Pricing Guide for Bespoke Restoration & Fabrication
Where traditional Japanese kintsugi meets Appalachian industrial craft - transforming broken into beautiful, functional into extraordinary.
Our Philosophy
Industrial Kintsugi doesn't simply repair or fabricate—we practice the ancient art of finding beauty in brokenness, elevated through modern metallurgy and precision joinery. Every project, from delicate ceramic restoration to architectural steel fabrication to software refactorings, honors the Japanese principle that breakage and repair are part of an object's history, not something to disguise. Our pricing reflects not just materials and labor, but decades of kintsugi practice and systems, and a commitment to haute couture craftsmanship that creates heirloom pieces destined for Burning Man installations, architectural landmarks, and private collections.
Project Categories & Pricing
Traditional Kintsugi Restoration
Starting at $200 - $15,000+
Ceramic & Porcelain Pieces
Simple dishware repair (1-10 pieces): $200-$800
Bonsai planters & decorative vessels: $300-$1,200
Heirloom pieces with historical significance: $500-$2,500
Complex reconstruction (100+ pieces): $3,000-$15,000+
Pricing factors: Number of fracture lines, piece complexity, historical value, urushi vs. modern materials, timeline requirements.
Industrial Fabrication & Metalwork
Starting at $500 - $50,000+
Architectural Elements
Custom gates & railings: $1,500-$8,000
Structural steel installations: $5,000-$25,000+
Container house modifications: $10,000-$50,000
Art & Functional Pieces
Tall bicycles & kinetic sculptures: $1,200-$5,000
Steampunk contraptions: $800-$3,500
Burning Man installations: $2,500-$20,000+
Antique & Vintage Restoration
Machinery restoration: $500-$8,000
Automotive metalwork: $1,000-$12,000
Heritage tool restoration: $300-$2,000
Software Refactoring & Development
Starting at $5,000 - $75,000+
Just as we restore broken ceramics with gold, we breathe new life into broken or obsolete software systems.
Legacy System Modernization
Database migration & optimization: $5,000-$25,000
User interface redesign: $8,000-$35,000
Architecture refactoring: $10,000-$50,000
API development & integration: $3,000-$20,000
Custom Software Development
Fabrication process automation: $5,000-$30,000
Interactive installation control systems: $8,000-$40,000
Custom design & modeling tools: $10,000-$45,000
Data visualization & analysis platforms: $7,000-$35,000
3D Printing & Digital Fabrication
Custom tooling & jigs: $800-$8,000
Digital models: $1,200-$15,000
Integration with traditional craft processes: $2,000-$15,000
Leveraging our network of specialized fabricators and advanced 3D printing capabilities for projects beyond standard workshop scope
Pricing Methodology
The Four Pillars of Our Pricing
1. Scale & Complexity
Like traditional kintsugi, every crack tells a story. A simple bowl crack requires different attention than reconstructing a shattered heirloom from thousands of pieces. Similarly, welding a bicycle frame differs vastly from fabricating architectural steel.
2. Materials & Process
Traditional urushi and gold powder for authentic kintsugi
Food-grade epoxy alternatives for functional pieces
Premium metals: 316 stainless, aluminum, bronze, weathering steel, titanium, cast iron, gold, silver
Specialized consumables: argon gas, tungsten electrodes, filler rods
Control boards, lighting, electrical, A/V systems, solar, batteries
3. Artisan Expertise
10-20 years of kintsugi mastery
Advanced TIG welding, metallurgy, and materials science
Project management experience with decade-long restorations
Aesthetic vision bridging Japanese and Prairie/Industrial design
4. Time & Intention
True kintsugi cannot be rushed. Some projects require months of patient work, meditation on the piece's history, and careful planning of each repair to honor the object's journey.
How We Determine Costs: The Industrial Kintsugi Process
Like traditional kintsugi masters who must understand each crack's story before applying gold, we begin every project with deep listening. Our process honors both the technical complexity of modern fabrication and the meditative patience required for true transformation.
Discovery & Vision Alignment (1-2 weeks)
Included in all projects
The journey begins with conversation—not just about what needs repair or creation, but about the deeper story we're telling together. Whether you bring us a shattered heirloom ceramic, a rusted vintage machine, or broken legacy software, we spend time understanding not just the technical requirements but the emotional and functional significance.
For physical pieces, we assess condition through careful examination, sometimes employing advanced imaging techniques to understand internal structures invisible to the eye. For software projects, we conduct code archaeology—diving deep into existing systems to understand their original architecture and current failure points. This phase establishes trust, sets realistic expectations, and ensures we're aligned on the vision of transformation.
Ideation & Materials Planning (1-4 weeks)
$200-$1,500 depending on complexity
This is where technical expertise meets creative vision. Like sculptors creating maquettes, we develop detailed plans that bridge the gap between broken and beautiful, between concept and reality.
Physical Projects: We source materials that honor the piece's heritage while ensuring longevity—traditional urushi and gold powder for authentic kintsugi, food-grade alternatives for functional pieces, premium metals selected for their specific properties and aesthetic qualities. For complex fabrications, we may create prototypes using our network of 3D printing partners or traditional workshop methods.
Software Projects: We architect solutions that respect existing data and user workflows while modernizing underlying systems. This includes technology stack evaluation, database migration planning, and user experience design that honors the original software's purpose while expanding its capabilities.
Hybrid Projects: Some of our most innovative work combines physical and digital elements—embedding sensors in restored pieces, creating interactive installations, or developing custom control software for kinetic sculptures.
Location & Workshop Considerations
Our pricing reflects the reality of maintaining professional-grade capabilities across multiple disciplines. Our workshop houses precision TIG welding equipment, climate-controlled ceramic workspace, and high-performance computing for software development. Beyond our primary facility, we maintain relationships with specialized partners—foundries for bronze casting, advanced 3D printing facilities for complex geometries, and secure development environments for sensitive software projects.
Insurance and safety compliance for this diverse range of work requires significant investment—from handling precious metals and traditional materials to maintaining cybersecurity protocols for software consulting engagements.
Labor & Expertise Investment
The intersection of traditional craft and cutting-edge technology demands continuous learning and specialization. Our pricing reflects not just the hours spent on your specific project, but decades of accumulated expertise across materials science, metallurgy, software architecture, and the meditative patience required for true kintsugi practice.
Complex projects may require assembling specialized teams—master ceramicists for heritage restoration, software architects for legacy system modernization, or installation crews for large-scale public works. We coordinate these resources while maintaining our commitment to artistic excellence and philosophical integrity.
Prototype to Production Journey
Many Industrial Kintsugi projects benefit from iterative development. We might create small-scale prototypes to test material combinations, develop proof-of-concept software modules, or fabricate test joints to ensure structural integrity. This approach reduces risk and allows for refinement before committing to full-scale production.
For software projects, we employ agile methodologies that mirror the iterative nature of traditional craft—building, testing, gathering feedback, and refining until the solution achieves both technical excellence and user satisfaction.
Custom Equipment & Technology Procurement
Some projects require specialized tools or technology that extend beyond our standard capabilities. This might include custom jigs for repetitive fabrication work, specialized software licenses for advanced 3D modeling, or unique sensors for interactive installations. These costs are transparently incorporated into project pricing, with equipment often becoming part of our expanded capabilities for future work.
Documentation & Knowledge Transfer
Every Industrial Kintsugi project creates new knowledge—whether it's perfecting a new alloy combination, documenting a heritage restoration technique, or developing innovative software solutions. We invest significantly in documentation, photography, and process recording, both for our own learning and to provide clients with comprehensive records of their project's transformation journey.
Delivery & Installation
The completion of any Industrial Kintsugi project is ceremonial—the moment when transformation becomes reality. For physical pieces, this includes careful packaging, transportation coordination, and often specialized installation requiring everything from crane rentals to network infrastructure setup for smart installations.
Software deliveries include comprehensive testing, user training, and ongoing support transition. We ensure that whether we're handing over a restored ceramic masterpiece or a modernized software system, the recipient has everything needed for successful adoption and long-term satisfaction.
Project Process & Timeline
This comprehensive approach ensures that every Industrial Kintsugi project achieves not just functional success, but contributes to the larger story of transformation—where broken becomes beautiful, where obsolete becomes innovative, where challenges become opportunities for growth and renewal.
Studio Capabilities & Overhead
Studio Capabilities & Infrastructure
Multi-Disciplinary Workshop
Our facility spans traditional craft and cutting-edge technology:
Physical Fabrication: PrimeWeld 225 TIG welder, precision metalworking tools, climate-controlled ceramic workspace, traditional kintsugi materials and techniques
Digital Fabrication: Network partnerships with advanced 3D printing facilities, custom tooling fabrication, rapid prototyping capabilities
Software Development: High-performance computing environment, secure development infrastructure, comprehensive testing and deployment systems
Documentation & Analysis: Professional photography and videography equipment, advanced imaging systems for condition assessment
Network & Partnerships
Complex projects often require specialized capabilities beyond any single workshop. We maintain relationships with:
Bronze foundries and specialized metal casting facilities
Advanced manufacturing and 3D printing partners
Software architecture consultants and cybersecurity specialists
Installation crews and specialized transportation services
Materials suppliers for both traditional and cutting-edge applications
Insurance & Certifications
Professional liability insurance
Safe handling of precious metals and traditional materials
Environmental compliance for all processes
Investment Considerations
Why Our Pricing Reflects True Value
Longevity: Every piece we create or restore is built to last generations, not seasons.
Uniqueness: No two kintsugi repairs are identical—each tells its own story of resilience and beauty.
Craftsmanship: Hand-welded joints, carefully mixed urushi, thoughtfully planned repairs that enhance rather than hide history.
Artistic Vision: Pieces that transcend mere function to become conversation starters, heirlooms, and works of art.
Edition Considerations
For certain fabrication projects, we may offer limited editions to make unique designs more accessible while maintaining exclusivity.
Getting Started
Consultation Process
Initial Contact: Share photos and vision
Discovery Call: Discuss project scope and timeline
Proposal: Detailed quote with process explanation
Agreement: 50% deposit to begin work
Progress Updates: Regular communication throughout
Completion: Final 50% upon delivery/installation
Contact Information
Ready to transform broken into beautiful? Let's discuss how Industrial Kintsugi can bring your vision to life.
"The crack is where the light gets in, and where the gold shows through."
Industrial Kintsugi - Where tradition meets innovation, where broken becomes beautiful, where every repair tells a story of resilience and renewal.