When Good Projects Go Bad – tips for glazing contractors

When Good Projects Go Bad – tips for glazing contractors

These glazing scope items can mean the difference between a profitable job and a costly mistake

By Anthony Callas April 30, 2012

A misunderstood or poorly documented glazing scope is one of the simplest ways a good project can go bad for contract glaziers. Any number of problems can arise if the entire glazing scope. Is not accurately communicated in a bid proposal or errors are not properly discovered in the scope review. When parties are unclear on scope, they enter the job with a gap between their expectations.  By carefully examining the glazing scope for the following issues. Glaziers can avoid costly problems, and submit the most accurate and thorough bid.

Openings do not correlate between floor plans and elevations

Glaziers should carefully crosscheck floor plans and elevation drawings to ensure the glazing openings and components coincide.

Design drawing omissions

Some design elements, such as soffits, returns and transitions, are commonly missing from elevation drawings when the drawings don’t cover every elevation. Look at every surface in the scope to ensure you don’t miss any elements.

Scope not labeled

Surfaces are frequently not labeled on scope drawings. And are instead depicted using colors or hatch patterns. However, these patterns are not always consistent: A dot pattern on the West elevation might depict plaster, while on another elevation the same dot pattern might depict another surface material.

If surfaces are not labeled.

Cross-reference scope documents completely to avoid missing any bid items.

Technical hardware

Doors typically have door closures, thresholds, and in some instances, technical hardware such as magnetic locks, card readers and electrified hinges.

Mock-up and testing

Clarify the mock-up and testing requirements if they are omitted in the scope. Ensure you know whether the project needs a performance mock-up in the lab or field.

Moisture barriers

Scopes often address moisture barriers, including provisions for items such as the line of sealant. Contract glaziers need to look for details about moisture barriers, as sometimes the glazier is responsible, and sometimes the responsibility falls on another trade.

Exhibit scopes in contracts

Every contract will have a variety of exhibit scopes—sometimes a dozen different exhibits. Make sure you know and master the scope exhibits, as these define what is in the glazing package, whether you’ll have final clean-up, protection of work, etc.

Contract terms

Make sure the contract terms are clearly laid out. To avoid confusion on items such as change orders.

Insurance requirements and payment terms.

General conditions

Clarify general contract terms, such as what you will need to provide on the jobsite: a foreman, administrative personnel, WiFi and other basic overhead items. The general contract terms should also specify physical jobsite characteristics, such as access restrictions, that could affect the type of equipment and access required for installation.

Additional provisions

Scopes might include additional provisions, such as a requirement to carry additional dollar allowances. Neglecting to include them could result in artificially low bids.

Schedule

Ensure the scope outlines a realistic schedule for your trade. Don’t make promises you know you can’t keep.

Supplier payment terms

Some glass and glazing material suppliers require specialized payment terms, such as 50 percent down before the project proceeds. Notify the general contractor of these terms and ensure that you bill for the specialized payments sufficiently.

The author is director of operations for Heinaman Contract Glazing.   Printed in eglass weekly.

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