We have worked recently with many of East Anglia’s best quality home builders and developers.
A question that comes up sometimes is whether our client should unpackage some of the elements normally included – formers, windows, bifolds, front doors and other personnel doors.
We thought it might help to present a balanced view of the upsides and downsides of a client grouping or breaking down these packages when approaching a project.
More elements in the package…
Pros
Contractor can often provide a keener overall price on a larger package
One stop shop for fit, service and aftercare issues
Costs of aftercare are covered in the overall package
Time savings in client-side procurement and aftercare
Reduced interaction required dealing with a single contractor
Cons
More difficult to demonstrate cost savings
Not adhering to pre-set company or group buying deals
Fewer elements in the package…
Pros
Potential for headline saving on product cost
Cons
Having to organise the installation of directly procured products
Dealing with multiple contractors
In-house aftercare and servicing to be managed at own cost
Multiple points of contact pre, during and post contract
Summary from a subcontractor’s perspective…
In our experience our clients have benefited overall in terms of cost, quality and efficiency by enlarging the scope of packages. This allows the subcontractor to take a keener view on margin overall, and the inclusion of servicing and aftercare almost always eliminates any initial headline saving.
But that’s just our view – always happy to debate!