A Scheduling Service to ease the Project Burden

A service designed to simplify scheduling of ironmongery/hardware has now been used by a number of leading Design and Build Contractors, architects, housing associations, and local authorities on major projects. Hardware scheduling is a difficult and time-consuming job when completed in-house and requires extensive libraries and in-depth knowledge. Preferably it should only be completed by holders of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers Diploma (Dip. G.A.I).

Many specifiers call on the services of the hardware supplier to complete schedules on their projects, using individual merchants codes and catalogue numbers and not necessarily manufacturers’ references. This can cause confusion and make it almost impossible to obtain competitive quotes on a ‘like-for-like’ basis.

Architectural Hardware Consultants Ltd. (AHC) was established some fifteen years ago to provide specifiers with a complete scheduling and tender service. Computerised door-by-door ironmongery schedules are produced using products available openly in the trade, and competitive quotations then obtained through a number of merchants/ironmongers. The service is provided free of charge as all costs are covered by the successful supplier who is appointed after consultation with the client, contractor, architect and quantity surveyor.

AHC was founded by Don Lund Dip GAI Inst. Al, who with over 20 years’ experience in the industry, was previously sales director for a nationwide chain of architectural ironmongers and a former member of the National Executive of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers. He holds a Diploma from the Guild and is also a member of the Institute.

Don Lund says: "Specifiers/Contractors seem to like the idea of handing out a set of drawings for a qualified person to produce the hardware schedules. Because the service is free and schedules are completed by a company which then invites competitive tenders, the process is simplified and savings of time and money can be achieved."