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Glazing & Storefront: what bids leave out
Storefront bids can look close when they're really different packages. One bidder carries framing, glass, entrance doors with hardware, sill flashing, perimeter sealant and engineering. Another prices frames and glass only, says door hardware and caulking are by others, and leaves out mirrors and interior glass. Spell out the package before you compare.
Level your glazing bids with this checklist →
Standard scope checklist
Send this to every bidder and ask them to mark each line Included, Excluded or give an Add $. Silence is not inclusion.
Sending it out? Use the free scope letter template to ask every bidder for line-item scope, inclusions, exclusions and alternates. Terms to know: exclusion.
| # | Scope item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Systems included: exterior storefront, curtain wall, windows, interior glass |
| 2 | Framing system, finish and color per spec, or approved equal |
| 3 | Glass type: insulated, low-E, tint, laminated or tempered |
| 4 | Safety glazing where required (check local code/AHJ) |
| 5 | Energy performance requirements for glass and framing (check local code/AHJ) |
| 6 | Shop drawings and engineering (if a delegated design) |
| 7 | Field measuring after rough openings are built |
| 8 | Entrance doors: type, finish and quantity |
| 9 | Entrance door hardware: closers, pivots, locks, exit devices, pulls |
| 10 | Electrified hardware and door operators at storefront entries |
| 11 | Sill pans, flashing and anchors |
| 12 | Perimeter sealant inside and out |
| 13 | Interior glass walls, sidelites and borrowed lites |
| 14 | Glass in doors by others (coordinate with door supplier) |
| 15 | Fire-rated glass where required |
| 16 | Mirrors and restroom glass |
| 17 | Window film and graphics |
| 18 | Lifts and access equipment |
| 19 | Temporary protection and final glass cleaning |
| 20 | Water testing, if specified |
| 21 | Warranty: glass seal, framing finish and labor |
| 22 | Sales tax, freight and bond |
Common exclusions and how they are worded
| Exclusion | Typical wording | Why it matters | Typical cost to cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance door hardware |
| Storefront doors need closers, locks and panic hardware that match the hardware schedule. Standard packages often don't. | TBD |
| Electrified & automatic doors |
| Card readers and automatic entries need electrified hardware and power at the frame. Coordinate with the door, electrical and low-voltage bids. | TBD |
| Sealants & flashing |
| The joint between storefront and the wall is where leaks start. Make sure one bid carries sill pans, flashing and perimeter sealant. | TBD |
| Engineering & shop drawings |
| Larger openings may need engineered framing and anchors. Confirm whether stamped calculations are required and who provides them. | TBD |
| Safety & specialty glass |
| Safety, laminated and fire-rated glass cost more than standard panes. Check local code/AHJ and the plans, then confirm each type is priced. | TBD |
| Interior glass & mirrors |
| Office fronts, sidelites and restroom mirrors may be on the plans but not in the glazing bid. Check every glass item on the schedule. | TBD |
| Field measuring & openings |
| Storefront is often built to field measurements. Out-of-square openings can mean change orders or delays. | TBD |
| Film & graphics |
| Privacy film, safety striping and logos are often left for later and then forgotten. Decide who carries them. | TBD |
| Access & cleaning |
| High glass needs lifts, and new glass needs a final clean. Make sure both are carried. | TBD |
“Typical cost to cover” is TBD. We will publish ranges only once we have real, sourced data. Until then, use your own estimate or a confirmed add price from a bidder.
Questions to ask bidders
- Does your entrance door hardware match the hardware schedule?
- Are electrified hardware, power transfers and door operators included at the entries?
- Are sill pans, flashing and perimeter sealant inside and out included?
- Are shop drawings and any required engineering included?
- Which glass types did you price (tempered, laminated, low-E, fire-rated)?
- Are interior glass, sidelites and mirrors included?
- Will you field measure before fabricating? What lead time does that add?
- Are lifts and final glass cleaning included?
Bid-ready glazing contractors
Contractors who agree to price against the standard checklist above, with exclusions spelled out line by line. Listings are not live yet.
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Bids on the BidGaps checklist
Featured listing
Your company · City, ST
Bids on the BidGaps checklist