I’m sure you’ve experienced this before; you’re considering replacing windows, the roof, or siding in your home. You arrange for a free consultation with one of many home improvement companies and often, regret that decision because of what you’ve experienced: a short visit by a salesman with teasing “big” discounts and pressure to sign a contract before he/she leaves.
Homeowners should make a decision about replacing their windows, roof, or siding but only after feeling confident and informed about their options, including understanding the differences between those options. We want you to be excited about beautifying your home and increasing its value because we know that it is often a significant financial commitment.
Here are some tips to help you ensure your home consultation is productive:
Everyone in your family involved in the project should take some time to talk about:
- What are you looking for
- What are your goals when it comes to aesthetics or design choices (style, color).
Take ten or fifteen minutes to walk around the house together to get a sense of what you’re looking for.
Remember: a home consultation is about what you want, not what the sales rep wants to sell you. The more information you share with them, the better the outcome.
Home improvement sales reps must come prepared, not to sell but to educate you. This should not be what we call a drive-by estimate where reps aim to be in/out in 10-15 minutes. Don’t fall for such unprofessional tactics.
Sales reps must bring full-size and fully functional operating samples: Windows that you can test, siding samples, and roofing materials. There are many undetected differences between window brands and you should understand what they are and the differences in costs.
Demand a written proposal from the sales representative! Don’t settle for a quickly scribbled note; your contract should be detailed and the rep should review any exceptions (the ‘fine print’) or what is not covered. Avoid and don’t sign any contracts that are short on details.
At a minimum, each contract must include:
- Brand and exact model
- Pricing
- Discounts
- Materials
- Type of insulation
- Incidental not covered like removing/replacing rotted wood that can’t be seen until the work begins.
With four generations and over 103 years of serving thousands of homeowners, we like to remind our customers that “if it’s too good to be true, then it’s too good to be true.”
We realize that you have many choices when it comes to home improvements. We encourage you to make informed decisions and we welcome your calls anytime with a promise of professional advice and unparalleled buying experience. Call 877.OK.MAJOR (877.656.2567) to experience professionalism and integrity.