Owner Self-Purchase Items

Lighting Guide (What to Know Before Buying From Your Own Supplier)

We’re happy to support owners who wish to self-purchase lighting. However, when items are not sourced from our recommended suppliers, compatibility, coordination, and warranty responsibility sits with the owner, and it may impact timeline and cost. This guide sets clear expectations so the renovation stays smooth and dispute-free.

1) Important Clarification: Lighting Supply Is Not Included Unless Stated

Unless clearly stated in your quotation:

  • Light fittings (downlights / track lights / pendants / wall lights) are not included
  • LED strips, LED drivers, and aluminium LED profiles are not included
  • Electrical works typically cover wiring points and installation, not the supply of lighting products

Why this matters: To align expectations & prevent assuming lighting (especially LED strip + profile) is included by default. It is only included if explicitly quoted.

2) Two Options: Use Our Recommended Supplier vs Owner Self-Purchase

Option A — Purchase via Our Recommended Supplier (Smoothest Option)

When lighting is purchased through our recommended suppliers, we can manage the full flow, including:

  • Delivery coordination and timing
  • On-site checking (quantity, model, condition)
  • Labelling and sorting by room/area for installation
  • Discussion and alignment on light type, driver requirements, and quantities
  • Handling wrong/short deliveries (exchange / re-delivery / follow-ups)
  • Post-installation warranty coordination with supplier (where applicable)

Result: Faster installation, fewer site disruptions, clearer accountability.

Option B — Owner Self-Purchase (Allowed, With Conditions)

If you choose to self-purchase, we can install based on what is provided, but:

  • Owner is responsible for correct selection, completeness, and compatibility
  • Owner manages supplier mistakes and warranty claims
  • Additional coordination caused by wrong/short/missing items may lead to additional charges and rescheduling

3) Owner Responsibilities for Self-Purchase Lighting

To proceed with owner-supplied lighting, the owner must provide (before loose wiring works):

  • Final product list (model numbers + spec sheets)
  • Quantity and locations (room-by-room)
  • Installation type (recessed / surface / track / pendant / wall light)
  • Driver details (if applicable)
  • Dimming / smart control details (if applicable)
  • Delivery confirmation: all items must arrive before the installation window

Why this matters: Lighting affects wiring points, driver placement, ceiling access, and sequencing with carpentry/false ceiling works.

4) Delivery & Receiving Policy (Owner Self-Purchase)

✅ Owner arranges delivery and ensures items are ready for installation.
❌ By Design does not receive, store, sort, or manage owner-purchased lighting deliveries.

Why this matters: Receiving and sorting third-party deliveries creates avoidable delays and disputes (missing items, wrong models, damaged units) that are outside renovation scope.

5) Labelling Requirement (Mandatory for Owner Self-Purchase)

Please instruct your seller to label items clearly by:

  • Room/area (e.g., Living / Kitchen / MBR)
  • Type (e.g., Downlight / Pendant / LED strip)
  • Quantity per area
  • Driver pairing (if applicable)

If items arrive unlabelled, installation may be delayed and/or additional coordination time may be chargeable.

Example: Multiple identical boxes arrive with no room labels → extra time is spent sorting and confirming, increasing error risk.

6) Compatibility Guidelines (Common Issues)

Owner-supplied lighting must be compatible with site conditions and design intent, including:

  • Voltage and driver matching (230V vs 12V/24V systems)
  • Dimming compatibility (TRIAC / 0–10V / DALI / smart systems)
  • Cut-out size, depth clearance, and mounting method
  • IP rating requirements for wet areas (bathroom/balcony)

Example: A rimless/plaster-in downlight requires different finishing work compared to a standard downlight.

7) Special Note: Rimless / Plaster-In Lights Must Be Declared Early

If the owner purchases rimless or plaster-in lighting, please inform us early. These systems may require:

  • Additional plastering/finishing work
  • Patching and repainting around the light border
  • Additional coordination and time

These works are not included unless stated, and may be chargeable.

Why this matters: Rimless systems change the finishing scope and work sequence.

8) Short / Wrong / Missing Items: Re-Trip Charges Apply

If any item is:

  • short in quantity
  • wrong model/spec
  • missing accessories (drivers, brackets, connectors)
  • damaged or defective

and this results in additional site visits, re-scheduling, partial installation, or return trips, then re-trip charges and additional labour charges will apply.

Examples

  • Supplier sends 18 pieces instead of 24 → partial install → second visit needed after balance arrives
  • Driver/accessories missing → installation cannot be completed → return trip required

Why this matters: Site scheduling is planned around complete materials. Extra trips incur real manpower and coordination cost.

9) Re-Installation Due to Supplier Error or Replacement Request (Chargeable)

If the wrong item is supplied (or the owner later replaces items) and requests:

  • removal and re-installation
  • re-alignment
  • replacement works
  • additional testing/troubleshooting beyond basic checks

this will be treated as a Variation Order (VO) and charged accordingly.

Example: Surface-mounted lights were delivered and installed; later the correct recessed model arrives and owner requests change → reinstall is chargeable.

10) Counting Quantities (LED / Drivers / Shopping List) — Scope Boundary

We will provide drawings and planning information based on the agreed design. However, the following are not included unless specifically quoted as an add-on service:

  • Counting exact quantities for owner purchase (especially LED strip runs and driver sizing)
  • Verifying the supplier’s BOM (bill of materials)
  • Matching drivers to LED strip wattage/length and confirming compatibility

If you would like us to do this, we can offer it as a paid add-on, as it is effectively procurement/QA support.

Why this matters: Once By Design is responsible for third-party procurement accuracy, disputes increase significantly if the supplier delivers wrong/short items.

Owner Self-Purchase: LED Profile + LED Strip (Additional Requirements)

11) If You Self-Purchase LED Profile, We Need the Following (Mandatory)

LED profile systems often require preparation before installation. If the owner self-purchases aluminium profile / diffuser / end caps / LED strip (and drivers), please note:

A) Detailed Drawing (Required)

Provide a clear drawing indicating:

  • Length for each location
  • Joint locations (if any)
  • End details (end cap / return / corner)
  • Driver location and access plan (if applicable)

B) Physical Sample (Required)

Provide a sample set for confirmation (profile + diffuser, and the intended LED strip), so we can verify fit and installation method.

C) Deliver to Our Factory Address (Required)

All LED profile-related items must be sent to our factory address (we will provide the address), including:

  • Aluminium profiles
  • Diffusers
  • End caps / clips / accessories
  • LED strips (and drivers if applicable)

Why this is required: We need to prepare, match, and confirm the system as a complete set before installation. Split deliveries, missing parts, or late deliveries can delay site works and cause additional trips.

12) Warranty Clarification

  • Product warranty: between the owner and the owner’s supplier/manufacturer
  • Installation workmanship warranty: By Design covers installation-related issues only (e.g., mounting, wiring connection faults)

Performance issues (e.g., flicker, buzzing, dimming instability, smart pairing problems) are commonly related to product/driver/dimmer compatibility and should be addressed with the supplier.

 

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