Cabinetmakers deliver several truckloads of advice to a young person with some start-up cash and a lot of enthusiasm. October 25, 2006

"X Factor" Estimating and Why Not

Further proof that estimating shortcuts are merely quick paths to poor profits. February 8, 2005

Secured Debt, Collections, and Legal Advice

An out-of-business cabinetmaker is being pursued by a debt collector for money he owes on machinery. The case sparks a heated debate and reveals some hard-nosed business and legal truths. January 7, 2007

What to Do When a Job Goes Sour

Here's a seminar on how to handle the situation when the homeowner-GC-cabinetmaker relationship heads south in the middle of a job. January 10, 2008

When to Raise an Employee's Pay

Here's a long discussion about the purpose and timing of pay raises, and the associated communication issues. July 3, 2006

Overhead per employee

Adjusting your overhead when you add workers. September 24, 2002

Cabinetmaker's Responsibilities

Lively conversation about who should handle plumbing, electrical, etc. on kitchen/bath projects. December 9, 2004

Incentive Pay for Workers

This long, detailed thread takes a close look at the whole concept of bonus and incentive pay for employees. January 9, 2008

Career change: Computers to cabinets

Issues that could affect the success of a newly purchased woodworking business. July 29, 2003

Sustainable forestry

How sustainable forestry relates to the woodworker and consumer demands. June 3, 2003

Testing Prospective Employees

... and have some fun along the way. February 8, 2005

Employee Overpayment Snafu

A cautionary tale: an overtime miscalculation resulted in years of paycheck mistakes in the employees' favor, before the payroll manager figured it out. How should the boss respond? June 5, 2006

Employee Overtime

There's an up side and a down side to working (and paying) employees overtime. Here, owners and workers discuss the management of labor hours. October 25, 2006

Developing a Cabinet Business

Starting up without large equipment and finance resources. January 28, 2004

Employer Vs Employee

Must employees and business owners be pitted against one another? From WOODWEB's Business Forum. March 5, 2003

Don't Quit Your Day Job

Starting a woodworking shop? Don't quit your day job. June 23, 2006

Interior Designer Referral Fees

Referral fees charged by "interior designers" are a frequent source of misunderstanding. April 20, 2007

Taking a Business to the Next Level

A question about equipment investment turns into a thoughtful seminar on marketing, pricing, and finding your niche. November 10, 2005

New Business Liability Insurance

Issues including insurance, worker's comp, and taxes. April 18, 2004

Working Too Hard and Still Broke

A cabinetmaker asks for advice on getting out of the hole he's in, and gets a ton of good feedback. January 9, 2008

"Joint Check" Payment Agreements in Commercial Work

This long thread deals with a cabinetmaker's choices as he negotiates for a commercial job where the customer is proposing to pay the cabinetmaker and his materials suppliers with the same check. January 26, 2008

Generating Working Capital

A long discussion is triggered when a cabinetmaker asks how he can free up cash for running his business. Should he seek greater production efficiency, apply for a line of credit, or try to interest an outside investor? September 5, 2006

Establishing a Change-Order Policy

An extended discussion of one of the peskiest issues in custom woodworking: managing customers who want to change their minds. February 6, 2007

Four Case Histories for Smart Specifying

December 4, 2001

Small Shop Struggles

A one-employee cabinet shop owner gets wide-ranging practical advice on managing his fledgling business. The voice of experience, from pros who have been there. August 29, 2005

Pricing Example: a Simple Cabinet

A simple pair of free-standing cabinets, with a long discussion on pricing, bidding, and relating to a competitive market. July 5, 2006

Finding Good Finishing Help

Tactics for attracting finishers, perhaps the industry's most difficult "get." December 26, 2004

Crown Moulding Expansion/Contraction Problem

Who or what is responsible for gaps appearing at joints after installation? June 4, 2004

Six Sigma Strikes

Are the Six Sigma system requests that a customer makes appropriate? November 3, 2004

Managing a Business Disaster

A big customer can't pay because of big legal trouble — now the cabinetmaker has to struggle to stay afloat. This long discussion is loaded with sympathetic insights. November 26, 2007

Calculating a Shop Labor Rate

What shop labor rate will enable this cabinet shop turn a profit? Here's an extensive and detailed discussion of setting a realistic value on labor time. March 4, 2006

Business Startup Advice

Here's a rough-and-tumble thread providing advice and cautions for a would-be cabinetmaker. October 2, 2007

Sawdust as fuel

Building a sawdust-fired boiler to heat kiln and shop. November 18, 2002

Value added defined

Many definitions and interpretations are offered up. July 29, 2003

Rates for custom milling

An extremely detailed look at different systems of charging for custom milling. May 30, 2001

Danger in the Woods

Woodworkers should be aware of the reactions some people may have to certain species and take appropriate precautions. August 13, 2005

Recovering from an Estimating Mistake

If a rookie salesman accidentally sells a job way, way under cost, can the shop owner back out of the deal? There's more than one side to that question. October 25, 2006

The Crazy Hours of the Sole Proprietor

It's the rare woodshop owner who doesn't work 12-hour days and 6-day or 7-day weeks. February 6, 2007

Business Financing, Credit, and Cash Flow

Pay as you go, or borrow to grow? This thread looks at both sides, and supplies some sage advice. December 2, 2006

Kitchen Cabinet Pricing Comparison

Cabinet shops compare price estimates on a basic kitchen job, and discuss the factors that influence their prices. June 5, 2006

Shooting Digital Photos of your Work

A long discussion of cameras, lighting, and photo techniques for taking the shots for your website and print portfolio. August 23, 2006

Defining "Custom Cabinets"

What is a "custom" cabinet, and what do terms like "semi-custom" and "stock cabinet" mean? Pros discuss the dividing line between craftsmanship and mass production. December 28, 2005

Dealing with a Deadbeat Client

A sad tale of a customer who won't pay evolves into a detailed discussion of contracts and legal alternatives. February 17, 2006

Machines and Tools: Cost Versus Value

Are expensive tools worth the money? Are cheap tools worth the hassle? Pros on the Woodweb Business Forum talk about how much to pay for quality equipment, and why. September 4, 2005

Streamlining High-Volume Cabinet Production

Well-organized cabinetmakers share their secrets for labor time efficiency. April 26, 2006

Social Conversation and Shop Morale

Can a business owner help maintain a friendly and sociable work environment? The question sets off a long and lively discussion on the Business Forum. July 24, 2005

Training Employees

A rambling brainstorming thread about how to teach complex tasks to workers. December 2, 2006

Photographing Kitchens Professionally

Recommendations on creating high-quality shots of your work. April 2, 2004

Is This Job Discrimination?

An African-American's story of a frustrating job search leads to a frank discussion of race as a factor in employment, along with some solid advice on landing a job. January 10, 2008

Collecting From Contractors

Ideas about how to make sure you get paid by a general contractor. May 5, 2007

Photography Fees

Need professional photography done? Want to reproduce an already-published photo? Bottom line: good photography is expensive. June 3, 2007

Starting a cabinet business

Pros give pros and cons involved in starting a new cabinet business

Home-built moulder

Advice on the construction of a moulder, and encouragement to follow an easier path. November 18, 2002

Best Practices and Training Systems

A brainstorming session about systematically training wood-shop employees. February 6, 2007

Handling a Problem Employee

Shop owners discuss how to deal with an employee whose attitude is going down the tubes. January 26, 2008

Pricing Example: Bath Vanity

An emotional, but informative, discussion of cabinet pricing based on one bath vanity example. September 23, 2006

Furniture Pricing: Wholesale and Retail Markups

A heated, but detailed, discussion of cost and pricing practices in the furniture trade. April 24, 2006

Bail or Stick?

A few communication lapses in the 3-way among a cabinetmaker, a designer, and the customer have given the cab guy itchy feet. This discussion delves deep into how and why jobs go wrong, how to handle communication, and when it's wisest to walk away. February 19, 2008

Eyewitness: Injury

Scary stories about careless acts and bad consequences. June 28, 2005

Stupid Woodworker Tricks

With a nod toward David Letterman, pros discuss their least-best moments. January 24, 2005

AWI certification

Is membership or certfication with AWI worth your while?July 29, 2003

To Fire or Not to Fire?

A new hire's performance is spotty and his pay is high. Should the boss let him go? In this thread, the question gets a thoughtful examination from all sides, including several different boss and worker perspectives. November 10, 2005

Pricing Kitchen Cabinets

Price by the foot, or by the box? Cabinetmakers discuss the pros and cons of different estimating and pricing methods. May 20, 2006

Portable sawing rates

Methods for charging, plus more on the business of sawmilling. January 21, 2002

Increasing production flow

Presenting to a boss the numbers that prove production flow could be improved. (Business Forum) May 17, 2003

Gross Sales for a Small Shop

Business owners discuss reasonable sales projections for a start-up cabinet shop. February 17, 2006

Six Sigma Observations

Principles for developing efficiency in the workshop. November 3, 2004

Furniture Manufacturing to Order -- Wishful Thinking or Reality?

Coordinating the delivery and processing time of serial production with the individuality of made-to-order production. March 18, 2001

Are these original shop drawings protected by copyright law? May 19, 2004

Equipment needed for one-man startup

Advice on budgeting and buying machinery for a new custom cabinet shop. December 12, 2000

Business Start-Up Advice

Woodworker asks about a business start-up kit, and gets an earful of wise advice.

Best Ways to Advertise

How to get the word out that you're in business and available for work. November 22, 2004

Technology, Process Improvement , and Management in the Woodshop

A long, rich discussion about generating and applying good ideas, motivating and organizing people, choosing and using the right equipment, and keeping things simple in cabinet and furniture production. December 14, 2005

Price sawmilling by the cut?

Pricing by the hour, the board foot and the cut. (From WOODWEB's Sawing and Drying Forum) February 12, 2003

Quality and Price for a Basic Bedroom Built-In

Here's a long business and technical discussion on how to build a modestly-priced armoire and entertainment center. July 28, 2007

Reality Check for Urban Wood Sawmilling Idea

What a cool idea — invest in some equipment, saw up "free" logs, and make a tidy profit. If it were only that easy. December 11, 2007

Downsize or Reorganize?

A busy cabinetmaker is burning out on the fast lane. Should he lay everyone off and fly solo, or try to grow his employees into guys who can manage his company? January 7, 2007

How Strict Should Work Hours Be?

Woodworking employers and employees discuss working hours, flex time, performance, and shop morale. March 4, 2006

Quality and Service Issues with Outsourced Cabinet Doors

A long discussion of how large-volume specialty door companies address occasional defects in the products they ship. March 6, 2008

Choosing to Accept Credit Cards

Shop owners share experiences with taking payment by credit card. April 6, 2007

Should I Specialize in Door Production?

These days, the cabinet door industry is highly competitive and has low margins. Here's a discussion of the realities of starting a door-making business. March 25, 2007

Starting Out as a Furnituremaker

Making custom furniture is a very tough business, and most craftsmen who try it fail. August 29, 2006

Payment Terms in Commercial Work

A discussion of the contract technicalities a woodworker has to navigate when making the switch from residential to commercial work. April 6, 2007

Pricing Custom Cabinets and Trim

Even within one local market, prices can be all over the map. Balancing careful itemized estimating against local market conditions can help you turn a decent profit. August 23, 2006

Tooling Up for a High-School Wood-Shop Program

Cabinetmakers advise a high school shop teacher on how to equip a new shop class program. July 11, 2007

Methods for Pricing Cabinet Work

After years of estimating cabinet costs box by box in detail, you may have enough data to start taking short-cuts. October 2, 2007

Outsource, or Build it Yourself?

Shop owners discuss the pros and cons of outsourcing doors and drawers. August 29, 2005

Health Benefit Solutions

Woodworking shop owners discuss their experiences trying to provide employee health insurance benefits. March 5, 2008

Smoking Policies for Wood Shops

How should wood-shop employers deal with the issues raised by employees who smoke? The question leads to a lively debate. December 2, 2006

Using Spreadsheets in a Woodworking Business

Business owners describe how spreadsheets can help a woodworking shop get things done. April 6, 2007

Expanding portable sawmill business

A hard look at the pros and cons of expanding a business. October 9, 2002

Borrowing for Equipment Purchase — Good or Bad?

Shop owners discuss the promise and peril of debt financing. March 4, 2006

Dressing for Success (or , Throw your Toupee Away)

What should a woodworking pro wear for a first meeting with a client? Opinions vary all over the map in this lively discussion. January 9, 2006

Radios In The Shop

A discussion with as many opinions as there are styles of music. February 25, 2005

Pricing a Nice Built-In Cabinet

In this detailed thread, a cabinetmaker learns that he is way, way under-pricing his work — and picks up some good business tips. August 22, 2007

Pricing a Custom Piece of Furniture

A custom cabinet-maker asks for input on pricing a specially-ordered free-standing chest of drawers. The discussion covers a lot of ground on estimating, pricing, and the difference between cabinets and furniture. October 19, 2005

Parametric Drawings

Can parametric design simplify change orders? May 19, 2004

Low-Bid Bottom-Feeder Blues

but this discussion of commercial bidding, corner-cutting, and cut-throat competition is worth a look anyway. November 11, 2005

Speeding up the Work with a Value Stream Map

Drawing a map to visualize the steps in the production process helps cabinet shops streamline their processes and focus on productive activities instead of on moving parts around. October 2, 2007

Profit Margins

Defining profit and determining how much you should expect. November 22, 2004

Garage Shops

Woodworkers discuss the pros and cons of working out of a small shop building at your home. September 5, 2006

CNC configuration

Building a CNC router. May 1, 2003

The True Cost of Overtime

When you back out overhead, time-and-a-half wages for overtime hours may work out to a wash. But not always ... October 2, 2007

Choosing a Business Name

Catchy? Unique? Descriptive? At the front of the alphabet? Company owners discuss the value of a good business monicker. February 17, 2006

Win the Estimating Game

Understanding Costs Means Profit. November 5, 2002

Pricing a Bathroom Cabinet Job

Pros share estimating tips and pricing strategies. June 22, 2005

Does Outsourcing Cabinet Parts Make Sense for a Small Shop?

Cabinetmakers discuss the pros and cons of having parts cut by another shop. January 26, 2008

Structuring Performance Incentives

Business owners discuss ways to tie employee compensation to productivity. February 17, 2006

Project manager compensation

A conversation about PM pay grows into a detailed look at the cost of doing business. December 17, 2003

Just Been Under-Bid — What are the Lessons to Learn?

The "other guy" may be installing, err, inferior work. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't take a close look at ways to cut your own costs. December 2, 2006

Business, Craftsmanship, and Satisfaction

How do you keep love of woodworking alive and also run a successful woodworking business? No one said it would be easy... February 17, 2006

Drumming Up Job Leads

Shop owners offer a double handful of ways to direct-market your work to qualified buyers. July 9, 2007

Payment Schedules and Client-Caused Delays

When a client's not ready for delivery on time, it's hard for the cabinetmaker. Contracts should allow for that eventuality. March 26, 2008

Downsizing your shop

Businesses that have grown too fast or too big choose to cut back and go small. October 2, 2001

Responsibility for a Too-Dark Finish

A cabinetmaker is being asked to hold the bag for the poor work done by a painter who the customer hired. In this thread, professionals suggest ways to handle the problem. November 11, 2005

Moulding prices

Pricing product in a small, start-up moulding manufacturing operation. October 9, 2002

Markups, Profits, and Customer Perceptions

You shouldn't show customers your numbers — but you sure better understand them yourself. May 20, 2006

Who cuts sink holes?

Is this the responsibility of the cabinetmaker or installer? December 17, 2003

Overcatalyzation Callback Confusion

Here's a cautionary tale: A cabinetmaker dismisses a customer's legitimate complaint about finish discoloration because he think the customer is hiding something. Turns out, overcatalyzing the finish did cause it to turn orange after many months. Now the cabinetmaker has to apologize and make the jo ......

Pricing Puzzles (The Case of the Custom Corbels)

How do you explain to the customer why one-off woodworking products are so expensive? January 15, 2008

Finger Versus Tablesaw

A cautionary tale of a seven-stitches encounter with a tablesaw blade sets off a discussion of accidents had and lessons learned. April 25, 2006

Gauging Customer Interest

What makes cabinet customers get cold feet, or take forever to make up their mind? Cabinetmakers discuss sales methods and customer psychology. June 23, 2006

Drawings, Estimates, Bids, and Sales

Cabinetmakers explain how they sell their services to prospective clients. April 27, 2006

Cost of Estimates

Getting paid for time spent on a job before you know it's yours. April 18, 2004

Creating an installation division

Setting up a special division to install the product your company builds. July 9, 2002

Rewarding Employees for Job Leads

When an employee brings in a job lead, what's a reasonable finder's fee? March 14, 2005

Pay Scales for Cabinet Shop Workers

Pay rates vary by skill level, and also by region. Here, cabinetmakers dig into what makes a worker worth his wage. October 18, 2005

Straight-line vs. gang rip

Which is better suited to this moderate operation? June 24, 2002

Out-of-Level Brouhaha

Sparks fly when a cabinet installer goes with the out-of-level house for the sake of appearance. His story sets off a lively exchange of views. October 22, 2005

Changing Careers -- to Woodworking

Here's a half-dozen stories of people who've made the mid-life switch to a woodworking career. March 18, 2006

Employee Issue: Train or Let Go?

A shop owner is on the fence about a new hire: keep him on and hope for improvement, or fire him now? Experienced employers discuss philosophies and approaches. July 24, 2005

Switching to a Woodworking Career

A professional pilot who loves woodworking is considering a career change. His story sets off a spirited discussion on the ups and downs of the self-employed craftsman's life. November 10, 2005

Recycled barn wood

Processing and marketing reclaimed lumber. September 23, 2003

Selecting CNC Machinery

Choosing a machine to best suit your operation. January 28, 2004

Bidding a Commercial Cabinet Job

Residential cabinetmaker gets advice on pricing a commercial unit. May 4, 2005

How to Be Ready for OSHA

Either the safety agency itself, or a private consultant, can help you identify hazards and avoid possible penalties — before you're surprised by a "real" enforcement inspection. April 20, 2007

Managing a One-Man Shop for Income

A solo operator's question about reasonable income expectations kicks off a long discussion of wise management practices. October 3, 2006

Prospects for a Handyman Business

There's a huge pent-up demand out there for all-purpose Mr. Fixit men. October 3, 2006

Kitchen Projects: Required Deposits

The policy of demanding a deposit gets fouled up when contractors are involved. December 26, 2004

Melamine Cabinet Boxes

Can melamine move in as plywood quality degrades? October 5, 2004

Marketing Cabinet Design Work

Ideas for marketing drawing services to shops in need. July 28, 2004

Estimating Start-Up Costs

A brand new business owner seeks input on projecting first-year expenses. January 6, 2005

Figuring labor and overhead

Factoring in all the variables, and ways to learn financial management. July 24, 2002

Labor Rates and Profit

A lively discussion about how to value various skill levels of labor in pricing woodworking installations. December 2, 2006

Unstable Cabinet Geometry and Toppling Risk

A furniture maker wrestles with the stability and safety issues of a tall, narrow freestanding cabinet with one heavy glass door. August 21, 2006

Motivating Employees for Productivity

Shop owners discuss management styles, regulating work hours, and ways to cultivate a good employee work ethic. June 23, 2006

Should a Cabinetmaker Agree to Let the Contractor Install Cabinets?

For various reasons, most cabinetmakers prefer to install their own work — unless they know and trust the installer. December 2, 2006

Business Tips for the One-Man Cabinet Shop

A solo operator's running hard just to stay in one place. Fellow business owners offer practical advice. August 3, 2005

Learning from an Under-Pricing Mistake

When inexperience leads a good cabinetmaker to under-price a nice kitchen, he tries to make up for it on a time-and-materials island — but the ensuing sticker shock strains his relationship with the customer. Older hands point out the lessons he should draw from his mishap. December 2, 2006

Potential of a One-Man Shop

Is it realistic to think a small shop owner can make a decent living? December 9, 2004

Start-Up Advice for Businesses

It's the same old story: A skilled craftsman (and new solo businessman) just figured out he's been making three dollars an hour. Guys who have been there and done that chime in with advice and encouragement. December 14, 2005

Estimating and Pricing for Cabinet Installation

Cabinetmakers and installers discuss the ins and outs of pricing methods and rules of thumb. September 4, 2005

The Last Word on Marketing

Everyone's looking for that one book called "How to Effectively Market Cabinets for The Least Cost and Effort". Until it comes out, here's another Knowledge Base thread with some pretty good ideas. August 13, 2007

Competitive pricing

Establishing a pricing system that will bring you plenty of jobs and profit. November 22, 2001

Bidding Wars in Perspective

Seeing another company's low-ball bid starts a cabinetmaker thinking. December 26, 2006

Should I charge more?

Cabinetmakers share their systems for determining pricing. August 29, 2001

New Shop Layout

Efficient shop flow for increased profit. February 28, 2004

One Man, One Kitchen, How Many Days?

Solo cabinetmakers compare notes on the time it takes them to complete a basic kitchen job. April 26, 2006

Coping with Customer Foot-Dragging

Case example: dealing with contract and money issues on a custom job when a customer dawdles. December 2, 2006

Working Exclusively for One Client

When a client suggests an exclusive arrangement, it's wise to think carefully about the potential downside. March 18, 2006

Shop Maintenance and Cleaning

How to get your crew behind the idea that "a clean shop is a safe and happy shop." May 6, 2006

Financing Big Equipment Purchases

Don't look for long-term loans — equipment should pay for itself inside of five years. January 22, 2006

Presenting A Quote

There are reasons to sell the job face to face, in person. April 10, 2005

Understanding "Demand" and "Energy" Charges on Commercial Electric Bills

Electric utility companies charge shops a fee for the power you might use (or your peak power draw), as well as for the juice you actually consume. Here, shop owners describe what that arrangement can do to your utility bill's bottom line. February 18, 2007

Focusing on Profitable Work

Shop owners brainstorm about keeping their companies targeted on the work they do best and make the most money on. November 5, 2007

Three-Way Communications Involving the Client

A woodworker who subcontracts on custom job needs advice on meetings and decisions involving the client. What are the rules of the road on a three-way street? October 25, 2006

Smart Leasing Tactics

When you need to rent space for your woodworking shop, favorable lease terms can be a real plus for your business. December 7, 2007

Lean Manufacturing

A discussion of how to eliminate wasted time and effort on the shop floor. October 19, 2006

Building Your Own Spray Room -- On a Budget

Technical advice and alternatives for a small operator building a new shop. February 25, 2005

Working for Friends

Offering friends a special deal can blur the boundaries between what's personal and what's professional. Here, an example triggers a long and thoughtful discussion. August 23, 2006

Switching to Factory-Built Cabinets

A Gulf Coast cabinetmaker has had good luck with a line of factory cabinets. His story triggers a discussion of today's market realities and the pros and cons of adding factory-made cabs to your business model. November 10, 2006

The Salesman's Cut

gets paid for the sale? Business owners debate the ethics of a tricky sales situation. November 10, 2006

Should a Trim Carpenter Start a Cabinet Business?

Business forum posters think he might do better with a trim business (top finish carpenters can earn a good buck on their own). June 23, 2006

Lumber: Quantity or Quality?

The debate over speed or grade when sawing for profit. January 29, 2004

Moving Beyond Drying

A small drying operation wants to invest in planing, jointing, and ripping. March 18, 2005

Direct-Mail Marketing for Local Woodworkers

Direct mail definitely works if you do it right. Here are some success stories and tips. November 19, 2006

Color Matching and Customer Relations

Can a finisher match colors that exist in a client's mind, and make money at the same time? March 26, 2007

Managing Multiple Projects

Shop owners share methods for keeping multipe jobs on track while saving your own sanity. November 10, 2005

32mm manual vs NBM setups

Will any efficiency be gained by adding high-tech equipment to a small shop? July 24, 2002

Construction Factoring and Accounts Receivable Financing

A growing cabinet business has run into cash flow problems, and is considering working with a "factoring" outfit. Fellow businessmen advise the owner to think twice. November 19, 2005

Marketing Porch Furniture

A woodworker has a large overstock of wooden porch swings left over when a big buyer backed out. Here, others critique his online marketing presentation as he tries to move the surplus. January 10, 2008

The Most Important Skills to Learn

An apprentice woodworker asks what he should concentrate on for a career in the trade, and gets a full helping of good advice. October 2, 2005

Correcting Employee Mistakes

Too many mistakes cost a company time and money. Here's advice on managing an employee whose elementary goofs have become a problem. October 2, 2007

Cabinet Refacing

Can it work as a business? Pros share business and tech tips. June 17, 2005

Are Small Walk-In Customers Worth It?

Should a woodworking shop bother with a half-hour job for a drop-in customer? May 5, 2007

Pricing per square foot

Pricing work by the square foot, and why not to do so

Building a Shop

Cabinet shop owners converse about what they would do differently if they were to build their shop all over again, again. August 14, 2007

Software for Tracking Shop Time and Materials

Business owners discuss spreadsheet and other software solutions for keeping track of job inputs. December 26, 2007

What is value added?

Forum participants give technical and personal definitions. April 2, 2002

Adding Floor Space Versus Re-Designing Workflow

A company that's cramped for space may need more room. But consider also the option of re-configuring your work process. July 3, 2006

How to Charge for Finishing

Determining costs and profit on finishing jobs. November 22, 2004

Cost of Shop Power

Understanding (and minimizing) your shop's utility bill. July 5, 2006

Sample commercial contract

Example of a woodworker's contract for a bid job. January 28, 2002

Hardwood Flooring Grades -- Offer Affordable Choices

Making sure the budget matches the vision. November 15, 2001

Crating and shipping products

Advice on finding the most cost-effective and reliable shipping solutions. July 29, 2003

Advertising Signs on Your Vehicle

Target the market you want, and the leads will roll in. March 14, 2005

Architectural Millwork Installer Compensation

Owners and employees discuss the wages installers make, and the factors that affect the value of labor. November 11, 2005

Pricing a Built-In Bookshelf

Another tour through familiar territory: How much is this bookcase worth? And should neighbors catch a break? November 26, 2007

What to Say When the Job's Too Small

For a busy shop, "small" jobs can be an unprofitable, time-wasting distraction. But what's the best way to treat those potential customers? April 20, 2007

Woodworkers and Labor Unions

Woodworkers discuss the relevance of organized labor to modern conditions in the industry. February 6, 2007

Moving Into Commercial Work

Cabinetmakers discuss the ins and outs of pursuing, landing, and executing commercial work. November 4, 2007

What Makes a Partnership Work?

Lessons learned from successful partnerships. April 24, 2006

Value-Added Processing -- for the Sawmill

How to make sawing, drying and other processing operations profitable. March 22, 2001

Should I Cut Prices to Boost Sales?

Another take on the age-old question of whether a cabinet business should cut prices when sales are slow. August 12, 2007

Dry lumber kiln -- buying your first

Business and technical considerations when getting started in kiln drying. March 19, 2001

Defining "Quality" in Custom Cabinet Work

Pleasing customers is about matching their expectations, not your own. Cabinet shop pros discuss how to succeed with custom work in a competitive market. August 29, 2005

New Shop Options — Steel Building or Pole Building?

Business owners discuss the costs and merits of engineered steel buildings and pole barns. September 4, 2005

Radiant Floor Heating for a Small Shop

Shop owners who have tried it recommend radiant floor heating, and offer tips for a good installation. April 24, 2006

Outsourcing Design Work – Why or Why Not?

A CAD artist who wants to draw for others on a contract basis gets feedback about the usefulness and value of that proposed service. February 8, 2008

Why Owning a Cabinet Shop is Tough

Cabinet shop owners discuss why it's so hard to succeed in cabinetmaking, and discuss strategies for doing so. February 18, 2007

Price Negotiations

Ways to handle a client who asks for a line-item breakdown of your estimate. June 29, 2005

Running a Part-Time Cabinet Shop

Many successful cabinetmakers got their start with a part-time operation. Here is some wise advice on how to make it work. June 23, 2006

Questions for a Sales Interviewee to Ask

Applying for a sales job? Here's a useful list for when it's your turn to ask them a few questions. August 13, 2007

Installation scheduling

When he can't keep up with the jobs the sales staff hands him, what's an installer to do? June 24, 2001

Competing with the Factories

Custom quality at a mass-produced price? Pros debate the issue. February 25, 2005

Managing Customer Indecision

Here's a nice discussion of interpersonal techniques and contract language that keep a customer's inability to make a timely decision from damaging your bottom line. October 2, 2007

Resolving a Stain-Matching Dispute

By its nature, matching stain is an imperfect process. Here, a finisher's story about a problem with a customer leads to a discussion of contract terms and policies for matching stain. June 23, 2006

High-Volume Cabinet Install Jobs — Is It Worth It?

Cabinet installers discuss the potential pitfalls of a 50-kitchen installation contract, and share tips for making a success of it. March 20, 2007

Middle-Man Muddle

what's the proper way to structure your relationship with someone who's your go-between with the end customer? August 29, 2005

Cost of Carrying Employees

Shop owners discuss the costs associated with employing help, the value of good employees, and the advantages of going through a temp agency. September 4, 2005

Starting a portable sawmilling business

Advice on making a living with a start-up sawmilling business. June 24, 2001

Struggling to Get Paid

Cabinetmakers discuss payment problems in the industry, and compare contract and billing strategies. July 3, 2006

Making Time in a Small Shop

A 2-man shop needs to pick up speed. Should they buy tools or revamp their process? March 17, 2005

Marketing High-End Cabinets

Cabinetmakers share ideas for attracting big-ticket clients. February 10, 2004

Owning Your Shop Building

Pros supply strong arguments for the idea that buying (or building) is a better strategy than leasing. April 6, 2007

Six Simple Marketing Steps

Wood marketing tips from Forest Service expert Steve Bratkovich, with feedback from sawmill owners and lumber dealers. July 26, 2005

Looking Back at Life

Ever punch a rooster? Business owners discuss the meaning and purpose of life — and how to enjoy it. January 22, 2006

Learning Opportunities for a Disabled Veteran in Furniture-Making

There are programs available that can help a veteran make use of his educational and disability benefits. March 20, 2007

Outsourcing drawings

Positive and negative experiences from those who have hired the job out. October 30, 2002

What to Do When a Customer Bid-Shops You

Pros give advice on handling the situation where a customer asks a cabinetmaker to price-compete with a low-ball bidder. (Note: The good guys won this one.) February 17, 2006

Ballparks, Estimates, Quotes and Bids -- The Fudge Factor

A newcomer to business gets advice on managing uncertainty in the cost of a job. March 14, 2005

Estimating and Pricing Commercial Work

Big, complicated jobs are an opportunity to make or lose money through the accuracy of your estimating. Here is some advice on coming to grips with the details that determine your costs. October 23, 2007

Project and Product Photography for Cabinetmakers

A good professional photographer will give you the best results. But if you want to do it yourself, there are ways to improve your technique. January 26, 2008

Payment Schedules in Commercial Cabinetry Work

When it comes to deposits, progress payments, and final payment, commercial work is a whole nother world. Here's the voice of experience on bidding and contracting those jobs. August 7, 2006

What to Do when a Customer Won't Follow Through

and what can you do then? Here, cabinetmakers consider the case of a builder customer who won't take delivery on cabs for his own house. September 8, 2007

Why Build Face Frame