Not every job is a grand entrance gate. Sometimes, it’s a simple grip rail. But even the small jobs deserve to be done right.
A contractor was in a tight spot. They needed a grip rail fast. A remodel of a house and a Certificate of Occupancy, aka "CO," deadline was two weeks out. Their go-to fabricator was slammed. They didn’t have time to waste. I had reached out to them that week as I was calling around to see if they needed any custom metalwork. Turns out to my surprise...they did. Right place, right time. I showed up to the job site and saw the staircase and knew this was a slam-dunk.
A grip rail might not seem like much, but every job matters. It needs to meet code, fit the space, and be installed cleanly. No room for mistakes. A simple job done poorly sticks out just as much as a complex one done right. Clean welds, sharp lines, and a solid finish; those little things make all the difference.
More than the work itself, this was a reminder of how much showing up and being available matters. Deadlines don’t wait. When someone needs the work done, and they can't step in and get it done, that’s an opportunity. A small job today can turn into something bigger down the road.
This is all about balance now: big projects, small jobs, everything in between. I just wasn't handed a sketch with scribbled notes, a deadline and told "let me know if you have any questions." These jobs are are different. My terms, my bids, and most of all I get to see how the clients respond. Something I didn't get to see before.
This wasn’t the biggest job to roll through the shop, but it keeps work moving, helped a contractor hit their deadline, and built a connection for the future. Most importantly, the client was happy.
At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about: craftsmanship, reliability, and getting the job done. Whether it’s a grip rail or a massive installation, the mindset stays the same: do good work, and the rest will follow.
Get it done, Keep it dirty.
-Rory
