Success with Your Installer - Pre-Installation Preparation Guide

The Three Principles Governing This Process:

1. "Measure Twice, Cut Once"

• Double-check everything upon receipt, at least 4 business days before installation (ideally more time in advance)
  • Verify you have everything you need (both what's included and what you might need otherwise)
  • Conduct dry-run assembly to identify potential issues early - Either put the parts together or lay them out (keep the protective film on to prevent scuff marks against any rough surfaces).

2. "Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst"

• Check thoroughly for anything missing, damaged, or incorrect in items received
  • CR Fence & Rail can 2 day air certain parts that's missing but the bigger kits will take a longer delivery time. This is why we are asking you (or ideally your installer) to review everything WELL before the installation date to ensure if there's any issue, there's enough time to get you the right parts.

3. "The Lack of Planning Does NOT Constitute Our Emergency"

• We are happy to help, but there is extremely little we can do in an "emergency"
  • This guide/instruction is created exclusively because an installer is hired but there is no step/requirement for the installer to at least review/familiarize and make sure the installer has everything needed for the day of the job. This step is NOT optional as if there's any issue on the day of installation, it will create an "emergency" because the installation might have to stop and wait for some problems to be resolved (and most likely, the installer will still want to be paid even though the job is not 100% done). We highly suggest you require the installer to verify everything needed is there- if you do not pay the installer to do this step; then you (or someone you trust) will have to do this step.
  • Ideally- make your quote/fee structure to be dependent on verifying everything needed and only pay for the installation itself. If the installer didn't check to verify everything that's needed is there and needs to take more time, make that the installer's responsibility (not yours as the buyer). There's naturally different incentive aligned- who does not want to get paid for not having to work (because of someone else's problem and it always is to blame parts not working or not there). So we HIGHLY suggest you pay a bit more for the installer to be in charge of double checking everything and having your installer talk to us.

Essential Success Factors:

1. Designate a responsible party - SOMEONE must take ownership of verification process
2. Complete verification 4+ business days before installation -- or we have a good chance of not being able to get the right parts to you quickly.
3. Conduct dry-run assembly - Test-fit & visually inspect all the components before crew arrival (this also makes the day of installation very straightforward if you laid everything out). Once again, it should be part of the installer's responsibility (for jobs with more than a few kits)---1 person can do this and it will save tremendous time on the day of installation. It is a WIN / WIN. (And if there's an issue, and this step is skipped, it is almost always a LOSE / LOSE / LOSE -- no one is happy when an issue is discovered on the day of installation- please trust us on this.)
4. Communicate early - Tell us about issues BEFORE the verification window closes while we can still 2-day air express parts (or more time for bigger kits).

Critical Reality Check: Almost always, when installers arrive at job sites having NOT opened any boxes or seen the product, issues will inevitably lead to an "emergency." The installer will almost always want to be paid regardless even when problems that should've been discovered before the installation rather than during the installation. This step is to save you, save the installer and save CR Fence & Rail from these issues and "lost wages" time.

Ordering Precisely What You Need vs A Bit Extra?

In construction in general, an installer will typically order a bit extra (unless it's precisely just a few kits needed) for a small job. Typically the allowance of material is 10-20% extra in case of issues, so this way the installer doesn't have to drive back and forth to get the right parts or exchange things. And sometimes, the installer would return whatever that's returnable.

Keep in mind, so far we have only talked about missing, damaged, wrong parts shipped (because we are trying to set a boundary and expectation on what CR Fence & Rail can and would do). However, you or your installer can also damage (example: cutting a rail too short) the product as well. Perhaps you have not factored this in so now (to save you time and headache later), we want to bring this to your attention so you can make the most appropriate choice.

Option 1: Precision Ordering (Exact Quantities)

• Hope for the best: Everything arrives perfect and nothing goes wrong. This means zero margin for cutting errors, field modifications, or damaged pieces
• Time is NO Big Deal: You can continue and fix whatever issue later (waiting is ok).
• COST: Most likely the cheapest option since there is absolutely nothing you will need to risk returning and you can order as you need.
  • Unless you are paying for your installer by the hour or by the day, and you might still have to pay him even if there's some issue (whether it be on CR or on installer).

Option 2: Overage Ordering (10-20% Extra)

• Plan for the worst: Account for potential issues, errors, and field conditions
• Protection: Field flexibility, cutting error buffer, damage protection
• Industry Standard: Standard construction practice for exactly these reasons
• COST: Most likely return cost (which most likely will be pretty expensive on the kits) but if there's any issue, most likely will be able to get through it for the day and be done with it.

There is no right or wrong way to decide here, it is solely up to you. The key thing here (and this whole article) is purely about time.

Pre-Quote Requirement for Installers

If you have not received installer quotes yet, we HIGHLY encourage you to include pre-installation verification as part of the installer's requirements. They need to factor this time and responsibility into their quote. This protects both you and the installer from unexpected costs (and align everyone's interest into the common goal- getting your railing system up in the most efficient and easiest manner).

CRITICAL: Review Our Means & Methods Disclaimer

Before proceeding, all contractors must review and understand our comprehensive Means & Methods Disclaimer. CR Fence & Rail provides building materials and general installation guidelines only. The contractor and licensed professional are solely responsible for determining proper installation methods, safety precautions, and local code compliance.