FAQ's
1. Can I use my own design?
Of course! Bring us your idea or design concept and we can make it for you. Or we can work together to design your custom wrought iron product (see below).
2. What if I do not have a design in mind?
We offer design services on an hourly rate. Design includes preparation of shop drawings and specifications for bidding, and we also recommend you consult with a local architect who can help coordinate our work with other trades companies who may be involved.
3. Do you have any design or production restrictions?
Not that we’ve found so far! With 20+ years of experience, MMT can fabricate the most intricate designs. If you can imagine it, we can make it for you!
4. How do I request a price quotation from you?
Use the enquiry form on the Contact Us page or call us at +61 3 9335 1376.
5. What information do you need to estimate my project?
As with any form of custom work, the more information you can offer the more accurate and timely our response will be. We will gladly set an appointment and consult with you free of charge about your project.
Please be prepared to provide the following information (or as much as possible) to us via mail, email, or in person:
- Contact information
- Your architects or landscape architect’s plans and specifications
- Any site measurements and photos if applicable
- Jobsite address
- Time frame for completion
- Any other sketches, designs, photos, or magazine clippings which may help us understand your vision
6. Is there a charge for estimating?
No. We provide an obligation-free quote and sketch of your design to show you what the finished product will look like. However, we will not give out, fax or e-mail the design until a contract is signed. This is for our mutual protection. It keeps your design exclusive to you and stops others from stealing/copying our designs.
7. Does MMT offer “ballpark” pricing?
No. Ballpark prices are almost always inaccurate and can be misleading. We prefer to provide an accurate price quotation.
8. Do you offer discounts to designers, architects, builders, or other tradesperson?
No. We offer our best price for each proposal based on the information we have received. However, we do appreciate the value of professional referrals and we may offer a referral fee in certain circumstances.
9. How can I keep my project within budget?
Once we know what your project budget is, we can design and/or value engineer your existing design to stay within your budget. If we provide you with a fixed price proposal for your work, we will hold that price -- unless the scope of work changes.
10. Are there any permits required for my project?
Not specifically for our work, no. However, some projects are subject to building codes. If so, we have the knowledge to ensure that all code requirements are met.
11. What are your products made of?
Our products are produced from domestic galvanized steel. Our iron products are ideal for security and containment settings in a wide variety of terrain and architectural applications. The material we use is highly customizable to fit your needs.
12. Why would I want galvanized metal vs. non-galvanized metal?
Galvanized metal provides a product that is covered in layers of zinc to prevent rust from attacking the metal. For long-lasting outdoor products, galvanized steel is an essential fabrication component. Without galvanization, the metal will rust quickly and not provide a weather-resistant, durable finish.
13. What is the difference between wrought iron and steel?
The terms iron and steel are often used interchangeably. “Wrought Iron” usually refers to the process of iron or steel being “wrought” by hand or machine and implies a degree of decoration is involved. A “wrought iron fence” is the same thing as a “decorative steel fence.”
However, “wrought iron” is also a very specific type of iron which was the predominant metal used for ornamental and structural work prior to the 1920s. When modern smelting processes and higher grades of steel became available, this antique form of “wrought iron” was discontinued in favor of the new alloys.
“Real” (old, antique) wrought iron is no longer made except in specialty mills. Today, all ornamental metal shops use A36 Carbon Steel in their fabrication and forging operations where ironwork is required.
14. Why does custom ornamental metalwork cost so much?
The single greatest cost of our products is labour. The more labour-intensive the work, the more costly it is to complete. The word “custom” means one-at-a-time, special for you. That requires skilled craftsmanship.
When you work with MMT Wrought Iron you are getting the value of our years of experience, quality materials, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Note that MMT offers a “turnkey” price. We do not bid low then surprise the customer with add-on costs at the end of the job.
15. What kind of finish will my product have?
Typically we do a high quality powder coat finish. Powder coat is very durable and comes in a wide variety of colors and textures.
16. What is the difference between powder coating and painting?
Powder coating is a fine-ground polyester powder applied to galvanized metal utilizing sophisticated electronic equipment and heated to a high temperature. A continuous coat forms a seal around the metal that does not allow corrosive materials to reach the metal. It is much stronger than paint. Paint will eventually fade and chip, thus exposing the metal to the elements.
We pride ourselves on providing locally made products for our customers. We use all domestic steel and produce the finished product at our shop in Factory 47 Catalina Drive, Victoria Melbourne, Australia, Melbourne 3043.
17. What is your normal lead time?
We can turn most projects around in 4-10 weeks after client approval. However, actual jobs may vary, depending on the size and complexity of the project and the volume of work in our queue.
18. What is the advantage to using in-house crews instead of subcontractors?
Our in-house crews are trained to MMT standards of design, fabrication and installation. Using our own crews allows us to maintain a high level of quality control and customer service.
19. Do you have any D.I.Y. products available?
No. All of our wrought iron products are custom made.
