How We Work

Brassworks has been providing, installing, and servicing architectural hardware for thirty years. We are a family business with over seventy-five years of collective professional experience, and understand the construction industry and its unique requirements and demands very well. Our attention is focused primarily on high-end residential projects.

We have carved out a unique position in this trade as we not only simply provide product, but also and primarily take full responsibility for managing the entire hardware package, from initial design specification through installation (and subsequent service). Some of our many services include:

♦ The assignment of a dedicated project manager: Any whole-house project is managed by a single professional individual, who will directly communicate with architect, builder, designer, door fabricator or any other trades to ensure the accurate and complete transfer of information. This will ensure continuity of information as the job progresses, and efficient, diligent follow through for all requests and correspondence….we take great pride in our customer service.

♦ The execution of a “Working Agreement”: Upon award of contract, Brassworks will generate a Working Agreement contract with the homeowner or builder, for the purposes of clearly delineating and agreeing upon all aspects of our anticipated future services and associated fees and expenses. We believe in addressing all aspects of our involvement up front before project commencement, to establish a scope of work and to avoid any misunderstanding between the client and Brassworks; communication is vital to our successful relationship.

♦ The complete generation of door schedules and specifications: Upon receipt of any contract, Brassworks will acquire complete plans of the project and create our own door schedules and specifications. We insist on checking the accuracy and compatibility of all specified hardware, rather than merely supplying what the customer has requested. The proper layout of all hardware is confirmed with door elevations, styles, thickness, and hand….this is especially critical with the mortise hardware.

♦ The acquisition and assembly of working hardware displays for client review and approval.

♦ The processing, organization, and identification of all hardware per door: All parts and components received by Brassworks are first assembled and organized into sets, and then identified with appropriate door numbers avoiding any confusion in the field, ensuring efficient and accurate installation. We do not simply hand you boxes and boxes of unidentified product.

♦ Professional installation services: Brassworks offers installation of all our hardware products. Our installers are meticulous in their work, and highly skilled in the installation of full mortise locks and latches, as well as hanging and fitting doors. We are outfitted with complete tooling include powered door mortising machines, numerous routers, router templates and jigs, power planers, etc. Our lead master carpenter, Sal, has been with Brassworks for over thirty years. We guarantee our labor for one year; so long after the contractor is off the job, we are here to service any issues that may arise.

♦ A full on-site refinishing and custom fabrication department: Brassworks maintains a professional, full-time refinishing department that can patina any hardware item to match the job-specified finish. Any miscellaneous hardware from various suppliers can be refinished on-site without delay to match virtually any finish. We also offer custom fabrication of items such as special strike plates that may be required, with immediate turnaround. CAD drawings are generated for review and approval by client.

♦ Deep Inventory: Brassworks maintains an extensive inventory of miscellaneous hardware components such as spindles, strikes, special screws, cylinders, latches, locks, etc., to avoid any unnecessary delays during installation.

♦ Historical backup: All information regarding a particular project such as email correspondence, fax, written invoice, job plans, keying schedule, etc., is permanently recorded electronically and saved at Brassworks for future reference.

We have a long history of successfully participating in highly visible projects such as the complete renovation of all hardware and lighting at the RI State House, numerous Newport mansions, the Ledyard Connecticut casinos, several institutions such as Brown University and Boston University, Prominent Inns and Hotels, countless high-end private residences, and many others. I would be more than happy to supply you with any references.

We also have a very deep line of high end fireplace equipment including marble/limestone mantels, bronze screens and andirons, and gas fireplaces.