Name: VIVA Railings
Price range: $

How to Align Scope, Avoid Rework, and Keep Your Jobsite Moving

When railings go wrong, they usually go wrong early—you just don’t notice until the very end.

That’s why we built our GC Best Practices program: to help General Contractors streamline railing scope from pre-bid to punchlist. With hundreds of railing installations across commercial, education, healthcare, and hospitality projects, we’ve seen exactly where things get off track—and how to prevent them.

Here are the core takeaways from our course-style presentation designed for GCs, PMs, supers, and estimators.

A real-time strategy session tailored to how you build.

Whether you’re managing precon, estimating, or install closeout,
this will help your team move faster and close smoother.

BOOK A PRESENTATION WITH OUR BDM IN YOUR AREA

Here are the core takeaways from our course-style presentation designed for GCs, PMs, supers, and estimators.

Segment 1: Preconstruction — Where the Success Really Starts

1. Engage Early with a Pre-Bid Scope Review

Even a 15–30 minute call before bid day can clarify mounting types, system compatibility, and code compliance. This avoids incorrect takeoffs, missed alternates, and scope that doesn’t match site conditions.

2. Understand the Proposal — It’s Not Just a Price

Our proposals are detailed for a reason: they include base scope, voluntary alternates, finish assumptions, and a full list of exclusions ("By Others"). Reading these carefully prevents scope gaps and costly RFIs later.

3. Don’t Skip the Post-Bid Alignment

Awarded scope should match what was bid—but often it doesn’t. A quick post-bid meeting ensures you’re clear on delegated design responsibilities, alternates, and what VIVA is providing (vs. what’s assumed).

4. Know the Lead Times

Shop Drawings: 3–4 weeks
Fabrication: 4–16 weeks depending on system/finish
Install: ~100 ft/week
These need to be built into your master schedule to avoid rush orders and phasing conflicts.

5. Coordinate Trades Upfront

Railing install is affected by concrete, steel, glazing, waterproofing, and flooring. GCs that involve VIVA early in sequencing avoid rework and site delays.

Segment 2: Field Operations — From FM to Punchlist

6. Field Measurement Readiness is Non-Negotiable

Railing fabrication starts after FM. Substrates must be 100% complete and accessible. Delays here ripple through drawing submittals, fabrication, and delivery.

7. Install Kickoff = Clean Execution

We hold structured pre-install meetings to align on access, safety (tie-offs, fire watch), laydown space, temp rail removal, and sequencing. GCs who participate actively see faster and cleaner installs.

8. What to Expect During Install

VIVA assigns a lead installer as a single point of contact. Our crews work with pre-approved drawings and coordinate in real time with supers. We don’t cut glass on site—and we don’t leave with 95% completion.

9. Closeout with Confidence

Final walks, punchlist sign-off, warranty documentation, and finish care are part of our process. We’re structured to close clean, not linger through turnover delays.

The Top 5 GC Best Practices (Quick Recap)

Review the full proposal – Understand what’s included and excluded.
Loop us in pre-bid – Early alignment prevents major coordination issues.
Get site ready for FM – No substrate = no drawings.
Coordinate trades early – Especially concrete, steel, tile, and waterproofing.

Use the install kickoff – This one meeting can prevent days of rework.

Ready to Get Ahead of Railing Issues?

Our team is happy to lead a GC Best Practices session tailored to your team or a specific project.

Precon Focus
Field Install Focus
Custom Job Walkthroughs

Schedule a session now »
Explore Specs, CAD Details & Mounting Types »

VIVA Railings is your turnkey partner from design to closeout. Let’s make railing scope the easiest part of your next job.

GC Best Practices for a Seamless Railing Scope with VIVA Railings