Let me begin by giving some disadvantages of choosing a large Company.

It is often the practice of a large company, in answer to your phone enquiry, to have someone come out and measure & speak with you. Be aware that this person is a salesman – a person hand-picked and trained to get you to sign a contract and pay a deposit. The job satisfaction for this person is not in seeing a quality finished shower screen in your home, but in fact, in seeing his commission increased by your signing over business to his company. Remember, no matter how credible or likeable, this is not the man who will install your shower screen. And be aware also, that this man may be good at being friendly and credible, but exactly how experienced and good is he at taking measurements. Why do I say this? Because glass is glass, but the MOST IMPORTANT 2 FACTORS IN ENSURING A QUALITY FINISHED SHOWER SCREEN ARE MEASUREMENT AND INSTALLATION. More on this later.

Yes, it is true that a large company can, usually, because of large turnover, keep its cost of materials lower. However, bear in mind that the cost of its labour will be often higher than than that of the smaller company, as its overheads are higher and there is often more pressure on profit margin.

Also, although it might seem that with a large established Company one is can expect better after-sales support, this might in fact not be the case at all, as the large Company because it sells so many screens, is often removed from the individual client and finished product fully installed. You are a client among many many clients, therefore carry less weight and it is often easier for your order, if e.g. misplaced or damaged en route, to become a source of irritation and postponement rather than responsibility, for overall management.

It is well to consider also, that the labour component of many large Companies in this Industry, perhaps more so than in smaller companies, has a very high turnover, so it is not at all sure whether the person ultimately installing your expensive Shower Screen has in fact, 3 months or 10 years, experience.

Now some disadvantages of choosing a small Company.

Unless the small Company has some link with a larger firm, its buying power will be less and its product, therefore, usually more costly. However, its labour may be less so, as its profit margin does not need to be so high. Also, the smaller Company may be prepared to cut its profit margin drastically just while initially making itself known on the market. So in fact, the very small company might end up being more competitive in price.

However, a warning here – many small Companies begin with only the Director having the Shower Screen experience, and that experience might lie either in the Office or on the job. Whichever the case, he will probably not be the one installing your screen for you. This will be a person fairly new to the small Company just starting, who is untried and may or may not have sufficient experience. The very small, new Shower Screen Company is just as liable as the very large Company to have a high staff turnover and a very great variability in experience among its installers.

Also, the small Company is of course, more liable, because of the profit-cutting it often initially must do to compete, to have a short life span and then considerations of post-installation support have to be taken into account.

On the other hand, the smaller the Company, the more likely your order is to be followed up, should there be a problem, as you are not one of many.

In Conclusion

The bottom line is always this –you might, with great care choose a Company but you usually cannot, choose your Measurer or Installer. And that is your biggest Problem where the more complex 10 mm. frameless screen is concerned.

Just as in the Real Estate Industry, the key to Value in Property is position, position, position – so in the Shower Screen Industry, the key to Value, especially in the more complicated Frameless Shower Screen Installation, is experience, experience, experience.

A company can become successful either by: -

1. Referral by happy clients or
2. Expensive advertising and sales-training.

Therefore, do not fall into the trap of just choosing the most successful Company – choose the one that can guarantee to you that the person who measures, and especially the person who installs your frameless shower screen, is very experienced. Ask how many years he has been doing the job. Ask to speak to him. Ask how long he has been employed by the firm – for it is he, who is of most importance to you, not the person who owns the business, not the person in the office who answers your call, not the man who visits you to close the sale – this is the most important piece of advice I can give you.