Commercial glazing quotes are their own genre. They are longer than a residential quote, they call out standards and materials that read like a spec sheet, and there is usually a small print section on what is not included. This is a walk-through of exactly how we quote at Panther Glass, so you know what to look for when comparing.
Stage 1: getting enough to quote
We can price a commercial job three ways:
- Off drawings. A PDF of the architectural set, ideally with the glazing schedule. This is fastest for new fit-out work.
- Off a photo and rough dimensions. Enough for a replacement or single-pane job.
- Off a site visit. Free within Penrith and inner Western Sydney for jobs over $2,000.
For a full commercial glazing package we prefer drawings, because we can quote every panel accurately without going back for site measurements twice.
Stage 2: what a real quote contains
A serious commercial glazing quote will have all of the following. If yours is missing any of them, ask.
- Job description naming the standard (AS 1288, AS/NZS 2208).
- Line items per panel with size, thickness, grade (toughened, laminated, IGU), tint or coating, and hardware.
- Frame system named by manufacturer if applicable (for example Alspec 150 x 50 curtain wall).
- Access assumptions, scaffold, EWP, working hours.
- Exclusions, what is not included (paint, patching, electrical, boarding disposal).
- Lead time from acceptance to install.
- Warranty terms, workmanship and manufacturer warranty on glass and hardware.
- Public liability certificate reference.
Stage 3: what usually changes a quote
Once you accept, three things can move the number, in our experience:
- Access. If the site changes from ground-level to needing an EWP, that is billable.
- Frame condition. On replacement jobs, if the existing frame turns out to be corroded or out-of-square by more than the spec allows, we quote a frame swap separately.
- After-hours work. Standard commercial-hours install is included; night or weekend install carries a loading, typically 30 to 50%.
How long a quote takes
- Single-pane replacement: same day for anything sent before midday.
- Shopfront or storefront job: 24 to 48 hours.
- Full fit-out or curtain wall: 3 to 5 business days from drawings.
- Insurance claim job: same day, direct-billed to insurer once claim number is confirmed.
What a commercial glazing quote should never do
- Quote off a phone call only. If there are no dimensions and no photo, it is a rough guess, not a quote.
- Omit the standards. If AS 1288 and AS/NZS 2208 do not appear anywhere, the glazier is not thinking about sign-off.
- Miss the exclusions. Silence about scaffolding or after-hours usually means a variation is coming.
Send us the job
Drawings, photo, or address. Whatever you have, that is enough to get a commercial glazing quote moving.
