What to Consider When Approving a Fabrication Project
Do this before signing off on a custom build for experiential fabrication — especially if your in-house team is small.
Most marketing agencies and brand executives don’t have a dedicated production team or internal fabrication house – and that’s more than okay.
If you’re an executive or taking lead on a brand activation or other fabrication experience, it is completely possible to produce a high-quality fabrication without overextending your team or budget. But the success starts with clarity — specifically on timeline, cost, and the value your fabrication partner provides.
Before you approve any fabrication project, here are three things worth understanding first.
1. A Great Rendering Doesn’t Always Make A Great Build
It’s easy to be impressed by great renderings, extensive mood boards, and grand visual concepts. But if you don’t integrate a fabrication partner early in the process to give feedback on feasibility, then you could be facing last-minute compromises with budget spikes or an end product that hardly resembles the initial concepts.
A reputable fabricator will help you key in on details like weight, power access, installation conditions, material availability, and lead times for completion to determine what’s actually possible and how long it will take to get there.
Why it matters: Getting ahead of build constraints protects your timeline and prevents avoidable budget creep.
2. A Mismanaged Timleline Will Balloon Your Budget
Custom fabrication isn’t an off-the-shelf, 2-day-shipping solution. Materials need to be sourced, secured, cut, welded, painted, coated, built, transported, and installed with expert precision to reflect your initial vision. When timelines get tight – or worse, when the project request is delivered with a nearly improbable timeline (i.e. can you do a fully retrofitted sea container by next week??) – the overall cost will rise quickly to accommodate expedited production times, specialty labor, and logistic challenges.
Fast jobs CAN happen. Just be aware for your budget approval process that the deliverable timeline is going to impact your overall budget. For your best and most budget-friendly results, stay ahead of the game and start conversations with your fabricator early to keep timeline management efficient and effective.
Clear vision up front with realistic and flexible timelines often translates to real savings later with both budget and relationships.
Why it matters: The earlier you align on scope and schedule, the more control you have over cost and quality.
3. Skip the Vendors. Hire a Partner.
You didn’t become the leader you are without learning a few things. So we’re sure you know the difference between vendors and partners. And with nearly all high-end fabrication projects, you’ll want much more than just a payment-processing vendor on your team – you’ll want a we-got-your-back partner getting the job done for you.
If your team doesn’t have the scenic managers or structural fabricators in-house, then a good fabrication partner can fill that gap and alleviate problems you don’t want bottlenecking at your desk. The right partner will anticipate blind spots, ask smart questions, and handle everything from sourcing to installation without overloading your inbox or text messages. You’ll experience the right amount of communication – enough to keep you involved and informed, but not so much that you’re questioning why you hired them.
Look for a team that acts like an extension of your own — one willing to understand not just what to build, but why you’re building it.
Why it matters: The right partner will add strategic value, not just shop labor costs.
Final Thoughts
Custom fabrications create powerful, lasting brand moments. And without the right approach — or the right partner — the process can also introduce unnecessary risk and costs.
At Fuller Street, we’ve worked with brands, agencies, and executives like yourself to translate creative ideas on paper into impactful experiences in the real world — without overcomplicating the process.
If you’re ready to build with clarity, confidence, and support, we’d be glad to talk.
Why Choose Fuller Street?
- Expert Scenic Fabrication & Custom Builds: We integrate design with function, crafting visually stunning and technically sound broadcast environments.
- Collaborative Approach with Set Designers: We handle every aspect of the event, from initial concept to flawless execution, ensuring a seamless and successful experience.
- Broadcast-Ready Solutions: From LED lighting integration to adaptable seating and stage design, we ensure every studio element enhances video production quality.
