Know When to Say: No

Know When to Say: No

When to Say Yes and When to Say No

When reviewing commercial railing projects at the project bidding stage one of the following scenarios is likely present:

Scenario #1

Your product brand name or company name is specified as an approved product

We all love it when we get a good solid opportunity to bid the project with our product line, – that has been pre approved for usage on the project. This we say YES to bidding all day long.

Scenario #2

A competitor’s product line is specified but “Alternative “product bids will be accepted. After review of the plans and specs, you present your product offering as an equivalent product offering. Another opportunity to say YES we will provide a bid.

Scenario #3

Both the project blue prints and specs lack adequate information to provide an accurate bid.

A “ RFI”(Request for information) sent to the Architect or the GC ( General Contractor) may gain you clarification of the project needs, allowing you again to say YES we will provide bid and/or at very least allow you to qualify what you will be providing in your bid with a qualifying disclaimer statement such as“. Subject to final design review and approval “ again saying YES we will conditionally provide a bid.

Scenario #4

Product line specified is not in your current product line offerings, or possibly outside of your manufacturing capabilities or it may just be a very complex application.

Following your due diligence, if a voice is talking to you saying “Big Effort, Little Result” (Even if it is one of your regular customers) – you may want to say NO thank you, we will not be providing a bid.

Often I see companies fearful to say NO – only to afterwards wish they did. They struggle through a difficult job consuming their time. Leaving them fire fighting project problems and unavailable when other project bids arise more suited to their standard product offering .

One has to ask themselves: How much would I have lost if my competitor was awarded this job?

My experience says probably not a lot…

Sometimes you just need to know when to say NO.

Norm Plumb
STAR Rail Systems

Details, Details, Details

Details, Details, Details

As they say ….”Fail to plan, Plan to fail.“

A big part of planning on any construction project involves paying attention to details (ATD).

In order to have the right aluminum railing materials on the job site and being able to coordinate the appropriate installation labor force, the Project Manager must stay on top of the always changing job site conditions. In the real world confirmation of site conditions are often a moving target requiring revisions (change orders), on the fly, to rectify the challenges and keep things moving.

Remember “Problems” are just “Challenges” looking for a solution.

Shop drawing sign-off and order fabrication is often based on blueprint drawings of what is projected to be there, but not often complete at time of product ordering. Hence, on the fly changes and Murphy’s Law can often rear there ugly heads. Strong ongoing knowledge of site conditions, paying attention to details (ATD) often is the difference to smooth project management and job profitability.

Aluminum railing product types such as S.T.A.R. offering easy field modification versatility and play a important role in achieving smooth project management, job profitability, along with satisfied repeat customers.

This is a key DETAIL to remember throughout the project.

Why Buy S.T.A.R.

Why Buy S.T.A.R.

S.T.A.R. Aluminum Rail is manufactured by East & West Alum Craft of Vancouver, B.C.

East & West Alum Craft Ltd.  has been manufacturing aluminum railing for over 45 years.  Out manufacturing facilities cover 65,000 sq feet, which allows us to manufacture over 1000 lineal feet of custom railing per day.  We offer a wide range of products from balcony rails, fencing, trellises and handrails.  Our product is a custom welded system that will stand the best test of time.  We have completed projects across North America.

We will work hand in hand with Architects, developers, and Contractors to design a railing system, which is not only a key element of most projects as well as being cost effective. The railings are manufactured and welded using wither 6061 or 6005 marine grade alloys.

We then paint with one of our two in house automated powder coat systems. We offer two types of paint, the Z series, which is a super-durable UV resistant paint, of a SOLAR series which is a flu carbon based paint that meets 2605 specifications if required.

Our company offers the best aluminum railing on the market.  Most of our growth has been repeat Architects’, Developers and Contractors that have had a chance to see out product in the field.

Aluminum Rail Safety Considerations

Aluminum Rail Safety Considerations

Aluminum Rail – Safety is Job # 1

The primary function of a guardrail is that of safety. Although esthetics and costs are often considerations found on most consumers’s guardrail shopping lists, guardrail structural strength and safety should top their list.

One of the key primary components of a guardrail is typically the posts, which are used to support and anchor the guardrail to the structure. You should know that all posts are not created equal. As a general rule, bigger is better (and stronger).

For example a 2” x 2” post with a .125 wall thickness will yield a better system design load strength than a smaller 1 ½  x 1 ½” post with a 0.080 wall thickness. Although the guardrail system using the smaller post may cost less, one has to ask themselves…Is the saving in cost worth compromising your family and friends safety?

When a residential consumer is buying an aluminum guardrail system it will likely be the last sundeck railing they will buy for their residence in their lifetime. Don’t make saving common cents affect your common sense when it comes to making good purchasing decisions.

The moral of the story is………..you are better to be SAFE  than sorry……save yourself from being sorry about worrying if that less expensive railing is up for the task of providing  you the peace of mind knowing if is safe or not?

Remember the primary function of a guardrail is that of safety!!

Norm Plumb
STAR Systems International Ltd

Dealers

Dealer Application Information Join our winning team by offering these great products to your residential and commerical customers. You may apply for dealer status in one of several ways. Option 1 – PDF – View/Print Documents – You may click the Dealer Application PDF link on this page to view, complete, a…