What should a builder include in an aluminium window RFQ?
A builder RFQ should include the project location, drawing revision, window schedule, opening dimensions, quantities and required opening types. Add known frame or thermal direction, glass and safety notes, finish, hardware, screens, acoustic or weather expectations, installation interface, packaging, delivery destination and requested quotation date. Separate mandatory requirements from preferences and alternatives. Ask every supplier to state assumptions, exclusions, proposed series, glass build-up, accessories, packing and lead-time basis in the same format. If information is incomplete, invite a clarification list rather than a hidden allowance. This makes quotations easier to compare and reduces scope changes before shop drawings, samples and production approval.
Buyer decision boundary
An RFQ starts comparison, not an order, final price, approval or transfer of local project responsibility.
Evidence to request or retain
- Same RFQ package.
- Mandatory versus optional items.
- Supplier response.
- Change record.
- Release checklist.
Example input: RFQ matrix
- ID
- Requirement
- Response
- Status
- Evidence
- Assumption
- Owner
What this guide does not confirm
Not a binding quote, contract, commitment or compliance confirmation.
Builder RFQ structure
| Section | Include | Supplier response |
|---|---|---|
| Project | Location, drawings, schedule and revision | Scope acknowledgement |
| Product | Opening, glass, finish, hardware and screens | Proposed system and alternatives |
| Commercial | Packing, destination and required date | Lead time, exclusions and delivery basis |
Which project and drawing details belong in the RFQ?
An RFQ should begin with project country, city, building type, buyer role and approximate timeline. A villa owner, builder, showroom and importer may need different quote detail even when the window sizes look similar.
This context helps the factory decide how much detail to include in the first reply. A buyer comparing systems needs explanation. A repeat importer may need clearer scope, packing and trade term structure.
How should mandatory requirements and options be separated?
The strongest RFQ includes plans, elevations and a window schedule. If those are not ready, rough opening sizes and photos are enough for a first review. The factory needs width, height, quantity, opening type and any large-panel notes.
Do not send only a catalogue image and ask for the best price. A supplier cannot responsibly choose frame depth, glass or hardware without opening information.
The RFQ should package the drawing, schedule, system direction and unresolved questions into one usable brief.
Which glass, hardware and installation notes improve comparison?
The RFQ does not need final engineering decisions, but it should state the desired direction: casement, sliding, lift-slide, tilt-turn, folding, sunroom, thermal break, non-thermal, double glazing, Low-E, laminated glass, screen and hardware finish.
If you are unsure, say what problem you want to solve: heat, noise, safety, large opening, coastal exposure, easier maintenance or budget control. That creates a better supplier conversation.
What return format should every supplier follow?
For overseas orders, packing and delivery affect the real project cost. State whether you expect FOB, CIF, LCL, full container, warehouse delivery, site delivery or staged shipments. Mention whether labels should match the window schedule.
A quote that ignores packing can look cheaper at first but become harder to use later. Builders need to receive, identify and move the goods smoothly.
A serious quotation should state which parts are factory supplied, assembled, glazed, packed and documented.
5. Compare replies by scope, not only total price
When replies arrive, check whether each supplier quoted the same sizes, glass, color, hardware, screen, packing and trade term. Also check whether they asked useful questions. A detailed question often means the supplier saw a real project issue.
A fair comparison is not the lowest number in isolation. It is the clearest scope at a price that matches the system and delivery reality.
6. Use one RFQ format for every supplier
If you ask three suppliers with three different messages, the replies will be difficult to compare. Use one RFQ format: project context, drawings or sizes, opening type, glass target, color, hardware, screen, packing, delivery term and questions to answer.
Then compare the replies line by line. The better supplier usually makes assumptions clear, asks about missing details and separates optional items instead of hiding everything inside one total number.
Packing method, trade term, destination and unloading conditions need to be part of the RFQ comparison.
Let YULUX review your drawings before pricing.
Send us your window schedule, floor plans or photos. We review opening sizes, system direction, glass, hardware, finish and packing scope before quoting.