Overview
Aluminium installs are part fabrication, part install, and the powder coat is the finish that wins the work
Aluminium installation covers a wide range of products that share a material: windows, doors, shopfronts, bifold doors, sliding patio doors, balustrades, curtain walling. The fabrication is usually off-site (a workshop with a saw, a punch, and an assembly bench), and the install is on-site with two or three people lifting the finished units into place. The customer comparing aluminium quotes is often choosing between a thermally broken profile and a non-thermally-broken one without realising the difference (one of which condensates in winter), and a powder coat colour and finish that can vary in quality and warranty. A flat 'aluminium windows, $6,400' quote doesn't help the customer compare.
QuoteGenio gives aluminium installers a quoting shape that surfaces the spec. Site measure as the first line, units by type, size, and profile (thermally broken or not, the system brand like Schueco or Reynaers), glass spec, powder coat colour and finish with the warranty period named, hardware (handles, hinges, locks), install labour, sealing and trim, and disposal of any existing units. Send via WhatsApp or email to the customer with drawings or renders, take a deposit on the fabrication order, raise progress invoices through manufacture and install, and the final invoice closes with the warranty cards and any certifications attached.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for every type of aluminium fabrication and installation business.
The problem
The quoting headaches every aluminium installer knows
Aluminium quoting has more variables than most trades: profile system, glass spec, opening type, colour, hardware. Pricing all of that on a spreadsheet eats your evenings.
System pricing takes hours
Looking up profile prices, glass build-ups, hardware costs and powder-coat surcharges turns every quote into an evening job.
Spec confusion costs jobs
If your quote says 'aluminium window' but the competitor specifies '38mm thermally broken with 24mm IGU', the client picks the clearer one.
Slow quotes lose builders
Builders need quotes the same day to stay on programme. If yours takes a week the order goes to the fabricator who replies in two hours.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes it simple
A workflow built around how aluminium installers actually price: by unit, by m squared, by section. All from your phone, all professional, all tracked.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for aluminium pricing
Add lines by unit, by m squared, by linear metre. System, glass, hardware, powder-coat and labour all on their own lines.
Works from your phone
Measure on-site, quote, send. No trip back to the office, no spreadsheet, no late-night admin.
Quote in under 2 minutes
A structured template gets you from on-site measure to sent quote before the builder hits the next sub-contractor.
Professional every time
Your logo, your details, the full system spec. Every quote looks like it came from a serious fabricator, not a backyard installer.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how aluminium installers actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Aluminium Installers choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Aluminium Installers build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Aluminium Installers job pricing
A rough guide to what aluminium installers charge for common jobs. Pricing varies by system (38mm, 50mm, thermally broken), glass spec, colour and opening type. Use these as a sanity check when building your own rate card, not as fixed numbers.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Site measure and quote (residential) | R1,570 - R3,636 |
| Side-hung casement window (per m squared, supply & fit) | R6,280 - R11,899 |
| Sliding window (per m squared) | R6,941 - R14,048 |
| Sliding patio door 2-panel (per linear metre opening) | R15,701 - R29,749 |
| Stack-back patio door 4-panel (per linear metre opening) | R39,665 - R74,372 |
| Bronze powder-coat surcharge | R1,240 - R2,479 per m squared |
| Thermally broken upgrade | R2,975 - R6,280 per m squared |
Pricing converted from USD to ZAR at indicative rates. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
Aluminium installers typically charge R1,570 to R3,636 for a site measure on residential work and credit it back when the order is placed. For commercial measures with multiple openings, charge by the hour and bill regardless. List the measure as its own line so builders see it as a real cost, not free admin.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use per m squared pricing for windows because that is how your supplier prices the system. Use per linear metre for sliders and stack doors because the running track length is the cost driver. Use fixed pricing for full house packages where the spec is locked. Use hourly for site measures and remedial work.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
Here is what a clean, itemised aluminium quote looks like. Each cost is visible: system, glass, finish, hardware and labour. Builders accept clear quotes faster because they can compare apples to apples with the next fabricator.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Sliding stack-back door, 4-panel, residential
Site measure and shop drawing
50mm thermally broken stack-back system (3.6m x 2.4m opening)
IGU 6-12-6 Low-E argon (8.6 m squared)
Charcoal powder-coat surcharge
Premium roller hardware and 3-point lock
Labour (delivery, install, glaze, commission)
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site measure and shop drawing | 1 | R2,975 | R2,975 |
| 50mm thermally broken stack-back system (3.6m x 2.4m opening) | 1 | R138,827 | R138,827 |
| IGU 6-12-6 Low-E argon (8.6 m squared) | 8.6 | R6,941 / m squared | R59,696 |
| Charcoal powder-coat surcharge | 8.6 | R1,570 / m squared | R13,503 |
| Premium roller hardware and 3-point lock | 1 | R9,586 | R9,586 |
| Labour (delivery, install, glaze, commission) | 14 | R1,570 / hr | R21,981 |
| Subtotal | R246,566 | ||
| Tax (10%) | R24,657 | ||
| Total incl. tax | R271,223 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Site measure, shop drawings, powder-coat surcharge for non-standard colours, premium hardware upgrades, weathersealing, structural openings remedial work, the second trip for snagging, and disposal of old timber or steel frames. Build them into your standard template and they stop being margin leaks.
Peer snapshot
How Aluminium Installers actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Aluminium Installers on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
33
Quotes sent per month
65%
Average quote acceptance
5 min
Median time to send quote
R271,223
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
Start quoting Aluminium Installer jobs like this, free
Build your first quote in under 2 minutes. No credit card, no setup fee, no contract.
Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
We talk to a lot of aluminium installers. The same spec and pricing traps come up again and again. Fix these and you will protect your margin and stop builders shopping you on the wrong system.
Mistake: Quoting 'aluminium window' without the system
Better: Always state the system spec: 38mm standard, 50mm thermally broken, system brand. The right spec protects your price and stops clients comparing you to a cheaper, lighter system.
Mistake: Forgetting the powder-coat surcharge
Better: White and natural anodised are usually base price. Charcoal, bronze and custom RAL colours carry a 15 to 30 percent surcharge. Add the surcharge as a clear line so it never gets absorbed.
Mistake: Bundling glass into the system price
Better: Glass should be its own line at a per m squared rate. It lets the client choose laminated or Low-E upgrades and protects you when IGU prices move between quote and order.
Mistake: No allowance for site remedial work
Better: Aluminium needs square, plumb openings. Add a 'remedial allowance' line (often 5 to 10 percent of system value) for trimming, packing and re-rendering openings the brickie left out of true.
Mistake: Quoting before structural opening is finished
Better: Aluminium openings need exact sizes. Quote 'subject to final on-site measure' if the brickwork is incomplete and re-issue once the opening is ready. Build that clause into your standard terms.
Mistake: No deposit on custom orders
Better: Custom aluminium is non-refundable once cut. Take 50 to 70 percent deposit before placing the factory order and state it on the quote so the client agrees when they accept.
Mistake: Open-ended quote validity
Better: Aluminium billet pricing moves with energy and the rand. Set a 14 or 30 day validity so you can re-price if a custom system sits unaccepted for weeks.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote aluminium installation jobs
Site measure every opening carefully before you price a system. Check whether the brickwork is square and plumb (openings rarely are) and measure width and height at three points. Confirm the aluminium system with the builder or client at measure stage: 38 mm standard casement, 50 mm thermally broken, a stack-back slider, a curtain wall section. Note the glass spec (IGU 4-12-4 Low-E argon, 6-12-6, laminated safety), the powder-coat colour, and the hardware grade. Photograph access for delivery and installation, and note whether the opening is complete or the brickie has left it out of true. These observations decide the system, the remedial allowance, and the labour hours.
Itemise by the way the supplier prices you. Line items for site measure and shop drawing, aluminium system per unit or per linear metre by profile brand and system number (50 mm thermally broken stack-back, not 'aluminium'), IGU per m squared with full build-up written (IGU 6-12-6 Low-E argon), powder-coat surcharge per m squared for non-standard colours (charcoal, bronze, RAL), premium hardware (3-point lock, roller system, multi-point closer), labour split for delivery, install, glaze and commission, and a 5 to 10 percent remedial allowance for trimming and packing out-of-square openings. State 'subject to final on-site measure' when the structural opening is incomplete so you can re-issue once it is ready.
Set 14 to 30 day validity because aluminium billet pricing and IGU costs move with energy and the rand. Take 50 to 70 percent deposit before placing the factory order because custom aluminium is non-returnable once cut. State the deposit terms in writing on the quote so the client agrees at acceptance, with the balance due on completion or commissioning. Note the factory lead time on the quote (commonly 3 to 6 weeks for custom systems) so the builder can sequence trades. On thermally broken upgrades, quote the base system first and add the upgrade as a separate per m squared line so the client sees the energy-efficiency premium and chooses.
Send the quote via WhatsApp or email before the builder hits the next sub-contractor. Builders need quotes same-day to stay on programme, so build on your phone at the measure, share the branded PDF link instantly, and copy the QS and architect where they are specified. Follow up within 24 hours on builder enquiries and 3 days on residential. When the architect changes spec mid-project (add laminated glass to a balustrade, upgrade hardware, add a motorised stack-back), send a variation quote covering just the delta so the main deposit schedule still holds and the factory order can proceed.
FAQ
Common questions from aluminium installers
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. Mix any units on the same quote: per m squared, per linear metre, per unit, per hour. The PDF shows each line clearly.
Yes. Once your quote is ready, share it as a link via WhatsApp. Your client gets a professional branded document instantly.
Each line item has its own description, quantity, and price. List the aluminium system, the IGU spec, the powder-coat finish and the hardware on separate lines so nothing is hidden.
Yes. Every quote has a unique public link. Your client can open it on their phone and accept it online. No signup required.
Yes. Convert any accepted quote into an invoice with one click. All line items carry over, so there is no double entry.
Yes. The free plan gives you 5 quotes and 2 invoices per month with no credit card required. Upgrade to Premium for unlimited quotes, invoices, statements, and reports.
Yes, always. Custom aluminium is cut to size at the factory and is non-returnable. Take 50 to 70 percent deposit before placing the order with the supplier and state the deposit terms on the quote so the client agrees in writing when they accept it. The remaining balance is due on completion or commissioning.
Quote the standard system as the base price, then add a separate 'thermally broken upgrade' line at R2,975 to R6,280 per m squared. This lets the client see the energy-efficiency premium and choose. It also protects you if they later compare to a fabricator who quoted only the cheaper non-thermal system.
Yes. Glass pricing moves independently of aluminium pricing and the client may want to upgrade to laminated or Low-E. Listing the IGU as its own per m squared line lets you re-price the glass without re-quoting the system, and lets the client choose options without confusion.
Aluminium needs square, plumb openings to seal properly. Inspect the opening at site measure stage and quote a remedial allowance line (typically 5 to 10 percent of system value) for trimming, packing and re-rendering. State 'subject to final on-site measure once opening is complete' if the brickwork is unfinished, and re-issue the quote once you can take true sizes.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
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Guides
Guides for Aluminium Installers
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
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