Looking for a glass supplier for a commercial or domestic project? Here are 4 red flags to watch out for.
The world is run on supplies. Don't believe us? Just look at how supply chain disruptions affect our daily lives. Without the regular production and delivery of essential materials, life can quickly grind to a halt.
It's a sobering thought, but one that can lead to a positive conclusion. Suppliers are among the unsung heroes of the modern world.
Glass suppliers are no exception. Without them, everyone from homeowners to architects would be scrambling for glass (or blowing their own).
It's no exaggeration to say that no matter what you need glass for, your choice of supplier is an essential part of the process.
This means you should choose your supplier with care. The last thing you want is an inexperienced, under-equipped firm with inflated prices and bad customer service.
Yet far too often, customers settle for second best. It's easy to see why. Surely life is hard enough without having to compare endless glass suppliers?
Well, we take your point. But the success – and safety – of your project depends on choosing the right partner. Here are four signs that you might need to look elsewhere.
1. They don't have capacity
For your project, you need
x amount of glass. It doesn't matter whether
x
equals a single sheet or a truckload. If your supplier doesn't have the capacity, you should work with someone else.
The alternative is to face bottlenecks in your process. Any project manager will tell you how quickly a supply issue can turn into a logjam.
But it's not just whether the supplier can give you the
amount you need. It's also that not all suppliers produce the same products.
To take just one example, you might be looking for a sheet of
laminated glass with a coloured interlayer. This requires a number of interdependent processes. You want a supplier that can do them all without batting an eyelid or ruffling a forehead.
If your supplier can do some but not all of the processes, you're going to face delays. And delays can mean dissatisfied clients, frayed nerves and logistical headaches.
So before you pick a particular supplier, make sure they have all the capacities and competencies you need under one roof.
2. They can't or won't show you their accreditations
We're not intending to blow any minds when we tell you that glass needs to be of good quality. Cut corners and you're putting customers and bystanders at risk – not to mention your reputation.
It's not just that you want your glass installation to stay intact as far as humanly possible. It's also that we live in a world dominated by red tape and regulations. Fall foul of these and you could face a fine, as well as a knock to your reputation.
It's not your glass supplier's responsibility to know which regulations you need to follow. But they should be able to meet them.
This is why you should always check they have the relevant industry accreditations. If they're not on the website, ask. If they haven't got an answer for you, move on.
3. They're vague about their experience and expertise
It doesn't matter whether you're a commercial or domestic client: you want to be sure that your glass supplier knows its stuff. And we mean knows its stuff inside out, back to front and top to bottom.
This is because the question of safety hangs over all glass installations. Getting a job done by a newbie just isn't worth it. Experience and expertise go hand in hand and are the order of the day.
How do you know if a supplier has these attributes? If they do, they'll tell you. No business that's been around the block and has significant experience under its belt will shy away from telling you on its website and in all its communications with you.
So, if you ask a supplier about their experience and they start looking shifty, don't be shy about pressing the issue. The success of your project is at stake. And if it turns out they don't have what you're looking for, it's time to find another supplier.
4. They won't give you clarity about delivery dates
Glass installations are like comedy: it's all in the timing.
It doesn't matter whether you're installing a kitchen splashback, building a glass elevator for your chocolate factory or replacing the windows in a block of flats. The success or failure of your project depends on materials – and people – turning up on time.
Turnaround is essential. Your supplier needs to be able to tell you when delivery is due – no ifs, no buts.
This is one key advantage of working with a supplier that cuts, fires, treats and delivers its products under one roof. You're less likely to fall victim to unexpected delays or glitches in the supply chain.
Clarity about delivery dates can tell you a lot about a firm. It tells you they take their responsibilities seriously and are committed to communicating them.
Your project matters. Don't jeopardise it by settling for second best.
Conclusion
A bad worker blames their tools – sure. But a good worker needs good tools nonetheless. It only takes one delay or one faulty pane of glass to turn your project into a shambles.
That's why it's so important to find a glass supplier that can meet your requirements. It needs to have the capacity, competency and flexibility to give you the materials you need. It should also be accredited, experienced and staffed with good communicators.
At ToughGlaze, we pride ourselves on meeting these criteria. We do everything under one roof, from glass cutting to delivery. This gives our customers peace of mind at a competitive price.
So, if you're looking for a
glass supplier, don't hesitate to
get in touch for a quick quote. We'd love to help you get the materials you need, no matter what the job.
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