What Is Quality Craftsmanship: How Stanton Millworks Defines Our No. 1 Promise
At Stanton Millworks, we are committed to delivering quality craftsmanship. But what exactly does that mean? Here, we break down our definition of quality craftsmanship and how we work to achieve it in the shop and on the job.
We hold our product to the highest industry standards
We stand behind the quality of our work — and so does the Architectural Woodwork Institute. Stanton Millworks has continuously achieved certification in AWI’s Quality Certification Program (QCP), the gold standard of quality in the woodworking industry. Everything we build follows the organization’s rigorous guidelines for premium grade architectural woodwork, which outline quality specifications for fabrication, finishing and installation of all our specialties, including custom millwork, casework, cabinetmaking, solid surfaces and historic preservation.
Adhering to these standards is not a priority for every woodworking shop, says Derek Grauduss, senior estimator at Stanton Millworks.
“The quality of the product that we’re putting out cannot be any higher,” Grauduss says. “Nobody is doing it any better than us. Most aren’t doing it nearly as well.”
We understand that quality goes beyond the final product
When it comes to quality craftsmanship, we believe our final products speak for themselves. But to achieve that level of superior workmanship, quality must be prioritized through every stage of the process.
At Stanton Millworks, quality begins with the estimating and bidding process. Our estimators ask the right questions and have a keen sense of any possible risks that need to be addressed up front.
For instance, during a massive renovation and fitout for the new Lindner Family Tennis Center, senior estimator Derek Grauduss knew the timeline wouldn’t allow for long lead times for materials. So he worked closely with the original design team to flag any materials that would take months to arrive and swapped them for equally superior products that would arrive within a couple of weeks. The client approved the new recommendations, which still achieved their initial vision, and was grateful for the foresight and strategic solutions.
“They could have taken those plans to somebody else,” says Justin Freeman, president of Stanton Millworks. “But they knew that when the process starts with quality, they’ll see it from beginning to end.”
This collaborative approach extends through engineering, fabrication and ultimately installation. We work to cultivate true partnerships with every stakeholder, contractor and skilled laborer on every project because we know that teamwork and open communication lead to creative solutions and the best possible product.
Our shop is equipped for success
One of the benefits of creating a culture of quality craftsmanship is it attracts top talent who stick around. Many of our craftspeople have established careers with Stanton Millworks; some have been with us for 30+ years. Their industry experience and expertise is invaluable, not just for creating quality products but for mentoring and building a top-tier team.
“Plans and drawings will only take you so far,” Freeman says. “You need skilled experts who build with precision and can adjust to unexpected issues and solve problems in real time.”
Storage space is also an important consideration. While some woodworking shops have limited square footage, ours has ample space for both fabrication and finishing as well as storing materials as needed. This flexibility eliminates additional logistics and planning that can complicate timelines and bloat budgets.
We create an outstanding customer service experience
At Stanton Millworks, we believe the quality of the customer service we deliver is just as important as the quality of our process and product.
“Consider what it’s like to fly first class versus coach,” Grauduss says. “We want our clients to have an experience like that. To have no stress, to feel completely taken care of, to trust that we are anticipating their every need. We hold their hand all the way through.”
To achieve this level of service, Stanton Millworks regularly communicates with our clients throughout the duration of the project to ensure they are informed and up to date on status and any changes. We frequently invite clients into our production shop so they can monitor progress first-hand and see the work we’re doing.
“They don’t have to take our word for it,” Grauduss explains. “They can see the quality of what we’re building for themselves and it eases their mind.”
We partner with the best specialists
As a specialty woodworking shop known for our high-end architectural woodworking capabilities, we sometimes partner with other specialists who deliver services outside of our areas of expertise, such as glass or stonework. When we do, we choose to work only with providers who prioritize quality as highly as we do and have the track record to back it up.
Thanks to our affiliation with Huseman Group, a group of construction companies backed by a 100+ year legacy of quality craftsmanship, we are able to leverage the knowledge and expertise of respected industry specialists such as Stewart Iron Works, SSRG, and Trade31, whose quality, service and safety values align with our own and who help us deliver unmatched craftsmanship from design through installation.
Stanton Millworks is a trusted woodworking shop that specializes in quality craftsmanship from design through installation. Backed by a 90+ year legacy of doing it right, our capabilities include custom architectural millwork, cabinetmaking, solid surface fabrication and installation, multi-run production pieces, and historic preservation. Our commitment to quality is evident in both our process and our products that are built to last.
To learn more about how we can help bring your vision to life, please contact us.