If a balustrade inquiry stipulates “Design”, do we quote with Engineers’ sign off included?
Yes, we do. We are mainly asked to quote on two alternatives, namely; “Design, supply and install” or “Supply and install”.
What is the difference?
“Design, Supply and Install”: We will take the clients’ aesthetic concept and design a balustrade system that will be signed off by an engineer in terms of the relevant SANS requirements. We will submit these detailed drawings to the client for aesthetic approval, and on approval, we will install in accordance with best practice. With this option we take full responsibility for the balustrades and the client can rest assured that they receive a quality, SANS compliant balustrade. “Supply and Install”: We produce detailed shop drawings representing the clients’ aesthetic concept and submitted design, then based on the clients approval of shop drawings, we will install the balustrades in accordance with best practice. We do not take any engineering responsibility / SANS compliance, in this option as we will assume that the design was approved prior to the price inquiry being submitted.
Will this affect the price?
With the design option, an engineer will sign off the drawings in terms of the relevant SANS requirements. The engineer will attract a basic design fee. The materials used to comply with the relevant SANS loading codes, might be more expensive as the wall thickness, section size, glass thickness, etc. might be bigger than expected. In order to comply, we will value engineer your balustrade so as to give you a SANS compliant product at the best possible rate.