What we do
Our Services
At Tilt Shift, we provide end-to-end fabrication services spanning design, engineering, and installation. Whether you're envisioning a feature stair, a sculptural element, or a fully fitted interior, we bring the expertise and craftsmanship to make it real.
01
Conceptual Design & Consulting
Great projects start with great conversations. We work alongside architects, designers, and builders early in the process to think through constructability, materials, and budget — bringing design capability to the table alongside fabrication expertise. We're honest about what's feasible, enthusiastic about what's possible, and at our best when the problem hasn't been solved before.
What's included
Early-Stage Consultation — We meet with you, your architect, or your GC to understand the project vision, site constraints, budget, and timeline before a single drawing is made.
Concept Development — From rough sketches to refined concepts, we explore design directions that are both buildable and visually compelling.
Material & Finish Exploration — We advise on material selection early, helping you understand aesthetic and cost implications before designs are locked.
Constructability Review — We identify potential build challenges upfront so they get solved in design, not in the field.
Budget Guidance — Honest, real-time input on cost drivers so you can make informed decisions early.
02
Estimating
Our estimates are built the way we build everything else — carefully, completely, and without shortcuts. We approach every bid as if we've already won it. Every estimate is detailed — line items for each scope element with clear descriptions of materials, approach, and labor. Our estimates are reliable from budgeting through project award, and we submit very few change orders as a result.
What's included
Detailed Line-Item Estimates — Every scope element broken out individually with clear descriptions of materials, approach, and labor.
Alternatives & Value Engineering — If we see a smarter or more cost-effective path to the same result, we flag it proactively.
Submittal Drawing Preparation — We prepare and submit drawings for client and GC approval, managing the back-and-forth until submittals are signed off.
Schedule Development — A realistic project timeline communicated clearly at the outset, including lead times for outsourced processes.
Reliable Pricing Through Project Award — Our estimates hold from budgeting through project award.
03
Design & Engineering
Design and engineering are core to how we work — not services bolted on after the fact. We bring in-house capability to every project — from submittal drawings through fully resolved fabrication drawings down to the smallest parts and fasteners. Complex elements are where we thrive: compound curves, kinetic structures, automated mechanisms, and architecturally ambitious details.
What's included
Shop Drawing Production — Fully resolved fabrication drawings covering the complete assembly down to individual parts, fasteners, and connection details.
3D Modeling — Detailed 3D models that allow clients, architects, and GCs to visualize the finished piece before fabrication begins.
Structural & Mechanical Engineering Coordination — We bring deep experience designing complex elements and work with trusted engineering partners for structural calculations when projects require it.
Project Team Coordination — Direct collaboration with architects, structural engineers, and GCs to ensure our drawings integrate seamlessly.
Standalone Drafting Services — Design and engineering services offered independently for clients whose fabrication is handled elsewhere.
04
Fabrication
Everything is built by hand in our Bellingham shop by our core team. We work primarily in metal and wood and bring in glass, concrete, or other materials as projects call for it. Our craft lives at the intersection of digital fabrication techniques and fine detail work: we hold tight tolerances, take pride in our welds, and treat every piece as a direct reflection of the studio. Lead times are communicated clearly at the outset and honored throughout.
What's included
In-House Metal Fabrication — All metalwork performed by our core team in our Bellingham shop. No outsourcing the skilled work.
Wood & Mixed-Material Work — Custom woodwork and mixed-material fabrication handled in-house alongside metalwork.
Tight Tolerance Work — Precision fabrication for elements that need to fit perfectly — stairs, railings, door systems, and architectural details.
Complex & Kinetic Elements — Specialty capability for mechanically expressive, moving, or structurally unusual pieces.
Quality Control — Every piece is reviewed against drawings and specifications before it leaves the shop.
05
Finishing
Finishing isn't an afterthought at Tilt Shift — it's the last thing we do and one of the things we're proudest of. Surface finishing is where the character of a piece is defined. We work with raw and blackened steel, patinas, powder coat, brushed and polished finishes, oiled wood, and custom finishes developed specifically for a project.
What's included
Custom Patinas — Chemical and heat-applied finishes that give raw metals a warmth, depth, and surface that evolves beautifully over time.
Powder Coating — Durable, consistent color finishes in any RAL or custom color, coordinated through trusted local partners.
Brushed & Polished Metal — Mechanical finishes from satin brushed to mirror polish, applied with precision.
Oiled & Finished Wood — Custom wood finishing that enhances grain, protects the surface, and coordinates with metal elements.
Custom Finish Development — For projects with specific aesthetic requirements, we develop custom finish approaches tailored to the project.
Finish Samples — We provide physical samples for client and GC approval before applying any finish to fabricated work.
06
Install
The install is the moment everything comes together. We treat it with the same care and intention as every step that came before it. We coordinate directly with GCs and site teams to keep the process smooth and predictable. Our fabricators handle installation — the people who built it are the ones putting it in.
What's included
Site Coordination — Direct communication with GCs and site teams to schedule installation around the project sequence.
Professional Installation — Our fabricators handle installation, ensuring fit, alignment, and quality are exactly as designed.
Field Adjustments — We come prepared to make minor adjustments on-site without turning them into change orders.
Final Walkthrough — A thorough review with the client or GC before we close out, confirming every element is installed correctly.
Care & Maintenance Guidance — Clear instructions for maintaining finishes and hardware so the work looks as good in ten years as it does on install day.
Ready to start a project?
Whether you're an architect with a complex detail, a builder who needs a fabrication partner, or a homeowner with a vision worth realizing — we'd love to hear about your project.