Following our tips on how to understand your truss quote, Luke Roberts, DTE Managing Director, has answered some common questions about how to determine the most suitable quotes for your Posi Joist project.
What are your top tips when assessing Posi Joist quotes?
What items should I be looking out for on my quote?
One item that is often missed off quotes when masonry hangers are used is parallel restraint straps. These are required in the regs and NHBC standards to help tie the walls into the floor - often they are detailed at 2m centres like perpendicular straps on all joist layouts. Please note the precise number of straps required should be confirmed by the building designer.
Some companies don’t include items like chipboard flooring and glue, but sourcing this as an extra could add 40% onto the end price. Make sure you know whether this has been included in your price or not.
It’s also worth noting that when companies don’t allow for the supply of the chipboard, they might not have designed the joist layout with chipboard in mind. The joist price might seem competitive compared to others at first glance, but if you end up having to use more chipboard on site, the overall floor cost will end up being more!
What information do Posi Joist manufacturers need to produce an accurate quote?
Ideally, manufacturers need floor plans, sections, elevations, floor loading information, structural opening drawings and any areas required to be trimmed around along with anything else that can affect the floor we design for you. This includes any service runs you want to include within your floor zone.
A simple request for ‘everything I need for a floor’ doesn’t capture the specifics, so all items included in the quote should be listed to avoid any uncertainty.
What should a good quote include?
It’s better to receive a long quote where every part has been considered, than start with a cheaper quote and realise crucial parts have been left off. It’s easy to remove items that are not required than having to consider what hasn’t been accounted for.
With this in mind, a good quote should include:
If you’re unsure of any of the terminology, check it with the designer.
How do you know the price is right?
Remember, value is not just cost effectiveness. You’re also paying for confidence in who you will work with, so find a company who you trust to deliver on time and quality. It’s also worth checking their credentials and history before committing.
What happens next?
When you’ve agreed a fixed quote and are happy to proceed you should receive layout drawings for approval. These should contain all relevant dimensions for checking; Posi Joist profiles; relevant loading information and notes relating to areas of complexity or assumptions made from the drawings provided. Make sure these details are checked thoroughly by a competent person.
Any changes need to be clearly marked on the drawing before returning to the designer. These changes should then be made, and a final approval drawing issued to you for sign-off and to confirm your delivery date.
What is the delivery process?
A suitable delivery date should be agreed so you can arrange the necessary equipment for offloading. As Posi Joists often come in banded packs, mechanical offloading is a consideration that should be made prior to ordering.
When your delivery arrives, the driver will have a copy of the layout drawing with their delivery paperwork and will un-band the load in a suitable location for you, as well as off offloading your Posi Joist plot and chipboard flooring packs.
If you need any further support, get in touch with your local sales team.