Choosing a Branded Home Goods Manufacturer: Ten Questions to Ask

By Bhavini Khullar | Founder, Byaas | Adjunct Professor, Montclair State University

Short answer: Ask any manufacturer ten questions: what the metal is, the minimum order, samples, timelines, quality control, finishes, packaging, design ownership, total cost and who you will talk to.

Choosing a manufacturer is one of the biggest decisions a new brand makes, and most people make it on price and a few photographs. These ten questions will tell you far more. I have answered each one as we would answer it at Byaas, so you can compare.

1. What is it made of, exactly?

Ask for the metal in writing: solid brass, stainless steel or iron, and whether anything is plated. At Byaas we work in brass, stainless steel and iron.

2. What is the minimum order?

Minimums vary widely between makers. Ours is $250.

3. Will you make a physical sample?

Metal is judged by the hand, so insist on one. A first custom sample takes us about 4 to 6 weeks. See prototypes and samples in custom metalwork.

4. How long does production take?

Ask for a realistic timeline and build in a buffer. Our production takes about 6 to 8 weeks once a sample is approved.

5. How do you control quality?

Ask what is checked, when and by whom. See what good inspection looks like.

6. Which finishes can you do, and how do you keep them consistent?

We offer polished, brushed, burnished and antique brass, chrome, matte black and matte white. Ask how tone is matched across batches. Our custom finishes guide explains the options.

7. How will the product be packed?

Brass scratches, so each piece should be individually wrapped, and retail-ready packaging should be planned early.

8. Who owns the design?

Designs you bring remain yours. Ownership of designs developed together should be agreed in writing before work begins.

9. What is the total cost, not just the unit price?

Add samples, packaging, freight, duties and any engraving. See minimum order quantities for how quantity changes cost.

10. Who will I be talking to, and who else do you make for?

A good partner answers clearly and can point to real work. We currently make custom branded pieces for a design brand with retail presence across the US and Canada.

Put it into practice

Write the answers down for each maker you consider. Our guide to briefing a brass manufacturer shows how to turn them into a brief, and how to launch a branded home goods line covers the whole journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important question to ask a manufacturer?

Whether you can see a physical sample, because it shows weight, finish and workmanship that photographs cannot.

Should I ask for references?

Yes. A confident maker can point to real work and, where appropriate, to brands they supply.

How many manufacturers should I compare?

Two or three is enough. Ask each the same ten questions and compare the answers side by side.

About the author

Bhavini Khullar is the founder and creative director of Byaas and an adjunct professor of Advertising Media Strategies at Montclair State University. She grew up in her family's metal workshop and has spent more than a decade studying audiences and how people decide what to buy. Byaas is where those two worlds meet.

Made mindfully, lasts forever

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