50% of Homeowners Wouldn’t Recommend their Home Improvement Contractor

Research energy saving window manufacturers, dealers and installers before choosing a window replacement company

Every home improvement project has the potential to be a risky proposition for homeowners.  Just contemplating a project gets you thinking about: 

•    How do I know how to choose the right contractor?
•    Will I be happy with the finished product?
•    Will the change actually cut my energy costs? 

The questions can seem overwhelming.  And the stats are disheartening. Drew Barto of Energy Swing Windows in Murrysville, PA, says that “more than half the people in a national survey said that they would not recommend, or use, the contractor they had do their work.” He adds, “In Pennsylvania, which doesn’t have a strong contractor certification program, the number of dissatisfied homeowners is likely closer to 70%.” 

Installing energy saving replacement windows and doors are examples of potentially risky projects. They’re typically one-time purchases that involve a large investment and affect the everyday comfort of your home. 
 
Why are so many homeowners unhappy with their final home improvement product?  Barto says, “Most homeowners don’t know what they don’t know about replacing their windows and doors.” He says some contractors take advantage of the timing unique to windows and doors projects  and use it to make a quick sale. Unfortunately, the quality of the window replacement and installation can’t be assessed until the project is completed. Sadly, that’s often too late to change contractors. “Homeowners typically don’t understand how to evaluate value and tend to be unhappy with the experience and the results.” 

Barto says his company spends a lot of time trying to fully understand a homeowner’s problems and concerns, then educates them to make sure they understand the best solutions for solving their specific problem. ”Our goal to do the right thing is ingrained in every interaction we have with our clients and we work hard to deliver on that commitment, Barto says. He attributes this customer service attitude to helping his company win the 2008 Better Business Bureau’s Torch award for Business Ethics. 

One of the contest’s judges, Dr. Jim Weber, Professor of Business Ethics and Management at Duquesne University, said ”The leadership at Energy Swing Windows understands that customers are important as people, not merely a means to the end of profitability.” 

Here are Barto’s tips to find a contractor you will be comfortable recommending and raving about. 

8 Ways To Get the Most Energy Efficient Replacement Windows Money Can Buy

Barto gives solid and practical advice for any homeowner looking to improve their home.  Before you contact any contractor to install energy efficient replacement windows, you need to: 

1. Have a rough idea of the work you would like done.  Sketches and rough designs are fine.
2. Educate yourself about the product(s) involved.  Find out about Energy Star ratings, what makes a window or door energy efficient.  More importantly, check out the company you are considering to do the work.
3. Consider the overall value of your project. Think of this project as an investment in your home. All good investments take long-term value into account.  Don’t let price be the determining factor. Remember that if a price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
4. Determine who is responsible for each aspect of your installation and who supports the warranty in each of those areas. Keep in mind you could have multiple companies involved without even being aware of it.
5. Make sure all the people who will be doing the work are properly covered by liability and workman’s compensation insurance. This is how you protect your home and your assets.
6. Make sure that everything you are told verbally is detailed in writing.
7. Talk with other people who recently had work done by the company.  Visit their homes to inspect the work, if possible.
8. Don’t allow high pressure sales tactics to force you into making a quick decision.  Beware of “special deals” that are only good for that day.

Cutting Energy Costs with Energy Efficient Windows

Energy efficient doors and windows put money back in your pocket through utility savings.  Properly manufactured energy efficient windows should also require less material for maintenance.  Letting in natural light and heat through the windows and doors helps to heat and light your home and low maintenance materials last a lifetime. 

Insulated siding products also cut energy losses through a home’s wall while providing essentially a maintenance-free exterior surface. 

Green building products allow home improvements to perform better and last longer, stretching out the time that they will need to be replaced, ultimately saving energy throughout the manufacturing cycle. For example, efficient ventilation products that reduce energy losses through a home’s ceiling enable the shingles of a new roof to last longer. 

So when contemplating home improvement projects, look for quality workmanship, solid warranties, and a reliable reputation before choosing a window replacement contractor.

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