Having worked on over 40,000 projects from compact urban extensions to the grandest of Grand Designs TV new home projects, IDSystems has seen it all. Below, Technical Sales Manager Edward Stobart has rounded up the most common issues he has encountered in luxury projects, and how to avoid them:
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Consolidating contracts wherever possible helps avoid communication issues caused by a disconnected supply chain.
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Hiring specialist installers that are experienced with the products you’re using, as well as understanding the full technical considerations for the project are crucial to complete a quality build.
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Being proactive in your advice to clients, particularly around planning and building regulations, builds trust and avoids conflicts down the line.
1. Too many points of contact
Edward Stobart says, “In my experience, one of the most common sources of project delays is a disconnected supply chain. If you have a supplier buying from a fabricator and then subcontracting the fitting, there is so little control over responsibility and quality. One of the main reasons we manufacture, supply, and install ourselves is so we aren’t reliant on third parties to make or fit the products.”
To avoid a disconnected supply chain, consolidate contracts wherever possible, especially for critical components like glazing. Duncan Foster from Duncan Foster Architects says: “The general rule I always think with glazing is the more you can get wrapped up in one contract, the better. Because there’s one point of contact for the client, one point of contact for me, and one point of contact for the contractor and his programming. So, it was really critical that all the different glazing systems we wanted in here could all be supplied and installed by one manufacturer.”
2. A lack of specialist installers
A common oversight is assuming any installer can handle specialist products, but even the highest quality products will fail if a contractor doesn’t install them correctly.
Stobart says, “It isn’t just skilled glazing installers – it is installers that are experienced with that particular product. There is a huge difference between being able to fit nice, easy rectangular bathroom windows compared to a huge set of sliding doors, and once the doors are in, making adjustments becomes exponentially more problematic.”
3. Incorrect product specifications
Choosing complex products without a full understanding of technical considerations and requirements for the specific property can result in multiple problems. For example, factors to consider when selecting glazing should include:
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Wind exposure
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Solar gain
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Security
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Thermal performance.
Without the correct specification, your completed space could be uncomfortable, inefficient, or fail to meet security and weather-proofing standards.
While there are retrofit changes that can be made with glass, opting for the wrong solar control coatings and ending up with rooms that overheat because of direct sunshine in summer could completely negate any benefit of building the space.
4. Failing to comply with planning and building regulations
The complexities of building regulations can be a minefield, but failure to comply can be a hugely frustrating and expensive mistake, and can cause friction with clients.
“Be on the lookout for projects that ignore key features because they impact the aesthetic appeal of the finished system,” Stobart highlights. “Finding out when you go to get sign-off on the house that the doors don’t comply with the relevant building regulations because they don’t have trickle vents or don’t include security laminate glass can be hugely frustrating.”
“Giving homeowners accurate and honest information upfront is crucial. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with the homeowner, but they rely on your expertise.” Stobart advises. “Being proactive and diligent about compliance not only helps deliver the project to a standard you can be proud of, but also builds client confidence and trust, which can earn you more work in the future.”
Luxury renovation projects are complex, but they don’t have to be stressful. By anticipating these common pitfalls, you can navigate the process with confidence. You can find more advice from Stobart here, or contact the IDSystems team to discuss working together on your next project.