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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Services: I produce custom built model railroads.  In addition, I do layout design.  Each is available as a stand alone service.

Scales: I work in all popular scales, Z through indoor G.  I don't do three rail or garden railroads.

Levels of finish:  I can build to any level of completion a customer wants.  Common options are: mechanically complete layouts with no scenery or structures, partially complete layouts with no structures, and finally, fully complete layouts with scenery and structures.

Cost:  Cost varies with the size of the project, complexity, and level of finish.  Regardless, custom built layouts require a significant  financial commitment because of the labor hours involved. Costs generally start in the $10,000 to $15,000 range for something small and basic and can run well into six figures for larger, more elaborate, projects.    Within the ranges above, I can usually custom tailor a project scope to meet a person's budget.

Payments:  Payments for layout construction projects are similar to that of a home builder.  The project starts with a signed contract and initial down payment of 20% to 35%.  After that, progress payments are made at previously agreed to milestones as construction progresses.

Design Cost:  Designs for an average half basement or spare bedroom generally are in the $1,200 to $1,500 range and must be pre-paid before work starts.   I do 'design only' work meaning that you do not have to be a construction customer in order for me to prepare a design for you.

Delivery:  Projects are transported to the customer location using specialty moving companies that cater to the museum market.  I meet the mover at your location and set the layout up.  Smaller projects are picked up by the customer at my shop in Maryland.

Construction Time:  This varies with the size of the project.   A typical range would be six weeks for a small un-sceniced layout to about five months for a fully sceniced large bedroom layout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Shelf Layouts Company, Inc.     301-404-8164              Email Contact