// 03  Set Construction

From plans, sketches,
or vibes.

Our crew builds to your script. Every quote starts with what's already on our shelves before anyone touches new lumber. Your invoice line lists the kilograms saved.

// How it goes

Four steps. No surprises.

01 / BRIEF

You describe it.

Script pages, mood boards, scribbles. We translate.

02 / GREEN QUOTE

We cost it green.

Reused first, restored second, new last. % saved on the invoice.

03 / BUILD

Crew on tools.

Site visits, photos, daily progress. You watch it rise.

04 / WRAP

Back to catalog.

Strike, intake, photo. Your build powers someone else's next.

// The Green Budget

A line item, not a slogan.

Every quote includes a target reuse percentage and a kg-diverted estimate. We hit the target or we eat the difference.

  • Default reuse target: 60% of materials
  • Sustainability report delivered with final invoice
  • Take-back commitment: we collect at strike
  • Provenance credit: your production listed on every reused piece

SAMPLE GREEN LINE

68% reused materials

0kg diverted

14 pieces returned to catalog post-wrap


"This production diverted 2,150 kg of material from landfill via DC's circular set program — equivalent to 5.8 tonnes CO₂e avoided."

// Capabilities

What our crew brings to your build.

CARPENTRY

Framing, cabinets, casework, period mouldings, custom millwork. Two journeymen on staff, three more on call.

SCENIC PAINT

Base coats, faux finishes (marble, wood, metal, brick), age & distress, environmental aging. Spray and brush.

METAL & WELDING

MIG & TIG, plasma cutting, structural steel for elevated platforms, ornamental ironwork, prop weapons fabrication.

ELECTRICAL

Practical lighting integration, ESA-licensed for high-voltage work, dimming, emergency cut-offs to code.

DRAFTING

From your sketches to fabrication-ready drawings (Vectorworks, AutoCAD). Site survey, shop drawings, construction docs.

PRACTICAL EFFECTS

Breakaway walls, water rigs, smoke / fog integration, mechanical gags. Coordinated with your stunt & FX teams.

SET DEC

Direct access to our 800-piece catalog plus the HPH props pool. Period-correct dressing, custom dec when needed.

GREEN BUILD

Source-tracking on every material. Take-back guarantee. Sustainability report with audit-grade kg + CO₂e numbers.

// Case study

"Hollowtown PD" — precinct interior

Series · 2024 · 6-week build · 3 standing sets in rotation

PRECINCT BULLPEN

// The brief

A working bullpen, captain's office, and interrogation room — all in 4,800 sq ft, all with proper sound iso for dialogue, all with practical fluorescents that wouldn't strobe on camera. Nine episodes of standing-set use, location moves between studios.

// What we did

  • Modular flats designed for 3 location moves without re-painting
  • Custom desk units with hidden cable runs for working monitors
  • Sourced 70% of dec from existing catalog (file cabinets, chairs, signage)
  • Practical fluorescent fixtures with dimmable ballasts
  • Soundproofed interrogation room (NC-30 from inside)

Build hours

880

Reused materials

71%

Diverted

3,820kg

Catalog return

42pcs

"They built our bullpen the way the script said it should look — and when we wrapped, they took it back without us spending another dollar on dump fees. That doesn't happen anywhere else in this city." — Production Designer, Hollowtown PD

// Recent builds

What our crew has built lately.

FEATURE — courtroom interior
SERIES — diner + parking lot
COMMERCIAL — kitchen vignette
PILOT — apartment block
SHORT — operating theatre
MUSIC VIDEO — neon corridor

// Photos go here when projects clear publicity.

// Brief us

Tell us what you're building.

A few details get you a green quote inside three business days.

// FAQ

Quoting questions, answered up front.

How long until I get a quote? +

Three business days for builds under $75k. Five days for larger or more complex briefs. We'll come back with a green-spec quote (target reuse %, kg-diverted estimate) and a build calendar.

What's a typical build budget? +

Most jobs land between $25k–$200k including labour and materials. Indie shorts can come in under $15k by leaning hard on the catalog. Series and features run higher when full standing sets are in scope. We'll quote based on what's actually needed, not what we can pad.

Do you require a deposit? +

Yes — 30% on signed quote, 40% mid-build, 30% on completion. For jobs over $100k we can structure milestone payments. Deposit refundable up to 14 days before build start.

Can I provide my own materials? +

Sure. We'll deduct from the materials line. We can't warranty third-party materials, and our reuse-target math doesn't credit them — but if your production has a sponsor or a stockpile, we work it into the build.

What if you miss the green-budget target? +

We eat the difference. If we quote 60% reuse and land at 50%, the materials line drops to reflect a 50%-reuse cost (lower number, since reused stock is cheaper). It's an honest commitment — pulled out of paper into the contract.

Do you build off-site? +

Yes — install at your location is standard. We build in our shop and truck the finished pieces, or build on your stage if logistics work better. Travel within the GTA is included; outside, we bill at cost.

Can WTF! members work on my build? +

Possibly — when WTF! members are scheduled on the same day, they may end up on supporting tasks (paint, prep, strike). They never replace skilled trades or licensed work. Their time is fully insured under DC, and you get the labour at no extra cost since they're earning credit, not wages.