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Working with a building supplier seems straightforward. All you need to do is give them a list of supplies and get them delivered to your construction site.
But the process can be more complicated sometimes. Luckily, many building supplies providers like Sand4U building supplies are here for you in the Sydney area.
If you’re in the process of procuring building supplies for your project, here are a few essential questions you must ask your supplier.
What are the Types of Building Supplies You Provide?
When you’re constructing or working on a building, you’ll need various types of materials. Therefore, you must check the type of materials the supplier is working with.
There are as many as 20 types of building supplies. Some of the most common ones are:
- Natural products like wood and bamboo
- Metals like steel, iron, and copper
- Substances like cement, bitumen, sand, etc.
- Mansory
- Glass and fabric
It’s better if the supplier can offer all the supplies. If not, you can ask if they specialize in a particular type and offer any value-added services.
There are also eco-friendly building materials you can use. Ask the supplier if they deal with them.
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How Long Have You Been in Business?
It’s worth learning how long the supplier has been in the business of building supplies. The more experienced and established they are, the better it is.
The main reason why you should consider experience is because, with experience, they’d know where to procure the raw products and the end products from.
They must be working with a distributor or wholesaler to get the products. To confirm, you can ask where they get the materials.
An inexperienced supplier will make the mistake of procuring materials from an expensive source. Then, he will pass the added cost on to you, which you’d want to avoid.
Do You Have an SLA in Place?
SLA or Service Level Agreements are an important, yet neglected, part of procuring building supplies.
It’s more than a receipt and sets out responsibilities and priorities for the supplier. Consider it as a legal agreement between you and the building supplier.
If they fail to meet the terms mentioned in the SLA, then you can take legal action and seek financial reimbursement for the losses.
Similarly, the supplier can raise changes against you if you fail to meet the terms. With a receipt, you cannot possibly do that.
The SLA should contain the following:
- Type of supplies to be delivered
- Delivery time
- Set and agreed on standards
- Roles and responsibilities
- Payment terms
- Termination terms
- Confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements
Do You Offer Bulk Discounts?
If you’re going to purchase the supplies in bulk, it’s worth asking if they offer discounts. Most suppliers will offer a discount, however small it might be when you order in bulk.
By working with such companies, you can save a few bucks.
There are many more questions you can (and should) ask depending on your particular scenario.
If it’s for commercial purposes, SLA becomes even more thorough and detailed. Local building supplies companies like Sand4U Building Supplies will comply with the requirements and agreements if you let them know beforehand.
