Commissioning a bespoke piece of metalwork — whether it is a driveway gate, a spiral staircase or a sculptural feature wall — involves a sequence of decisions that directly affect the final result. This guide walks through the process we follow at Committas so you know what to expect and how to prepare.
Step 1: Define the Brief
Every successful project begins with a clear brief. Before approaching a fabricator, gather as much information as you can about what you need:
- What is the item? (gate, balustrade, furniture, screen, etc.)
- Where will it be installed? (indoor/outdoor, coastal, high-traffic)
- What are the critical dimensions and constraints?
- Do you have reference images or sketches?
- Is there a specific material preference? (steel, stainless, aluminium)
- What finish do you want? (raw, painted, powder-coated, galvanised)
The more detail you provide upfront, the more accurate the initial quote will be and the fewer revisions will be needed during the design phase.
Step 2: Design and Drawings
If you have architectural or engineering drawings, share them with the fabricator. If not, most experienced workshops — including ours — can produce workshop drawings from dimensioned sketches, photographs or verbal descriptions.
For structural items like staircases and mezzanines, an engineer may need to certify the design. We coordinate this with accredited structural engineers and include the certification timeline in the project schedule.
Step 3: Material Selection
Material choice affects appearance, durability, weight and cost. Your fabricator should explain the trade-offs clearly. For example, a mild steel gate will be cheaper to fabricate but requires a protective finish (galvanising or powder coating) to prevent rust, while an aluminium gate costs more in raw material but resists corrosion without additional treatment.
For coastal properties on the Gold Coast, we frequently recommend 316-grade stainless steel or marine-grade aluminium (5052/5083) to withstand salt-laden air.
Step 4: Fabrication
Once drawings are approved and materials ordered, fabrication begins. The specific processes depend on the item: laser cutting for precision flat components, press braking for bends, welding for assemblies and machining for tight-tolerance fittings. Quality checks happen at each stage — dimensional verification, weld inspection and surface assessment.
Lead times vary. A simple gate might take a week from approved drawings, while a multi-flight staircase could require four to six weeks.
Step 5: Finishing
Finishing is applied after fabrication. Options include powder coating (most common for colour and protection), hot-dip galvanising (maximum corrosion protection), clear-coat sealants (to preserve a raw metal look) and patina treatments (for decorative weathered effects).
If powder coating is selected, consider the colour early in the process so lead times for specialty shades can be factored in.
Step 6: Delivery and Installation
Smaller items can be collected from our Molendinar workshop or delivered by our own vehicle. For larger pieces — especially those that require craneage or on-site welding — we coordinate logistics and site access with the builder or property owner.
Installation services are available for structural and architectural metalwork. We carry public liability insurance and provide a certificate of compliance for structural items where required.
Getting Started
If you have a custom metalwork idea — even if it is still rough — reach out. We enjoy solving unusual fabrication challenges and can often suggest approaches that simplify the build and reduce cost without compromising the design.