How to Negotiate a Good Glazing Contract

Many first time homeowners are not very familiar with negotiating contracts for different services like glazing services. As a result, they sign whatever document the contractor presents them without ensuring that all their interests will be met. This article discusses some clauses you should put into any glazing contracts you sign.

Service Conditions

Negotiate with your preferred glazier so that he or she gives you the longest service offer that you can get. This will reduce your long-term maintenance costs since the installer will take care of any issues that come up during the period covered by the service warranty. for instance, a service cover for five years means you will not incur any additional cost on your windows or doors in case a defect manifests. Do not just accept the service offer that the glazier puts in the draft contract he or she presents to you.

Milestone Payments

As you negotiate with the glazing company, request to release payment based on phases of the job completed instead of paying the entire sum at once. For instance, you can suggest that you pay half of the glazing cost when 60 percent of the work is completed then the balance should be paid once work is fully complete. Such an arrangement reduces the pressure on your finances and allows you to cater for other project expenses such as electrical installation in that new house.

Clarify Dispute Resolution Mechanisms

While it is normal to expect that everything will go according to plan, it is also wise to plan for a situation when something goes wrong. For instance, the glazier may delay to receive the shipment of materials from the glass manufacturer. This delay may affect the project completion schedule and place added labor costs on you for other contractors who were depending on the completion of window/door installation in order to do their work.

The clearest illustration of this scenario is when the electrician cannot install electrical fixtures like chandeliers because they will be exposed to the elements if windows are not in place. You may end up engaging the electrician for longer than you had planned. How do you absorb that added cost? Negotiate with the glazier so that there is a minimum acceptable delay beyond which he or she should agree to reimburse any expenses that you incur. This will protect you in case costs spiral due to events beyond your control.

Many glass merchants also have glazing personnel so talk to several before you sign a contract with the one who agrees to include clauses that cover the areas in the discussion above. Such a contract will give you peace of mind that your first engagement of glaziers will be a successful one.

To learn more, contact a company like B.C.I. Glass with any questions you have.