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Selecting a building accessory company to keep your structures outfitted with the tools they need to breathe — or the eye-pleasing finishing touches that set them apart — isn’t easy. After all, there are countless companies out there, many of whom look just as reputable as the next. At Metallic Products, however, we believe a bit of due diligence at the start of the selection process can tell you a lot about a building accessory provider (and put your mind at ease along the way). Here are a few questions to ask when it comes to deciding who to hire.
Where Are Your Products Made?
Although there’s nothing wrong with purchasing a product made overseas, doing so can introduce obstacles to the mix. The supply chain issues that took hold in 2020 (and have never truly gone away) mean you could be waiting quite a while for your order. And if a return or replacement does become necessary, that’s even more time added to your project. Of course, there are many people who simply feel better purchasing products made in their home country, as doing so supports local economies. At Metallic Products, all of our metal building accessories are created at our Houston, Texas, headquarters.
What Sort of Turnaround Time Am I Looking at?
Timelines matter with metal building construction projects. You’ll want to make sure your metal building accessories make their way to the jobsite before you’re ready to install them, so work can continue forward unimpeded — and your clients remain happy. (As a friendly note, we’re big believers in factoring your accessory needs into project plans from the very start.) Ask your accessory provider about their average lead time, so you can adequately prepare. As an example, we average five to seven working days per order, although that can vary by product — and doesn’t factor in shipping time.
What if I Need a Building Accessory with Custom Colors or Dimensions?
Unique design can be the mark of an aesthetically interesting steel building, but it can make finding ventilation accessories a pain. Before choosing a manufacturer to do business with, make sure they offer products in the size (and color) you need. If they don’t, see if they’re willing to work with you to provide what is required for the job. We offer a wide range of standard and specialty finish options, for instance, uniquely shaped architectural louvers and large-throat ridge vents for structures of epic proportions. And if our offerings don’t suit your unique needs, our team is glad to work out something that will.
What Support Will I Receive After the Purchase?
Things aren’t over once your building accessory order arrives. (In fact, that’s just the start.) What sort of assistance will you have once it comes time to install your purchase? What happens if you find parts are missing — or worse, defective? It’s important to find a building accessories provider that’s willing to stay with you for the long haul and offer resources to make your work easier. The Metallic Products team provides written installation instructions with our orders, while certain products also feature online installation videos you can access through QR codes. Of course, if there are problems with the products themselves, we encourage you to contact our team so we can make it right.
How Long Has Your Company Been Around?
This might seem like a strange addition to the list, but there’s good reasoning behind it. A company that’s been in operation for a number of years has had the chance to prove the type of business it is and the quality of products it puts out. And for that reason, you’ll be able to rest assured you’re working with someone you can trust. Go online to learn their story, and take some time to look into online reviews and the like. If you do a bit of homework about Metallic Products, you’ll learn we’ve been around for more than 60 years at this point, and that we played an active role in shaping (and creating) the metal building manufacturing industry as it is today. We’re also a proud family-owned business.
It doesn’t take too much time to knock these questions out with your potential metal building accessory provider, and it can save your team from tremendous troubles down the line. If you have questions about anything you’ve just read, or if you’re curious to learn how Metallic Products can help with your upcoming builds, please contact our team. We’re glad to assist, and we’d love to hear from you!
