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Get the Lowest Cost of Ownership

 

Think about what it might cost to do this yourself.  Assume the following scenarios and consider the total difference...make the comparison after reviewing all the steps.

 

Scenario 'A' -- We come to you:

Step 1.    Schedule the appointment.

Step 2.    Spend 60 minutes to 90 minutes in your own home selecting products after seeing samples of how they'll look in the very windows you want them.  Compare options. Discuss alternatives. Get focused, professional advice -- without interruptions, or being put "on-hold".   Place your order.  Schedule your installation.  You're done.

Scenario 'B' -- Travel to the retail store:

STEPS:

  1.     Add this task to your "To Do" list.. 
  2.     Go ahead and precisely measure your windows (do you know how to do so accurately? Are the treatments being installed as inside or outside mounts?  Did you factor in the mullion in the center of any double windows?  Be careful not to forget -- it'll impact both your measurement and the final look!)
  3. Is there enough room for the mounting bracket the manufacturer will send you?  Will it be adjustable with "U" holes, or only exact-mount holes that must have adequate clearance to ensure you won't split the trim/molding?  Be sure to specify this important variable with the clerk when you order.
  4.     Get in your car.  Travel to and from the store -- at least one or two times. 
  5.     First, stop to fill up your gas tank (at $2.80 to $3.90 per gallon).
  6.     Find a parking space (close as possible if it's raining!)  OK, now find the window treatments section. Look around at samples; look for ideas -- probably without any direction or someone to provide you with suggestions -- but be patient,  some part-time clerical help will eventually come over to try and assist.
  7.     Narrow your choices and try to imagine what the products will look like in the softer light of your home vs. the fluorescent light of the store you're visiting.
  8.     Discuss alternatives with the clerk.  Try to pick up some pointers and find out about lower cost options to what you might prefer -- you should be able to get at least three.
  9.     Now, understand -- you will get interrupted (if they're busy when you go, this is very likely since you won't get a full hour of dedicated attention from a clerk; whatever you do, don't go on weekend (or rainy day, if you can help it, 'cause you'll have to add the Step called, "Take A Number" if you do -- everyone else will be there, too!) 
  10.     When they come back from the interruption to see how your choice/decision is progressing, go ahead and ask all those questions you have.  Get some answers.   Maybe all the answers you need on the design concerns you have about whether to do inside or outside mounts, how to work with existing valances (or plans for them later) and wonder what else will work with your preferred choice(s). Ask Away!
  11.      Now, try to get into a dialogue with someone who can help you with those specific concerns.
  12.     Advance to the selection stage of your decision and discuss the product warranty; or skip it if no one knows -- you can always return custom made products to the retail store (or can you??)  What exactly is the warranty?  Make sure you get that explanation; each product type or category is warranted differently; manufacturers stand behind their products differently.  Then ask about the Service Warranty -- there's a difference (this problem goes away with us).
  13.     Now ask for the price. Don't forget to consider your time and effort, and make sure you understand the minimum installation costs of $135.00, plus the per-foot add-on charges. Get explanation of the store's next steps and figure how much more of your time this project will take.
  14.     Now pay 100% of the cost of your order up front.   Get your receipt.
  15.     Check your watch.  How much time has this taken you thus far?  Two hours?  Three? (Note: their may be return trips!)
  16.     Now get in your car and use up more gas to get home.
  17.     Wait for the phone call for their specialist to set up a date to schedule to come out to verify your measurements...you don't want to risk purchasing a custom product you cannot return without professional verification, do you? (Now if you let us measure it for you, we’re responsible for a proper fit!)
  18.     Now schedule and take a half-day off to meet with a 2nd person -- not the clerk you spoke with -- to actually come and do the professional measuring -- you don't think they're going to rely on YOUR measurements, do you?  Would you want them to??  After that visit, in a day or two they'll submit the paperwork to the clerk in the store who will then actually place your order; not on the date you scheduled to go to the store to do so.... these things take time! Plan for it!  
  19.     Wait for the Installer to call you for that 2nd half (or full) day off to get the products installed.
  20.     Schedule the install.  Take that time off: that's right, a 3rd half (or full) day .  Hope they show up within their four-hour committed window -- and with your products, not another customer's.  That happens. Plan on it.
  21.     Hope that there's no damaged or blemished products that need replacing.  One out of three treatments need attention before they can be installed -- possibly even replacement.  How quickly can that be done and rescheduled?   Will you make it in time for that important event you may be planning?
  22. Celebrate.  After a 20+ step process and a lot more than 1 to 2 hours of your time, you're done!*

 

*Note:  If you have decided to install the products yourself, there is much more time and effort involved, not the least of which is the effort involved in just unpacking the products, arranging for, and returning the bad or damaged ones, and trying to read the instructions on how to install the tricky products you may have never done before. Perhaps up high, on a ladder! And don't forget to acquire or have extra parts ready since not everything always comes packed with all you'll need to complete the installation -- or at least leave yourself extra time to run back to the hardware store the day you plan to install -- you'll inevitably need parts they forgot to include. Happens every time; plan on it.     Click here to see Some Common Problems Encountered for the Do-It-Yourselfer.  For DIY'rs, there's even more to know about before undertaking this project.  Or, you could call us and turn it into a Two Step Process.  And you probably will save some money in addition to all the time and effort!