FAQ
Frequently asked
questions
Short answers to the questions we hear most. Each links to the page that covers the topic in full.
What does The Farm Mechanic make?
Modular outdoor environments in solid wood for hospitality properties: pergolas, gazebos, pavillions, outdoor studios/cabins, grill gazebos, outdoor bars and kitchens, umbrellas, tables, seating, planters, lighting and amenities such as storage, towel racks and coolers. Pieces are designed to work together as one space.
Who do you work with?
Boutique hotels and resorts, golf, country and yacht clubs, wineries and breweries, restaurants, arboretums and public gardens, glamping properties, national and state park concessioners, and the designers and architects who specify them.
Where are you based, and where do you install?
Everything is designed and built in New Jersey. We deliver and install across the continental U.S.
Do you take on custom projects?
Yes. Custom and volume projects are welcome.
More: Trade & Hospitality
How do I start a project?
Send us a note through the Trade & Hospitality page with your property type, the space and your timeline. We start with a conversation — photos and rough dimensions are usually enough to begin.
How long does a project take?
About four months from signed proposal, with exact timing confirmed at proposal. Larger or custom projects may take longer.
How long does installation take?
Most structures go up in a single day. Installation can happen any time of year.
How much does it cost?
Every project is priced individually based on size, configuration and site conditions. Delivery and installation are quoted with the proposal.
What are your payment terms?
Payment terms are set at proposal.
How do your structures stay in place without anchors?
They are gravity-stabilized: their own weight and the geometry of the joinery hold them in place. They rest on grade, with nothing dug, poured, or driven into the ground.
More: Engineering
What are the wind and snow ratings?
Ratings depend on the structure and its covering, and each product page lists its own. Most roofed structures are rated for continuous winds of 60–75 mph with gusts up to 115 mph, and for snow load designed to the location, from 50 up to 300 lbs per sq ft. Fabric-covered and open structures, including pergolas, are rated for continuous winds of 60 mph with gusts up to 115 mph.
More: Engineering
Will it damage our lawn, paving, or historic grounds?
No. Structures rest on the existing surface and nothing is dug or driven in. When a structure is moved or removed, the ground is left as it was.
More: Engineering
What wood do you use?
Solid wood, selected for each site's climate and use. Species are specified at proposal. We use no veneers or composites.
Is there any metal?
No metal fasteners. The joinery holds by geometry alone. Some pieces have galvanized steel roofs or canopies.
Can we move or reconfigure it later?
Yes. Every environment assembles and comes apart without tools, so it can be moved, rearranged, or added to as your needs change.
How does it compare to a tent?
A tent adds cover. A TFM structure is designed for the space: shade, seating, bars and surfaces composed together in solid wood, so it looks and works like part of the property. It stays up all year, or comes down without tools when you choose.
Do we need a permit?
Requirements vary by property and jurisdiction, and your reviewer makes the call. Our structures are built to make review easy: they rest on grade and come apart without a trace. We'll work with your team to provide what your reviewer needs.
More: Review & Approvals
Can you provide drawings for a review or approval process?
Yes. When a project needs drawings or specifications for review, we prepare them as a separate service.
More: Review & Approvals
What is the warranty?
The Farm Mechanic warrants the structural integrity and joinery of every structure against defects in workmanship for five years from the date of installation, under normal use. Warranty service includes materials and labor.
More: Warranty & Care
What maintenance does it need?
Reseal every three years. Your team can do it, or we can as a service. With regular care, structures last 10 to 20 years.
More: Warranty & Care
Will the wood change over time?
Yes. Solid wood weathers naturally and may gray or show fine surface checks. Neither affects structural performance.
More: Warranty & Care
Can structures stay up all year?
Yes. They can also be taken down for the off-season, without tools, by your own team or by us as a service and set up again in spring.
Have a question we didn't cover?
Ask us directly.
Tell us about the property and what you're planning. We'll take it from there.
Trade Inquiry
For architects, designers, and specifiers exploring The Farm Mechanic for a client or property project. Tell us a bit about the scope and we'll follow up directly.