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Home Improvement

Choosing Your Balustrade Provider

At last, you are either building your new dream home, or you are renovating and you are looking for the PERFECT balustrade for your home. The process is both exciting but overwhelming, you really want to *get this right*. What designs are available? Will what I want suit the area and my budget? How do I find a reliable supplier? It’s a lot to think about, it’s a lot to take in, and it’s a lot to consider.

 

Importance of Proper Installation of Balustrades

You need to get this right the first time, balustrading is an important addition to your home –

  • If it is done wrong it’s a costly mistake and it could be hard to fix
  • The main purpose of a balustrade is to provide safety in the home, if it’s not done correctly it can be a huge mistake
  • It contributes to not only the look of your home, but your home’s value
  • It is permanent and something you have to live with – so it needs to not only look good, but be top quality.

 

Choosing Your Balustrade Provider

 

Selecting Right Balustrade Provides

How do you find the right balustrade provider for your needs?

  • Do your research –  research the supplier first, visit their web page, look at their social media accounts – google them and read all the reviews, testimonials or feedback you can find. Look at photos of their work online you can tell if a business is professional, by its website and it’s online presence. How long have they been in business? Are they local? How much experience do they have? Do they have a showroom? Can you visit their business see their products and have time to chat with them about their products? Do they have any after sales service?
  • Seek out those testimonials – any reputable balustrade company won’t have any problems sharing their feedback or testimonials with you. You can also ask if any past clients would be willing to talk with you. Good and even bad feedback should be easily found on their website.
  • Check their qualifications and licence – your balustrade supplier or their contractors should have all the right licenses and qualifications to carry out the supply and installation. Again, a reputable business will not have any issue providing you with these details.
  • Get at least 2 or 3 different quotes – most people spend time shopping around and get a few quotes before they make a final decision. Be careful of very cheap quotes, while you do want to save money, cheap quotes can mean the provider is inexperienced, doesn’t understand the job fully or is manufacturing or importing inferior products. Remember cheapest isn’t always the best – you need your balustrade to be of good quality and to meet all Australian standards. It IS a costly investment but it is adding value to your home. You wouldn’t buy a cheap unreliable car if it was costing you money constantly for repairs, so you wouldn’t buy cheap balustrading. In the end, cheap balustrading may end up costing you more in the long run than you saved initially.
  • Research their products – where do their products come from? Where are they made? There are problems with the cheaper Chinese imports not meeting Australian standards. For example, some Chinese glass has been known to explode when exposed to long periods in the sun. All products sold must comply to BCA codes and Australian Standards. Are the products they use made to withstand the Australian sun and climate? Can they make the design you are looking for? Are their products custom made or are they set panel sizes?
  • Get an onsite measure and quote – these are often free and happen before the balustrade goes into production. During the quote, your contractor should explain the process to you, ask if you have questions and find the best solution for your budget.
  • Make sure the contract you sign is valid – to protect you, there should be a contract in place prior to work starting it should include everything you have discussed including the price you have agreed on, warranties, payment information etc.
  • Make sure your supplier knows and understands the BCA Codes and Australian Standards – when you talk to your contractor or consultant you’ll get an idea of their knowledge and experience they should be able to explain to you the whole process and answer any of your questions. Beware of any contractors who seem vague or general when replying to your questions that’s usually a sign that they lack the knowledge and probably don’t understand your project.

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