Out for spraying, due back sometime
The kitchen doors went to a specialist sprayer for a painted finish you do not do in-house. The steel base for the dining table went to a metalworker. The dining chair seats went to an upholsterer. Each was dropped off with a quick chat and a sketch. Now the fitting date is next week, and you are not sure whether the sprayer knew the colour code, when the metalworker said the base would be ready, or whether the upholsterer has the fabric.
Outside work lives in phone calls
Many furniture makers rely on trusted specialists for parts of the work. It is a sensible way to offer more without buying equipment. The weak point is the handover.
- Instructions are given verbally or on a sketch.
- Return dates are agreed in conversation and not written down.
- Nobody has a list of what is currently out, and where.
- Prices are agreed by phone and checked against invoices from memory.
- Problems with returned work are raised without a record of what was asked for.
What losing sight costs
Late outside work delays assembly, fitting and delivery. Wrong colours or details mean redoing work you depend on someone else for. Invoices that do not match what was agreed are hard to query. And chasing specialists takes time and strains relationships you rely on.
Outside work on each commission
- Any step of a commission can be marked as outside work, with the specialist, what they are receiving and the spec, such as colour code, sheen, drawings or fabric.
- A job sheet is produced for the specialist with the spec, drawings and photos, and sent by email or handed over with the parts.
- The agreed price and return date are recorded, and the step appears in your workshop schedule.
- Reminders go to you and, if you want, the specialist before the return date. Late items appear on a daily list.
- When parts come back, they are checked in, with photos and any problems noted against the job sheet.
- Specialists' invoices are checked against the agreed price before you pay.
| Item | Today | With outside work tracking |
|---|---|---|
| Instructions | Verbal or sketch | Job sheet with spec |
| Return date | In conversation | Recorded and on the schedule |
| What is out | Memory | Daily list |
| Returned work | Looked over | Checked against the job sheet |
| Invoice | Paid | Checked against agreed price |
Specialists as part of the plan
You know what is out, where and when it is due. Specialists receive clear instructions, so there is less room for misunderstanding. Problems are raised against a written spec, which makes them easier to resolve fairly. And your schedule includes outside steps, so delivery dates account for them.
Clear job sheets also make it easier to try a new specialist. When your usual sprayer is too busy, you can send the same sheet to someone else knowing that the colour, sheen and details are written down. Over time the returned-work notes show which specialists deliver on time and to spec, which helps when you decide where to send the next job.
Is outside work slipping?
- Pieces go to specialists with verbal instructions.
- Return dates are not written down.
- You have had to redo work because a spec was misunderstood.
- Nobody can list what is currently out.
- Specialists' invoices are paid without checking.