Briefing a commercial glass company: 6 steps to success
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How can you maximise your chances of success when working with a commercial glass company? Join us as we run through 6 steps you can take.
If you've clicked on this article, you've probably got a commercial glass project in mind. Perhaps it's as simple as replacing a faulty shop front or shower door or as complex as a full office fit-out. Either way, you want to know that your dream can become reality.
In our experience, one thing stands in the way of seeing that dream come true. Pretty much every snag we've encountered on the road to project completion has stemmed from one simple but fundamental factor: poor communication.
After all, no commercial glass company worth its salt wants to let you down. Sure, mistakes can be made on either side – but ask any firm and they'll tell you: it's so much easier to give you what you want if they know
exactly what you want.
The alternative is, well, the sorts of things you read about in the news as large infrastructure projects lumber on: overspending, delays and bad blood.
At ToughGlaze, customer satisfaction is just as important as the quality of our products and the smoothness of our manufacturing processes.
That's why we've put together this guide to briefing a commercial glass company – one just like us, which wants to turn your vision into an elegant, gleaming reality.
1. Sharing your vision
Different projects require different types of glass. A balustrade, for instance, needs different materials from a roof light. Making plain what you want right from the start is the best way to start you and your glass manufacturer out on the right foot.
So whatever you do, don't skimp on details. Be clear about what you want. That way, you won't be disappointed when you walk into your premises and see the final installation.
2. Getting down to brass tacks
OK, so you've shared your vision – now it's time to share some juicy details.
First off, what are the measurements? "About a foot and a half" won't cut it. Your glass manufacturer needs to know exactly how long, wide and thick each pane of glass will be.
If you don't go to the effort of spelling these measurements out, you may as well do the job yourself as you're guaranteed to be lumbered with unusable materials.
As well as precise measurements, you also need to provide tolerance information. Tolerances are the minimum and maximum variations that a piece of glass can take while still being usable – or, to use Plain English, wiggle room.
Wiggle room is vital information for a commercial glass company embarking on a project. It means that your materials will be usable even if they need a bit of extra work.
Secondly, there's the question of presentation.
The commercial world is full of tales of napkin sketches that became iconic logos. What these stories miss out is the painstaking process of turning that casual pen sketch into a design that could be reproduced on a large scale.
It's the same with commercial glass projects. You might have sketched something in your notebook that makes sense to you. But your glass manufacturer wants clarity above all else.
Finally, there are holes, notches and cutouts.
Don't know what we're talking about? It's fair enough. On the face of it, these are minor details – but when it comes to the crunch, they can make a big difference.
If your sheets of glass need holes or notches, your partner needs to know. This is especially important when ordering toughened glass because it needs to be cut out
before heat treatment.
Then there are size limits and placements to be taken into account. Not sure whether a hole is in the right place or the right diameter? It's far better to ask your glass manufacturer before you submit your plan.
3. Money talk
It's not just your design's scope and measurements that need to be clear. You should also be upfront about your budget.
A good glass company isn't trying to fleece you. They want you to make informed, cost-effective decisions. This is something they can do only if you're open about your budget from the get-go.
4. Talking time-frames
Ever worked with somebody and felt like they expected you to read their mind? It's not uncommon in the business world. When working with a commercial supplier, you need to assume that they know nothing about your schedules, deadlines and other time commitments.
By now, you'll have noticed a common theme. Clear communication is key, whether it's about the holes in your glass panels or the dates in your diary. Be clear with your commercial partner about your project deadlines – only that way will they be able to fit your commission into their busy schedule.
The alternative is delay – and as we all know, delay means disruption and overspending.
5. Getting the glass to you
Delivery day is here. The excitement is palpable. But does your supplier know your packaging and delivery requirements?
A reputable supplier will, of course, know how to package your glass safely. But do they know where it's getting delivered? Will they definitely get it through the doors? Things that seem obvious to you need to be spelt out to maximise your chances of success.
6. Ask for help
If you're getting outside help, it usually means that you're not an expert yourself. In these situations, a bit of humility goes a long way. If you don't know something, ask. If your commercial partner makes a suggestion, listen.
By prioritising clear communication, you're multiplying the likelihood of a job well done – an outcome that's good for you, your clients and your commercial partner.
ToughGlaze is a leading
UK supplier of toughened glass, laminated glass and decorative glass solutions. Our friendly experts are here to help you nail your specifications and get the glass you need, when you need it. For a quick quote or informal chat,
get in touch.
