Your custom stair or railing, from first idea to final walkthrough
Every Great Lakes project follows the same six phases. Here’s what happens in each one, what we’ll need from you, and when you’ll hear from us.
- Estimates good for 30 days*
- Nothing is cut until you sign off
- Built and inspected in our own shop
- A final walkthrough before we call it done
Before you commit
In process
Most projects take 5ā8 weeks from signed drawings**
Before you commit
No cost, no obligation. Share what you have and we’ll take it from there.
Tell us what you’re picturing
Start with as much or as little as you have. A quick request gets you in line. A few extra details get you a faster, more accurate estimate.
Optional
Save projects you love
Browse our past work and tap the heart on up to four projects. They’re attached to your request automatically, so we see the look you’re after from the start.
About a minute
Start your request
Your name and contact info, who you are (homeowner, builder, architect or designer, property manager), the type of project, your ZIP code, and any drawings or photos you already have.
Optional, speeds up your estimate
Add the details
Material and finish, how you’d like measurements handled, delivery or installation, your timeline, and the project address. The more we know up front, the fewer calls before your estimate.
What happens next: our estimator reviews your request and follows up to clarify your scope of work.
Get your project estimate
A detailed estimate built around your project. Take your time with it. It stays good for 30 days.*
What we do
- Review the information you provided
- Clarify your scope of work
- Prepare a detailed estimate
What you do
- Look it over and ask any questions
- Visit our office to see stairs, railings, and finishes in person (optional)
- Approve when you’re ready
- Send a 30% deposit to start
Typical timing: estimate within 7 business days**
Milestone: estimate approved and 30% deposit received
Your deposit locks in your spot in our schedule and starts your project moving.
In process
We’ll text and email you as your project moves into each new phase, so you always know where things stand.
Create your shop drawings
We turn your approved design into precise, fabrication-ready drawings, and you sign off before anything goes to the shop floor.
What we do
- Take measurements on site with a 3D laser measure, or send you a measuring template
- Prepare accurate design drawings
- Make any last adjustments based on your feedback
What you do
- Review the drawings
- Ask for changes now, while they’re easy
- Finalize your finish and color
- Sign off on the design
- Send a 30% installment
Make all your selections before you sign. This is the last approval point before we build, so your finish, color, and any other choices need to be final here.
Typical timing: 1ā4 weeks**
Milestone: drawings signed. Nothing is cut before this.
After sign-off, changes become a formal change order, which can reopen drafting and may move your place in our schedule.
Built in our shop
Your signed drawings go straight to our shop floor.
What we do
- Prepare production drawings for the shop
- Order final materials
- Cut, fit, and weld everything in-house
- Dress welds and joints to NOMMA specs
What you do
Nothing. We’ll let you know when your piece moves to finishing.
Typical timing: 1ā2 weeks**
Finished to last
Your piece is prepped and finished to the material and finish you chose, protecting it and giving it the final look.
What we do
- Prepare parts for coating
- Apply your finish: powder coat, galvanizing, or as specified
- Inspect for quality control
What you do
Send your next 30% installment as production wraps up.
Typical timing: 1ā3 weeks**. Specialty finishes may take longer depending on the process.
Delivered, installed, walked through
We schedule a date that works for you, install your finished piece, and walk through it together before we call the job done.
What we do
- Schedule delivery and install around you
- Prep the site as needed and install
- Handle any final touch-up on site
- Walk through the finished piece with you
What you do
- Have the site ready: access clear, construction finished, other trades done
- Join us for the final walkthrough
- Submit the final 10% payment (due upon receipt or install)
Delivery only? Be ready to receive and unload your project.
Picking up locally? Bring padding, moving blankets, straps, and anything else you need to protect and secure the load.
Done. Enjoy it.
Help us keep your project on schedule
Most projects move through all six phases without a hitch. These three things make the biggest difference.
Reply when we reach out
Drawing reviews and scheduling questions are the most common holdups. A quick reply keeps things moving.
Lock in changes before sign-off
Changes are easy during drafting. After drawings are signed, they become a change order.
Have the site ready
Finished construction, clear access, and other trades done by install day.
A few things nobody controls: specialty material availability, weather on outdoor installs, and permit or HOA approvals. If one of these affects your project, we’ll keep you posted.
Ready to start?
Tell us what you’re picturing. It takes about a minute. Questions at any point? Call or text 248-218-0540 or email .
*Due to instability in metals markets, all estimates are based on the cost of material at the time the estimate is prepared. Because of mill-imposed metal surcharges, fuel surcharges, and price increases on special-order material, Great Lakes Metal Fabrication reserves the right to adjust the selling price to the price in effect when material is received. All estimates are subject to material availability.
**Timing for estimating, drawing, production, and coating will vary based on scope of work.
