How Need It Made Works
From posting your idea to confirming delivery, in seven steps.
- 1
Create Your Project
The makers need to understand what you want, so the more information you can give, the better. A detailed description is important, and images can be very helpful.
It doesn't matter if you can't create CAD models or aren't a trained engineer. Upload whatever you can in the best format you can. A paper sketch is great for starting the conversation, and is even better with dimensions. Photos of similar products or looks can help too.
- 2
Makers Bid On Your Project
Once you upload your project, relevant makers are alerted to it. Makers can also find your project through the browse and search functions.
They review the information you've provided, and may ask questions through the private chat feature to make sure they know clearly what you want before submitting a bid.
- 3
Pick Your Winner
After you've received makers' bids, you can review their profiles and choose who is best for you.
- 4
Customer Funds Held By Need It Made
Once you accept a maker's bid, you pay the accepted bid amount into Need It Made's payment system. The maker can see that the money is safely stored and will be released on project completion.
- 5
Maker Confidently Starts Work
The chosen maker now starts on your project. This should be a time of increased conversation through the chat feature to finesse details and understanding, so keep an eye on the chat and make sure questions are answered quickly.
There is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to a customer's project. Ask, ask, and ask again to make sure what is being made is correct.
- 6
Your Completed Project Is Delivered
Once the maker has finished your project, they ship it to you using a tracked delivery process.
The maker enters the tracking details into the chat so you can track the item.
- 7
Customer Is Happy, Money Is Released
Once you've received your completed project and are satisfied, you mark the project as complete. This notifies Need It Made to release the funds to the maker.
The delivery date given by the delivery service sets the 48-hour window in which you can raise an issue through Need It Made. If no issue is raised within 48 hours, the project auto-completes and funds are released to the maker.
How you’re protected
- Secure card payments. Payments are handled by Stripe, a global payment provider. We never see or store your card details.
- Your payment is held until the work's done. We hold your payment and only release it once you’ve received your item and confirmed it’s right, or 48 hours after delivery if you don’t respond.
- Judged against what was agreed. You and your maker agree the exact spec up front. If the finished item doesn’t match it, you can raise an issue and we’ll resolve it under our Refund Policy.