Frequently Asked Questions

Collaboration &
Services

  • As a design-led product studio and production partner, we use a transparent direct-to-factory model: you see original factory quotes, place POs directly, and get owner-level guidance from concept to shipment—fewer surprises, better quality, lower total cost.

  • 3 ways to work with us:
    • Design-to-Production (P2D): design → engineering → factory sourcing → production.
    • Factory Sourcing & Production Support (S&P): we match the right manufacturer and oversee build/QC.
    • Design-Only: concepts, CAD, CMF, specs, and documentation.

  • Discovery & feasibility → short-list manufacturers → samples/tooling → PP sample → production/QC → shipment. Clear milestones, shared files, and regular check-ins keep everyone aligned.

  • Yes. From day 1 we share factory contacts for transparent tripartite communication. You place POs directly; we stay engaged on technical support, timelines, and QC.

  • We primarily support outdoor furniture and accessories (lighting, textiles, rugs), furniture components, and home furnishings. We also assess adjacent categories that fit our manufacturing network—just ask.

  • Yes. We audit status, risks, and costs, then stabilize the brief and schedule before resuming—protecting momentum without sacrificing quality.

Pricing &
Terms

  • A small kickoff fee starts the project and is credited against future invoices. We only charge you—never the factories. You receive original factory quotes and pay the factory directly.

  • You do. Upon full payment, project-specific deliverables (CAD, drawings, renders, specs) are assigned to you. HOVVST retains pre-existing methods/know-how and the right to discreetly showcase the work unless restricted by NDA. Tooling ownership is specified in the PO; as a rule, tooling you fund belongs to you and is stored at the manufacturer.

  • Our default is direct payment from you to the factory for transparency and to avoid extra fees. If needed, we can act as a pass-through payment agent (processing fee applies). Note this may trigger Taiwan tax/compliance steps (e.g., business tax/VAT, FX reporting, possible withholding) and can extend timelines. We’ll align with your finance team and recommend the most efficient route.

  • They vary by material, process, and factory load. After scoping, we provide target MOQs and a dated plan: samples → tooling → PP sample → mass production → shipment.

  • Yes. We work under mutual NDAs, share files on a need-to-know basis, and require factories to follow your confidentiality/IP requirements.

Manufacturing &
Quality

  • Primarily China and Taiwan, with other regions considered if the brief, capability, or cost structure calls for it.

  • We start with our trusted network of manufacturers. For each project, we score capability fit, relevant references, quality systems, compliance, capacity, and cost, then confirm with trial samples before awarding production. If a better fit sits outside our network, we’ll research and qualify new partners.

  • 3 gates: first-article approval, in-process checks, and pre-shipment inspection. We log issues, drive corrective actions, and apply client-specific AQLs when needed.

  • We support reorders, cost-down opportunities, and continuous improvements (production efficiency, packaging, minor design tweaks)—keeping quality steady and total cost competitive.