Project Management at WOODWEB's Knowledge Base

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Bidding Cabinet Work for School Jobs

Supplying cabinets for school construction or renovation projects is a rough business where it's easy for the small competitor to get beat. October 27, 2011

Communication and Adjustment in Cabinet Installation

Thoughts on assuming or accepting responsibility for measurements on site during installation. February 17, 2011

Work-Station Shop Organization Systems

Thoughts on a shop setup that involves moving the workpiece from station to station, rather than moving pieces and tools onto and off of a single work bench.May 23, 2011

Comparing Assembly Methods for Euro Cab Construction

Starting with a question about entry-level cabinet assembly, and bypassing a digression about business qualifications, this thread digs deep into the relative advantages of different assembly methods and process systems for a production cabinet shop. April 27, 2011

Big Monitors for On-Screen Estimating

A discussion of the hardware and software upgrades involved in switching to all-digital (paperless) estimating and takeoffs. April 27, 2011

Whether to Take a "Hot Job"

Shop owners discuss the temptations — and risks — inherent in that one big-money, high-profile job that could put some fat loot in your pocket (but could also disrupt your whole business). April 21, 2011

Panel Processing Time with and without CNC

A CNC shop and a cabinetmaker using conventional equipment compare the labor time used to cut up and bore an entire kitchen. January 1, 2012

Communication Between Cabinet Shops About Outsourced Work

A busy cabinetmaker who needs to send work to another shop for cutting on CNC equipment wishes the other shop would meet him halfway on the transfer of information. A debate ensues. January 31, 2012

Murphy's Law in the Shop

Bad things happen to good people. Want to hear about it? January 2, 2012

Boosting Production and Quality with Lean Methods

Written routines, checklists, cross-training, and creative teamwork all have their place in an effort to improve shop output. August 29, 2011

Keeping Hinges Organized

Advice on organizing hinge inventory, and making sure the correct hinges get installed. August 15, 2011

New Hires and Production Problems

Adding new employees to speed up production can have exactly the opposite effect. Here's a case in point. July 20, 2011

Getting Off the Treadmill

Advice for a one-man shop about creating a little free time in your life. April 4, 2011

Making Money with LEAN Systems

A thread that starts out with a question about stock versus custom cabinetry turns into a lesson in LEAN systems. October 13, 2010

Pricing Cabinet Installation Work

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

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

Sustainable forestry

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

AutoCAD Drawings, Step by Step

Efficient development of shop drawings. April 18, 2004

Developing a Cabinet Business

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

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

Finding Good Finishing Help

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

Six Sigma Strikes

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

Challenging Issues for Wood Shops

This thread tackles two issues at one time (listing the top issues confronting wood shops, and managing multiple different kinds of work), and beats both into submission. July 30, 2009

Cultivating Initiative and Creativity on the Shop Floor

Here's a thoughtful discussion about how a shop foreman can train his employees how to think for themselves, rather than simply solving problems for them. Also mentioned: how to craft shop SOP's. February 11, 2010

Production Tips, part three

Part three of three from Woodworking International Magazine, offering proven ideas for increasing efficiency in production shops. 1998.

Appliance Cutouts

Standards, and a lack of, for kitchen appliace cutouts. August 7, 2004

Streamlining High-Volume Cabinet Production

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

Production Tips, part two

Part two of three from Woodworking International Magazine, offering proven ideas for increasing efficiency in production shops. 1998.

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

Scribing cabinets and Z clips

Issues of overhang and attachment are discussed. February 19, 2002

Punch-List Management Strategies

Cabinetmakers discuss ways to streamline the installation punch-out process. May 20, 2009

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

Partnerships and Other Ways to Share Shop Space

The pros and (mostly) cons of partner-run businesses. October 27, 2009

Speeding Up CNC Router Production

Tips on operation, loading and unloading for efficiency. December 26, 2004

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

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

Hardwood Built-In Installations

Hardwood Built-Ins Create Striking Centerpiece. December 3, 2001

Expanding portable sawmill business

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

Parametric Drawings

Can parametric design simplify change orders? May 19, 2004

Win the Estimating Game

Understanding Costs Means Profit. November 5, 2002

Project manager compensation

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

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

Who cuts sink holes?

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

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

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

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

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

Mistake-Proofing Cabinet Jobs

Deep thoughts on office, shop, and job-site standard operating procedures that can reduce the human-error factor in cabinet production and installation. April 29, 2010

Terminating a Job in Mid-Project

This story of a job gone sour has a happy ending: The cabinetmaker gets out in good shape by having a good contract and standing his ground. January 13, 2009

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

Scribing loose end panels

Woodworkers describe the processes they use. April 3, 2002

Potential of a One-Man Shop

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

Coping with Customer Foot-Dragging

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

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

Outsourcing Drafting Work

Contracting outside your company for CAD drawings creates a management challenge. Here's a discussion of how to handle the complications. December 14, 2009

Good information equals production excellence

How can you assure that employees have all the information they need to do excellent work? September 26, 2000

Managing Multiple Projects

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

Scribe Rails -- Why Not?

Why are custom shops not including scribe material on backs? August 26, 2004

Software for Tracking Shop Time and Materials

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

Components--Not Cabinets

A longtime adherent of the system process of cabinet manufacturing makes his case for componentizing. 1998.

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

Mulligan Stew: Random Observations -- and Ideas on Management

A bunch of different stuff that owners and managers of woodworking business should think about. 1998.

Sample commercial contract

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

Is this customer worth the hassle?

The project was complete and paid for in full. Then, the customer requested a "free" change to it. June 7, 2000

Layer Names and Line Defaults

Organizing and simplifying layers in CAD. May 19, 2004

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

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

Project GC Schedules in Commercial Cabinet Work

Commercial casework builders complain about the way general contractors manage the schedules. July 30, 2009

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

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

Commercial Work Versus Residential Work

Here's another good thread on the pitfalls of commercial cabinetmaking work. May 28, 2010

Outsourcing drawings

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

Radius of Convex Wall

Formulas for calculating this measurement. May 19, 2004

Managing On-Site Work

Knowing how to handle yourself and your employees on a job site is critical to winning future referrals. 1998.

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

Appropriate job deposits

What percentage of the price on a job is it okay to ask for up front? September 2, 2002

From residential to commercial work

What risks are involved when moving into much larger scale jobs? June 4, 2003

Production Tips, part one

Part one of three from Woodworking International Magazine, offering proven ideas for increasing efficiency in production shops. 1998.

TOC and Complexity

Is the "Theory of Constraints" of limited practicality because it focuses on simple, linear event chains with the assumption that there is only one limiting constraint? Woodweb goes fractal on the shop floor. November 15, 2010

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

Late Deliveries and Customer Relations

How do you tell a customer that you're going to miss a delivery date? October 13, 2010

Keeping Tabs on Job Progress as a Sub

The cabinet contractor on a ten-unit project worries that the GC is not keeping him informed about the schedule. August 31, 2009

Analyzing Cabinetmaking Processes to Improve Productivity

Here's a cogent explanation of how breaking your work processes down into detailed small steps can help you save time and labor cost. October 26, 2007

Door Panel Tolerances

Sloppy fit : Is the supplier at fault? August 7, 2004

How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?

A wide-open question sparks an interesting discussion of the factors that can affect scheduling of a kitchen remodel. July 12, 2008

10 hour days vs 8 hour days

Pros and cons of working 4 - 10's versus 5 - 8's. August 13, 2002

Biscuits Or Butt Joints

High-quality, high-speed cabinet joinery techniques. October 20, 2004

Contracts and Collections

Owning a woodworking business is great, provided you remember it is a business. How to contract carefully, and get paid. 1998.

Milling for shares

Sawyers discuss the practicality and profitability of share-cutting. March 4, 2002

Installations in High Rise Residential Buildings

Advice on the ins and outs of installing cabinetry and millwork in the upper stories of a tall building in the city. July 13, 2010

Time Tracking for Individual Tasks

Various time tracking methods - from time clocks and paper forms to electronic devices which input to a computer. May 10, 2005

Assertiveness Training for Woodworkers

One in a series, looking at the relationships between woodworking companies and the businesses they deal with. 1998.

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

Whether to Back Out of a Job over Site Conditions

Cabinet installers discuss the contract and management issues involved when you encounter unexpected and troublesome site conditions. May 7, 2007

Outsourcing Cabinet Boxes to CNC Shops

Outsourcing custom cabinet panel cutting to a CNC shop is a workable system for some businesses. March 18, 2006

Applied wainscot

Creating fake raised panels for the lower portion of walls. April 3, 2002

What NOT to expect from your computer -- Unreasonable expectations & wishful thinking

expect as a result of computerization. 1998

Moving to Metric

Tips on making the transition as smooth as possible. September 9, 2004

New Year's Resolutions -- Or: Leaving a Paper Trail

You can learn a lot from the paperwork a job generates, especially if you're careful to generate plenty of it. 1998.

Architects and Delay

Thoughts on how to manage the relationship with an architect who is not diligent about staying on schedule. July 30, 2009

Base cabinet installation

How to cope with wavy floors. April 3, 2002

To cleat or not to cleat

Does cleating cabinets save installation time and money? April 3, 2002

Retainage, what is it?

Retainage is defined and a lively discussion ensues. June 6, 2000

Potential Pitfalls of Commercial Trim Jobs

If you're new to commercial work, be careful. Payment schedules can slip, and you can get roped into extra work you hadn't counted on. July 27, 2008

Work diversity -- Good or bad?

Should a new business take on everything from cabinetmaking to house construction? June 6, 2001

Contracts versus cost-plus

Some jobs are impossible to estimate. But don't walk away until you've proposed working on a 'cost-plus' basis. 1998.

Carpenter to accomplished installer

How do you train a carpenter to become a cabinet and millwork installer? July 9, 2002

Joining boards end to end

What's the best way to do it when creating a 20' oak top? April 2, 2002

Profitability of a one man shop

Woodworkers share their experiences making a living on their own. October 24, 2001

Should engineers do parts drawings?

Product engineers can draw impressive sketches. But should they be expected to write code? November 15, 2000

Make Your Time Count in Production

Ways to reduce wasted time on site in remodeling work. September 22, 2007

Installing cabinets over tile

Tying kicks to a tile floor, and the complications presented by floor-integrated radiant heating. February 19, 2002

Frameless Cabinets With Traditional Look

Achieving quality and style with framless construction. April 4, 2004

Possible yearly earnings

What kind of sales volume does it take to support a six-figure salary in a two-man shop? May 9, 2001

The Other Side of Estimating

How good cost accounting keeps your pricing structure 'honest.' 1998.

Shop Productivity With a New CNC

It seems more efficient to go on cutting parts manually than to program the CNC... what's missing? October 5, 2004

Job estimating: How-to

A primer for woodworkers on doing accurate job estimates. June 7, 2000

Investing in Fixer-Uppers

Can you make money buying, updating, and selling fixer-upper properties? Yes, but. Here, some who have tried it share what they've learned. February 17, 2006

Managing Schedules and Paperwork

Business owners supply tips on tracking job progress and keeping paperwork organized. September 5, 2006

Titleblock in CAD

How-to instructions for setting up a titleblock for your template. July 24, 2002

Shop Drawing Submittals in Metric

When converting to 32mm construction, should all drawings be done in metric as well? April 18, 2004

Keeping Cabinet Assembly Organized

Cabinetmakers discuss ways to keep track of jobs and avoid confusion. November 21, 2006

Digitizing board recommendations

Digitizing drawings that are larger than the tablet. July 24, 2002

Cabinet Installation Business Arrangements

A discussion of piece-rate prices, retainage, and other contract provisions for cabinet installation jobs. February 6, 2007

Cabinets over outlets and cables

Options for installing over electrical outlets and computer cables. July 9, 2002

Doors: Outsourcing vs. in-house

Exploring issues of quality control, efficiency and profitability. November 7, 2001

Managing Pesky Clients

When clients are living in the home while cabinets are installed, sometimes they take a little too much interest in the work. In this thread, installers suggest tactful ways to deflect their attention eslewhere. October 22, 2005

Installing refrigerator end panels

The search for better methods. April 3, 2002

Clarifying Architect Specifications for Cabinetry

Here's a good discussion concerning communication about job specs in a complex situation. December 1, 2010

Working for a Home Theater Company

A cabinetmaker got an offer to build all the cabinets for a home theater company. Here are the tips he received on how to size up the opportunity — and make the most of it. October 18, 2005

Selling work despite long lead times

September 26, 2000

Shop flow

Enhancing efficiency in the workplace by carefully planning shop layout. January 16, 2002

Time Management After Downsizing

When you lay off your office people, how do you stay on top of all the stuff they used to do? April 13, 2010

Estimating drafting time

Charging for time spent on job drawings. January 3, 2003

Installing Cabinets When Carpet Has Been Laid

Thoughts on how to handle the business and technical problems raised when a GC asks the cabinet installer to follow the carpet installer in the job sequence. August 31, 2009

How Not to Over-Think a Project

A question about filling nail holes for a pre-built fireplace surround prompts some wise thoughts about the effective use of time and brainpower. March 4, 2007

Handling Government Contract Work

Government work is its own strange world, so learn the ropes and be careful. October 8, 2005

Dowels: Best for frameless construction?

The case is made (no pun intended) for doweling in frameless cabinet construction. 1998.

Solid surface fabrication in-house

Should a 30-person shop be subcontracting its solid-surface work or doing it in-house? April 2, 2002

Growing a business

Keeping your mind on what matters in a healthy business, with a nod to Paul Hawken. May 19, 2003

Estimating price of CNC projects

Formulas for calculating how much to charge on CNC jobs. January 3, 2001

CNC industry pricing

What goes into formulating your pricing system. September 2, 2002

Going metric: Pros and cons

Pros and cons of converting to metric measurement in your shop. February 28, 2001

The Purpose of Shop Drawings

Builders often ask for shop drawings when offering a cabinet job in a custom home project. "Paper is still cheaper than wood," notes one pro: Here's an explanation of how the drawings serve the needs of everyone involved. November 11, 2005

Sample Subcontractor Agreement

Spelling out the parameters of the work and relationship to avoid legal problems. April 4, 2004

Radius of an arc

Formulas for determining the radius of an arc, or "eyebrow"

Am I charging enough for work?

A woodworker wonders where his profits are. June 7, 2000

Lumber drying options and efficiencies

The Wood Doctor's favorite references for making decisions among lumber-drying options. 1998.

AWI: A boon to sales?

The effects of AWI membership on sales are discussed. June 7, 2000

Calculating a material waste factor

How to determine a wastage factor to be applied when pricing work. November 29, 2000

"Work in Progress," Efficiency, and Profit

Here's a long and somewhat abstract and meandering discussion that still makes some interesting points about how reducing the number of overlapping tasks happening at once can eliminate management headaches and improve productivity. April 20, 2008

When a Job Goes Sour

Expectations were unclear, now the customer is unhappy. What to do? May 4, 2005

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