When it comes to security, windows are the first line of defense for every household. Windows can also serve as a way to enrich the interior and exterior appearance of the home. You will find most proprietors enjoy being actively involved in their home transformation, whether in renovation or actual construction. Window installation is very rewarding when done right as return on investment is immediate. Nonetheless, the actual process of looking for the perfect window replacement company can, at times, be very time consuming and tricky. These problems may arise as a result of the home owner’s oversight or lack of knowledge, and other times the window company simply is to blame, whether deliberately or not. Let’s delve into five common mistakes some of these companies make and what signs to watch out for to avoid getting scammed.
The Sales People Are Much Better Than the Installers
Salespeople have become extremely good, maybe even too good at their jobs. Some are even borderline ruthless if we’re honest. You will realize that this is especially true with companies that intentionally look to take advantage of innocent, unknowing customers. In particular, large companies tend to put more financial focus on the sales and marketing department of their business. This department will have some of the best salespeople who know precisely what to say and when to say it. Before you fall prey to their tactics, do your research.
Research can be done by looking up their online reviews from previous customers or merely checking online for other customers’ reviews about a particular company you are interested in for the installation. Pay particular attention to the negative reviews. Are there more of these than the positive ones? If that’s the case, then steer clear by all means necessary. Companies with too many bad reviews often have sub-standard products, poor installation services, or both. Salespeople are more likely to be better at their job, i.e., convincing you to replace your windows with their company, than an installer would be at their job, installing your windows perfectly. This exceptional performance is because salespeople are often paid on a commission basis. Therefore, any sale secured directly results in a higher paycheck for them.
Installers, on the other hand, don’t have a clear-cut path. They may have a lot working against them. They may be under a contract that stipulates a standard figure of payment regardless of the time they spend completing the job. In such cases, the installer is more concerned about completing as many projects as possible rather than the quality of the work done. In instances where the installer’s contract with the window company does not offer a warranty for the services provided, the handymen will have nothing to lose by delivering poor service during installation. It is not entirely unheard of to find installers doing a shoddy job and being absolutely unapologetic about it.
Many companies hide behind the fine print of a contract to evade blame for poor workmanship. In a bid to reap higher profits, some window companies go as far as hiring incompetent installers who charge bare minimum for their services. These handymen end up doing a very shoddy job. Whether the window itself was of good quality or not is irrelevant, the poor installation renders it almost useless.
The Product Isn’t as High Quality as It Seems
For an untrained eye, it is a tall order to differentiate high-quality windows from lower-quality products. It all just looks like glass. This uncertainty leaves the customer very susceptible to any tricks that could be up the salesperson’s sleeves. Going in for a window quote appointment, you might see a good window sample that costs a lot more than what your given quote expresses, or you may find a very low-quality window that is selling at an exorbitant price.
Regardless, the appointment’s whole point is to trick you into believing you are getting a great deal that you cannot get elsewhere. On the day of installation, the handymen will install a substandard window for you whether you paid a premium or not. By the time most clients realize this, the company vanishes into thin air and covers their backs in the contract, leaving the owner to suffer the cost of replacement or repair once again.
When a company sells inexpensive windows, they ensure operational costs are kept at an all-time low. However, this often translates into substandard installation since the installers are often either unqualified or underpaid. Besides, the beneficiaries of such deals are usually salesmen and project consultants who receive a percentage of the client’s total sum as opposed to the actual cost of the product. These incentives keep the vicious cycle going.
As a buyer, you should always remember that when the price is too good to be true, the chances of getting sub-standard products are very high. Besides, cheap is ultimately still expensive. Installing windows with Energy Star ratings is an excellent way to steer clear of greedy salespeople.
These windows come with a labeled specific model type, manufacturer name, and the window’s performance presented in precise numbers. Having all this information readily available makes it easy to certify its quality.
The Warranty Is Very Limited
Warranties are guarantees presented in writing to consumers by manufacturers. These documents entitle clients to free repair or replacement services on the purchased product within a specified period. Most window replacement companies offer warranties on their products. However, the terms and conditions differ so much that it would be a disservice to yourself not to do diligent research before getting into a contract with any supplier. Being one of the best window replacement companies San Diego has ever known, US Window & Door offers a clear warranty with no hidden “gotchas” and small print.
More than half of the window companies today offer warranties that only cover their products if they are defective. Only reputable ones offer coverage for defects due to poor craftsmanship during installation. Such companies stand by their products and their labor as well, which is a good sign for the consumer. A window is only as good as its installation result. Thus, a company that invests in qualified installers is often a trustworthy one. This warranty offers peace of mind to clients as it leaves them free from all worries around window installation. The handymen also strive to do a superb job because the cost of reinstallation for any installation defects solely lies on them.
Within the fine print of a contract is where you can begin to uncover the lies of salespeople. Some companies hide behind the façade of a lifetime and transferrable warranties. What they fail to mention, however, is that the period of transfer is limited. Once the period elapses, the warranty does not cover product transfers. On the flip side of the coin, some companies provide valid lifetime transferrable warranties, with no limit on when the transfer can happen. The catch is that the transfer should only occur once for the warranty to be valid. Multiple reassignments may render the warranty void. Other covers are pro-rated, meaning they are only valid for about 5 to 10 years from the date of ownership.
When it comes to special windows, most companies are very particular about where you position them in your home for the warranty to be valid. The most common one is that if a bay window, for instance, is not roofed, then the warranty is void since such windows aren’t designed to be waterproof. If you are dealing with a good company, they should tell you this beforehand and not when you are seeking remuneration.
Another common loophole in warranties is knowing whether it applies to the whole window or parts of it. If the answer is the latter, then finding out how long this warranty will last is a decent place to start. Limitations on the warranty can also be brought upon by the type of your residence. You will notice a difference in duration and cost when it comes to single-dwelling units and multi-dwelling ones. Having this information prior is crucial as you can make a better-informed decision once you are aware of the consequences.
They Ask for Full Payment Upfront
If you have never taken products on credit from a retailer who doesn’t know you, you definitely should not pay any installer before they complete their services. This is especially true in cases where the agreement is verbal, and there is no signed contract as of yet. The process of tracking down an installer who has gone missing with your money is unsought of and you may end up tediously spending more into these efforts. If you eventually want to sue, lawyer charges can scale expenses even higher. The common saying that “he who has the money is in control” is what you should emulate in all your business dealings. You never want the installer to have full control – the project is yours, not theirs.
Installers who insist on full payment upfront could either be in debt that they are trying to clear out or are aware that their services aren’t up to par. Hence why they would want to get away with your money without completing your project. In extreme cases, they could even be unqualified individuals looking to scam you and make quick money. Once you pay them, you definitely shall not hear from them again. They would have everything to gain and nothing to lose from the transaction. As a good practice, you should always ensure your payments match the contractor’s quantity of work.
This means that if the contractor has completed 50% of the project, then it is prudent to pay them 50% of the total sum with the other half paid upon completion. Agreements in the form of signed contracts is also a rule of thumb to observe to avoid being caught up in sticky situations with any contractor.
Price Isn’t What Is Advertised
The price difference in the quotation a customer gets from the window installation company compared to the actual amount paid is a result of several preventable factors. Non-local companies often do not disclose the extra charges that one automatically incurs after purchasing their products. Such charges may come from exchange rates, shipping costs, and labor. Most companies hide these charges so that their prices seem competitively lower than those of local suppliers for the intention that they become the preferred company.
Another common reason for massive price differences is the use of subcontracted installers in the installation process. Companies that do not have their own installers rarely incur the cost of hiring the labor themselves. Instead, they push it all onto the clients to bear. The quotation given by such companies is often just for purchasing the products and materials needed. Although the quote may include transportation fees, installation fees are usually not covered. Your discovery is likely to happen only after you have purchased the goods, and a reversal is almost impossible.
Final Thoughts
The most important thing to remember when replacing any product, not just windows, is that prior research will save you a lot of time and money when you eventually purchase your product of choice. At US Window & Door, our Milgard windows offer supreme quality that’s second to none in the market. Our warranty, combined with a Milgard warranty, provides our customers with peace of mind for decades after the installation. Whether you’re remodeling or building your dream home from scratch, get in touch with us today to get a quote, and see what we can do for you.
The preference for the type of installation also sets apart the price difference. Full frame window installation involves the replacement of an entire window with a new one. This may also lead to additional purchases of parts and materials that accompany the new window. Pocket installation is where a new window is slid into an existing older frame. This method is cost-effective and time-efficient. Companies using this type of installation to give quotations do so to make the overall product seemingly more affordable. Once the payment has gone through, you will see changes in the installation price, and sometimes the difference is glaringly significant.
.jpg)