Why Might Low-Price GRC Quotations Pose Risks?

In the GRC procurement process, excessively low prices often conceal quality hazards and potential risks. As Qinglong Group, with 28 years of deep expertise in the GRC field, we have witnessed too many cases of project failures caused by blindly pursuing low prices. Low-price GRC quotations usually mean downgraded raw materials, simplified processes, and reduced services. These seemingly cost-saving measures may actually bring greater long-term losses to the project.

The most direct risk of low-price GRC lies in cutting corners on material formulations. Quality GRC requires cement of grade 42.5 or above, alkali-resistant glass fibre with a zirconia content of no less than 16%, and precisely graded aggregates, whereas low-price products often use ordinary cement, medium-alkali fibres, or even clay crucible fibres. Qinglong Group's testing data show that GRC panels using substandard fibres retain less than 60% of their strength after one year in accelerated aging tests, far below the standard of over 90% for quality GRC. In a project in Hainan, we took over a repair job in which inferior GRC had caused extensive cracking, and the owner's final repair cost was more than three times the initial quotation.

Simplified production processes are another major hazard of low-price GRC. Reputable manufacturers use robotic spraying processes to ensure uniform three-dimensional random distribution of fibres, while low-price products mostly use hand-laid mesh or direct mixing processes. Comparative tests by Qinglong Group found that mechanically spray-formed GRC achieves a flexural strength of over 18MPa, while handmade products usually do not exceed 12MPa. In complex modelling projects such as the Han Show Theatre in Wuhan, the performance gap caused by process differences is even more pronounced.

The absence of a service system is a hidden cost of low-price quotations. Quality manufacturers provide full-process services from detailed design to installation guidance, while low-price suppliers are often only responsible for material supply. In the Shenzhen Pingshan High-tech Zone Comprehensive Service Center project, Qinglong Group's early-stage BIM clash detection avoided 36 on-site construction changes, indirectly saving the owner more than one million yuan. The value of such technical services cannot be reflected in low-price quotations.

Therefore, wise procurement decisions should be based on whole life-cycle cost assessment rather than focusing solely on initial investment. Although quality GRC carries a higher unit price, its service life of over 50 years and lower maintenance costs ultimately deliver true economic benefits.