Every door manufacturer receives the same kinds of messages every week: “How much is your door?” — and nothing else. The reply is always a set of questions: what type, what size, what quantity, where is it going? A complete first inquiry skips that whole round-trip and gets you a usable quotation in days instead of weeks.
Here is what to prepare before you write — whether by email, WhatsApp, or a website form.
1. The eight essentials
| # | Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Door type & series | Entrance / security / fire-rated / project / villa gate change everything downstream |
| 2 | Quantity | Per-type quantities drive pricing and MOQ discussion |
| 3 | Size list or drawings | Opening sizes with frame convention (see below) |
| 4 | Target market / country | Standards, lock compatibility, and documentation differ by market |
| 5 | Fire rating (if any) | Rating + the standard your market references |
| 6 | Finish | RAL color, wood-grain, or “factory standard” |
| 7 | Hardware | Lock type, hinges, handles — or “recommend for my market” |
| 8 | Destination port | Affects packaging, Incoterms, and freight quotation |
2. The details that prevent the biggest misunderstandings
- Size convention. State whether your dimension is the opening size, or the door leaf size, or frame outer size. A few centimeters of confusion can produce doors that do not fit — and steel doors cannot be stretched.
- Photos or drawings. A picture of the site, the existing frame, or a reference door tells the factory more than three paragraphs.
- Project type. Residential villa, apartment building, hospital, school, or commercial tower — project context changes the recommended product line.
- Your role. Are you an importer/distributor (repeat orders, own brand?) or an end buyer? This changes how the manufacturer should quote and support you.
3. Add-ons that make you a “good buyer”
- Expected timeline (target delivery month).
- Whether you need OEM branding (logo, packaging, manuals).
- Whether samples or test reports are required for your market.
- If you have a target budget range, say so — it saves both sides time.
4. Common mistakes that slow everything down
- Asking only “price” without specifications — no manufacturer can quote a steel door without knowing type, size, and quantity.
- Not stating the target country — documentation and compliance differ enormously (see our separate fire-door compliance guide).
- Sending a PDF with no editable size list and no leaf/frame convention.
- Assuming every manufacturer’s “standard door” is the same — confirm what the quoted price includes: leaf only, or leaf + frame + hardware?
5. How to read the quotation you receive
A professional quotation should tell you, at minimum:
- Incoterms — is the price EXW (ex-works), FOB (at port), or CIF? These differ by thousands of dollars on a container.
- MOQ — minimum order quantity per size or per model.
- Lead time — production time and shipping time separately.
- Packaging — how doors are packed for sea freight (this decides damage rates in transit).
- Payment terms — typical arrangements (e.g., T/T deposit + balance before shipment) and what protects both parties.
- What is excluded — installation, local freight, customs, and sometimes hinges/locks if not specified.
If anything is missing, ask before you commit — a good manufacturer expects these questions.
Send your first inquiry now
JinHong Doors answers specification questions honestly, including what we cannot supply or certify for your market. Send us your door types, quantities, sizes, and destination — we will come back with a clear quotation and the documentation list you need for import.
Contact JinHong Doors — WhatsApp: wa.me/8618501250572 · email: info@jinhongdoor.com · inquiry form: https://www.jinhongdoor.com/contact-us/
