In exposed ductwork installations, a well-thought-out execution of design, fabrication and installation is crucial. Any weak link in the process could undermine the whole job and leave your clients wanting. With some help from Bob Reid at Spiral Pipe of Texas, here’s how to knock exposed ductwork projects out of the park every time.
Never settle for “make it look good” when it comes to expectations. Vagueness takes time to figure out, and time is money. Show your client photos from other jobs to give them options and to set clear expectations of what the finished product will be. “If dents and dings are not acceptable, state that in the contract documents,” Reid explains. “I often see projects where a minimum gauge is called for to prevent dents and dings, especially in athletic facilities where expected use involves lots of basketballs hitting the duct. It’s an option available to the design team in all applications, though for the sake of cost you might just want to use standard gauges and make sure everyone is just a little more careful with the duct if you don’t expect mistreatment after installation.”