--- title: "CUSTOM METALS INC — Staircases & Railings | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/staircases-and-railings/custom-metals-inc-pfvwus-pf~2114479156 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~2114479156.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "CUSTOM METALS INC" category: ["Staircases & Railings"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/53834a0c022b91fc_3306-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "4544 Dons Rd, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, United States" latitude: 43.0356 longitude: -89.4526 phone: "(608) 222-4699" website: http://www.custommetals.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 21 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 39 last_updated: 2026-08-10 --- # CUSTOM METALS INC Original Houzz profile: [CUSTOM METALS INC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/staircases-and-railings/custom-metals-inc-pfvwus-pf~2114479156) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Staircases & Railings - **Location:** Madison, WI - **Serves:** Madison, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Oregon, McFarland, Monona, Cross Plains, Shorewood Hills, Maple Bluff, all areas, Mc Farland - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (21 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2017–2019), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Family owned - Award winning - Offers Custom Work Custom Metals began over 30 years ago with Don Schmidt. With projects under our belt such as restoration of the Wisconsin State Capitol, we’ve continued to grow in both manpower and expertise since day one. Tony Cole, current owner, has been in the metalwork industry for many years, solely with Custom Metals, Inc. since 1999. He purchased the company from his father-in-law, Don, in 2008. Custom Metals, Inc. specializes in architectural and ornamental metalwork of all types. Our versatile staff will advise, design, draft, fabricate, finish, and install your unique projects. We’re experienced craftsmen working with Steel, Stainless Steel, Brass, Bronze, Copper, Pewter, Aluminum and Zinc. Finishes include high polish, satin grain, paint, patina, wax, lacquer, powder-coat and more. We enjoy working with talented staff many of whom have been here for over a decade, and are experts in their positions. To us, metalwork is art, and art is our livelihood and passion. ### Services Provided - Railing Installation - Stair Installation - Staircase Design - Baluster Installation - Railing Repair - Glass Railings - Stair Repair - Custom Metal Fabrication ### Areas Served - Madison - Sun Prairie - Fitchburg - Middleton - Verona - Oregon - McFarland - Monona - Cross Plains - Shorewood Hills - Maple Bluff - all areas - Mc Farland ### Typical Job Cost $1,000 - 300,000 Our price range is broad; we do small residential projects and we do large commercial projects. Every job is custom, so we have no generic price estimates to post. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | CUSTOM METALS INC | | Address | 4544 Dons Rd, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, United States | | Phone | (608) 222-4699 | | Website | http://www.custommetals.com | | Followers on Houzz | 39 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/CustomMetalsInc?fref=ts - Blog — https://www.pinterest.com/custommetalsmad/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [CUSTOM METALS INC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/staircases-and-railings/custom-metals-inc-pfvwus-pf~2114479156) - **Website:** http://www.custommetals.com - **Phone:** (608) 222-4699 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Nine NOMMA Top Job awards between 2003 and 2016, and one Mitch Heitler award for Excellence - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2017–2019), for Service. **Affiliations** - [National Association of Home Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-association-of-home-builders-pfvwus-pf~562065019) - [Madison Area Builders Association](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/madison-area-builders-association-pfvwus-pf~1007581837) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 21 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 40.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Karmen R, Jan. 2022** > From the initial design session to completion (and a follow-up visit), this was a great experience. The quality of their workmanship is unmatched and everyone in the organization appears focused on quality. I could not be happier with my handrail! **★★★★★ — Debra Dieter, Jan. 2019** > The railings are beautiful. I have a multi-level home and have 10 different places that needed railings or handrails updated or added. We have some tricky spots that were solved perfectly. Everything was accurately measuered and fit exactly as planned. The workmanship is outstanding as are the people who work at Custom Metals. We are thrilled with the outcome. SInce my husband is working on the woodwork, not every place is ready to show off, thus only two photos. **Comment from CUSTOM METALS INC:** > Thank you so much for the review. Our team enjoyed working with you and Ward. Your home is gorgeous and the railings are really the finishing touch, the jewels in you home! **★★★★ — James Matson, April 2018** > We had a very good experience with Custom Metals, Inc. They provided an excellent design that met our needs, The price was quite fair, and we are happy with the installed product. Service and installation were prompt, friendly and professional. We would recommend Custom Metals to our friends. **Comment from CUSTOM METALS INC:** > Thank you Jim! We enjoyed working with you. I really like the railing design you ended up choosing. I am sure it suits your home perfectly. **★★★★★ — Janet Murphy, Nov. 2017** > Though we were a small job, Custom Metals was wonderful to work with. They contributed a lot to our original design, and were very patient with our design changes and installation questions. Arboretum Cohousing is very pleased with the result. **★★★★★ — Hannah Tubbs, April 2017** > Custom Metals did a excellent job creating a custom metal frame for a large format painting. It was exactly what I needed when I couldn't find anything else to work. **Comment from CUSTOM METALS INC:** > It was wonderful working with you Hannah! Thank you for the feedback on your project, much appreciated. **★★★★★ — Tim Radelet, March 2017** > Custom Metals has consistently done excellent work for me through the years. They fabricated special parts for my sailboat, and each time it was perfect work. The price is certainly right as well. I highly recommend Custom Metals to all. Tony and Kristen Cole, the owners, are simply fine people. **Comment from CUSTOM METALS INC:** > Thank you Tim! We always enjoy seeing you and really appreciate your kind words. **★★★★★ — Carol Ferris Interiors, March 2017** > First time working with Custom Metals and they really came through for me on some custom curtain rods for bay windows. Tony and Kristen were a pleasure to work with even when the job got more complicated, it was not a problem for Tony. Everything fit perfectly and looked great. I truly appreciate their great work. **Comment from CUSTOM METALS INC:** > Thank you Carol, we enjoyed working with you, your work is amazing! So glad we were able to make the custom curtain rods needed for your project. Glad to meet you and I hope we work together again! **★★★★★ — mhvacanderson, May 2016** > We have used Tony and his crew through out the last five years. They are very easy to work with, courteous, fast, and reliable. When we are on a deadline, they have always stepped up to the task. > > We use them often for welding. Our special projects require a professional, often working with galvanized metals, which can be dangerous to work with, with-out the right equipment. They do a great job. **★★★★★ — bdbcpa2, May 2016** > We hired Tony & Custom Metals to build a new interior stairway railing and a matching metal base to hold up our table height table in our kitchen. The design was original, reasonable priced with good lead times. Custom Metals coordinated with other contractors to install their own work. This has made a great statement piece to our home right as you enter. They did a great job from start to finish. > > Bruce & Kathy Berndt (Insights Interiors) > Fitchburg, Wisconsin **★★★★★ — tkuerschner, May 2016** > My wife and I were building a new custom home and had some very unique ideas as to what we wanted to accomplish. Many of the ideas came from previous homes that we owed and visited in the southwest. To our builder these ideas were somewhat foreign, but he was open minded and we unlisted the services of Tony and Kristen Cole of Custom Metals Inc.. There was no custom metal job too large or too small for them to help us with. The more they did for us the more ideas we got. The more they planned, designed and seamlessly created for us. They are great to work with, efficient and completed our numerous projects in a timely manner and reasonably priced. They worked great with all of our other subcontractors when coordination was require. We started with a custom metal staircase and stainless steel railing. We then had stainless steel countertops fabricated for outdoor grill area and laundry, more stainless steel railing on our deck, small stainless steel accents around the grill for structural support and esthetics, custom 16' bar rail, custom outdoor steel planters (2'x2'x8') and steel gate. Tony and staff are professional and take pride in their work. I hope you get the idea about how impressed we were with all that thy added to our project. We recommend them most highly. **Comment from CUSTOM METALS INC:** > Thank you for the kind review. I never made it to your home to see the projects and have always wished to see the unique metalwork done. Perhaps in the future you may need something more and I will be sure to be included on those headed your way! I always enjoyed talking on the phone and suggesting more ideas to your creative wife who shares a sense of design similar to mine. I hope you will enjoy your custom metalwork additions for years to come! > > Sincerely, > > Kristen Cole **★★★★★ — Lynne Krainer, May 2016** > I now have a beautiful black wrought iron railing along my 7 step walk way. Custom Metals measured, asked for details of the design, set a date to install after the stone work was done. It is graceful and secure and strong. A very nice job was done. Beautiful. **★★★★★ — gbpwin, May 2016** > Custom Metals is metal art at its finest. Truly creative, one of a kind metal art in all shapes and sizes, there is nothing they can not do with metal. I brought them a simple drawing and they created a remarkable sculpture that is the focal point in my kitchen. A they also created an art deco counter top leg, a bar foot railing and a hand rail for my basement steps. I intend to hire them for several other projects around my home. > Tony and Kristen are very imaginative and their staff of artisans are amazing. I am in awe of all the work they have done in this community. If you want outstanding metal art, perfectly completed projects at more than reasonable prices, Custom Metals is the right choice for you. ## Selected projects - [Pewter and Zinc Bar tops / Countertops](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pewter-and-zinc-bar-tops-countertops-pj-vj~1787179) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: A selection of the Zinc and Pewter bars and countertops we've made. - [Metal Accents and Railings](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/metal-accents-and-railings-pj-vj~836856) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [Wood & Metal Luxury Homes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wood-and-metal-luxury-homes-pj-vj~871399) - Location: Madison, WI - Photos: 18 - Description: On the exterior of this home, Custom Metals crafted the metal trim and brackets on the roof, the sun-shade, and the railings. On the interior, Custom Metals did the fireplace surrounds and railings. - [Elaborate Custom Railings](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/elaborate-custom-railings-pj-vj~900552) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [Stainless Steel Staircase with Glass](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stainless-steel-staircase-with-glass-pj-vj~320495) - Location: Milwaukee, WI - Photos: 2 - [Modern railings in country setting](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-railings-in-country-setting-pj-vj~2145196) - Location: Madison, WI - Photos: 7 - [Wrought Bronze](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wrought-bronze-pj-vj~2393241) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Driveway Gates](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/driveway-gates-pj-vj~2392718) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Signs](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/signs-pj-vj~2392681) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: Metal signs we've made, for private property, public parks, and street numbers. - [Round Pergola and Twig Railings](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/round-pergola-and-twig-railings-pj-vj~2392633) - Location: Madison, WI - Photos: 3 - Description: Exterior railings done with twig-textured rods of varying thicknesses. Also, a contemporary curved pergola. - [Bronze and Copper Light Restoration, Madison WI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bronze-and-copper-light-restoration-madison-wi-pj-vj~2392597) - Location: Madison, WI - Photos: 5 - [Fireplace Screens and Surrounds](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fireplace-screens-and-surrounds-pj-vj~2392543) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Metal Furniture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/metal-furniture-pj-vj~2392534) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: Though these are mostly tables, more photos will be added. - [Recreation of Louis Sullivan light fixtures](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/recreation-of-louis-sullivan-light-fixtures-pj-vj~2392517) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [Interior Railings](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/interior-railings-pj-vj~2949954) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - [Front Entry Railings](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/front-entry-railings-pj-vj~7439090) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 26 - [Monostringers and Floating Staircases](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/monostringers-and-floating-staircases-pj-vj~7438714) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - [Stainless Steel and Copper countertop](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stainless-steel-and-copper-countertop-pj-vj~7175564) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [Metal wall panels](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/metal-wall-panels-pj-vj~7175576) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Range Hood](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/range-hood-pj-vj~7175570) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 [See all 21 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/staircases-and-railings/custom-metals-inc-pfvwus-pf~2114479156) ## Ideabooks - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/153315703/list/wish-list) — 2 ideas - [DRK 155 Showroom](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/104901080/list/drk-155-showroom) — 1 idea - [Our Featured Articles](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/81519015/list/our-featured-articles) — 4 ideas - [Metal Art](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44222056/list/metal-art) — 5 ideas [See all 4 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/metals19) ## Community Q&A **Q: Where did you purchase the railings?** *(in Photo Questions)* We are custom home builders in Pennsylvania and our customer has shown us your beautiful home as an example. She would like railings like these. Were they fabricated locally or could I purchase them somewhere? Thank you for any information. Kim Minton Interior Designer William R. Minton and Sons wrmintonandsons.com A: Not sure who made the railings in the picture, but it is something our company can make! www.custommetals.com you can contact us from our website. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-10.*