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How to Choose a Quality Glazier & Glass Company in Melbourne
It can be stressful to have a broken window or wish to upgrade your glass. Choosing the correct company, a professional glazier, to do this work is therefore essential for your safety, and to ensure the work gets done correctly.
If you employ the wrong person for window replacement in Melbourne, the outcome will be poor quality, you’ll be stuck with higher energy bills, and you may be placing yourself in danger.
At Clearcut Glass, we want your experience to be clear and straightforward. Here is our straightforward, easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide about how to choose a quality glass company you can trust.
1. Check Their Paperwork: Are They Legal and Safe?
This is the most important step. Think of this as their “permission to work” card.
The Essentials to Ask For:
- Insurance: You should always see a public liability insurance certificate. This means if the glazier, for any reason, breaks something inside your home, such as a wall, or floor, their insurance will cover it.
- Safety Standards: In Australia (Victoria), all glass work must be conducted under stringent Australian Safety Standards (AS1288). Any glazier worth their salt will always use the correct safety glass (ie toughened or laminated safety glass) when it is required. Ask them if they understand them and are familiar with the standards.
- Proof of Business: A good company should happily provide you with their business name and business number. Also, it would be a good sign if all the glaziers you speak to happen to be a member of a trade Association such as the Australian Glass and Glazing Association (AGGA), which denotes that the company has value around quality.
2. Look at Their Experience: Have They Done Your Job Before?
A company that only fixes small bathroom mirrors might not be the best choice for a big, new shopfront window.
- Your job type: In case you need a straightforward window for fast replacement, search for a company that provides emergency glass replacement. If you require quieter and more energy-efficient glass, then double glazing window specialists should be your option.
- Custom work: When you have a special job such as a glass pool fence or a custom shower screen, then visit and see photos of similar jobs done by the company. Experience gives them knowledge of tricks and avoids making mistakes.
3. Read Reviews and Check Their Reputation
What do other customers say? Online reviews are like having many friends give you advice.
Where to Look: Check Google Reviews and their social media pages.
What to Look For:
- Punctuality: Did they show up on time?
- Tidiness: Did they clean up all the broken glass and mess before they left?
- Fairness: Was the price that they promised the one they stuck to?
A company that has many positive reviews for a long period is in most cases a secure choice.
4. Ask About the Glass Quality and Warranty
You are being charged for quality and long-lasting glass. Do not allow them to use cheap materials that will easily fail.
- Quality Materials: Ask where they got their glass. A good company uses A-Grade glass that meets Australian standards.
- Frame and Seals: Glass is not the only thing that matters. Inquire about the window frame and seals (the rubber parts) quality. Unfit seals will let cold air in and thus raise your heating/cooling bills.
- Warranty (Guarantee): A high-quality glazier will back up their work with a warranty. Inquire about the duration of the warranty for the glass and the installation work. A longer warranty period (such as 5 or 10 years) indicates that they have faith in their own work.
5. Get a Clear Price (Quote)
Do not ever agree to a verbal (spoken) price. Always request the price in writing.
Detailed Quote: The quote should be concise and comprehensible. It should inform you of:
- The type of glass they are going to use (e.g. safety glass of 6mm thickness).
- Cost of Labour (charge for the work).
- Disposal Fee: Are they responsible for taking away the old, broken glass and for its safe disposal?
- GST: Is the tax included in the total price?
- Be Careful of Low Prices: If one quote is much lower than the rest, find out the reason. This might indicate that they are using poor quality glass or not having proper insurance. The lowest price is usually the most expensive remedy later on!
- Payment: Full amount should never be paid prior to the job being finished. It is common to pay a small deposit (to get the glass) but the remainder should be given only when you are satisfied with the completed work.
Your Safety and Comfort Come First
Selecting a suitable glass replacement contractor in Melbourne is a matter of safety, energy savings, and comfort. By checking their insurance, experience, and customer reviews, you can be sure that you are choosing a qualified partner.
Clearcut Glass always provides you with safe, quality, and compliant glass solutions.
Ready for a clear, written quote from a trusted Melbourne glazier? Contact Clearcut Glass today!
