-1.jpg){kind=logo}
3 Signs You Were Given a Bad Quote on Your Shutters in Washington DC
When you invite a shutter installer, home designer or any other home service provider into your Washington DC home, you place a lot of faith in those service providers. Sadly, some home service companies may take advantage of your trust, particularly when giving you a quote. To aid you in getting quality home services, we’ve assembled some of the symptoms of a bad shutter quote, and the things you can do to protect yourself when receiving a Washington DC shutter quote and choosing a shutter company.
Note that while our experience is primarily in shutters and window accessories in Washington DC, these can apply to any home service, from roofing to flooring and beyond.
Signs of a Bad Shutter Quote
The biggest giveaways of a bad shutter quote apply to just about every home service. Here are a few of the most common warning signs.
1. The Price You Get Is The Best By Far
If you receive a quote for shutters from someone and much lower than anything else you’ve gotten, pay close attention. The company may be quoting you for a super basic product that doesn’t include the options you thought you were getting. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
2. You Receive A Great Price Quote Sight Unseen
Some shutter companies might quote you a great price on shutters without ever looking at your windows, asking about your unique needs and wants, or even measuring the dimensions. A lot goes into choosing the right shutter, so if your shutter dealer can’t get all the little things precise, there may be a big gap between a quote and the final price.
3. The Dealer Insists That Their Product is Identical to the Name Brand
A surefire sign of a bad shutter quote or any home service quote is if the sales representative tells you that their product is the same as a popular name brand. Every product is unique–from material used to construction methods to paint finish and beyond. Yet, companies that sell cheaper products will often tell customers theirs is the same as brand X. This is done to make you feel like you’re getting a superior product for a lower price, when you might just be buying an inferior product for a lower price.
Ways To Guard Yourself Against Bad Window Treatment Quotes
Being aware of these symptoms of a phony quote can save you money and stress in the long run, but there are also some precautionary steps you can take to make sure you do business with a good shutter company.
1. Check Their Credentials
Do some research on your shutter dealer or home remodeler. Resources like Yelp or the BBB can give you a great image of the company’s trustworthiness.
2. Get Your Quote in Writing
Don’t always trust a quote you hear on the phone. Getting a price quote in writing lets you check that the details (including sq. footage, extras, and installation specifics) all match what you have in mind. And make sure the details are on the quote–such as the total area, name and brand of the product, and details of the warranty–in writing!
3. Work Locally
Working with a local shutter dealer or local contractor gives you less stress when making sure a quote is for exactly what you need. Sunburst Shutters DC is locally owned and managed, and we strive to make the entire shutter-buying process as simple as possible from start to finish.
