5 Qualities the Best People in the Jackson TN Industry Tend to Have

[Dolores Genoveva]

Installing new house windows is a key home improvement project which many people consider doing. A change to the house windows is important for many reasons. First of all, such a change will perk up the look of the outside of your house. This is particularly important if you want to make a good impression on prospective purchasers. Having the right windows and doors will improve your chances of selling your property.

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When you decide on home improvement projects such as installing external doors or house windows, don't think only about how your home looks to others. It is also important to consider your own comfort and deciding to improve your home with replacement doors or vinyl windows is a part of that. House windows of UPVC (or vinyl as it is known in the US) can offer several benefits when it comes to home improvement.

That tight seal is also the reason why vinyl windows reduce heat loss, cutting it in half according to some research. This means that with PVC house windows your home will be warm and cosy and you won't have to use the central heating as much. For most people, this can represent a considerable saving over the long winter months.

With vinyl windows, you can select the most suitable style for your home as there are several to choose fro. Consider casement windows or sash windows to give your home a new look. And tinted windows may be suitable to protect against glare if you live in a sunny area.

Wood is an attractive material and the good news is that you can have this appearance in PVC. Wood finishes are available for PVC windows in both light and dark colours - and you can hardly tell the difference. This means that when your home improvement plan includes new house windows you can have the best of both worlds.

After speaking and working with thousands of homeowners regarding home improvement projects, I've noticed a pattern of unhealthy behavior when approaching a home repair or remodeling project. Often times these homeowners have come to our company in search of rescue from a previous contractor or simply want to avoid repeating a bad experience from the past.

All good consumers and business owners want each party to act in good faith during any home improvement project. Unfortunately, however, home improvement is one of the top industries for fraud and consumer dissatisfaction. Why? While much of the blame is the fault of the home improvement industry, there are common mistakes I see homeowners commit that contribute to their own dissatisfaction. Avoiding these 7 mistakes can mean the difference between a delightful home improvement project and disastrous bad dream.

1. Falling In Love With the Salesperson: Since most homeowners aren't experts in home repair, they rely heavily on the likability and apparent credibility of the salesperson to define the competence of those performing the project. Client dissatisfaction is a certainty when the employees or subcontractors don't live up to the expectations the homeowner had of the salesperson. When you invite someone to your home for a home repair or remodeling project, make sure this individual is skilled at home improvement projects, not simply a commissioned salesperson whose interest is selling you more than you need.

2. Neglecting Your Family's Safety: Most homeowners would be appalled to learn of the felony record, drug convictions, sex offenses, domestic violence or financial irresponsibility of the common worker in the construction, trade and home services industry. While prior criminals have every right to work, they have no business in your home-where your family's safety and your property's security are at stake. Demand to see a company's employee screening and background check process to ensure your safety and comfort with those working in your home.

3. Hoping to Receive Excellence Without Paying For It: From toothpaste to gasoline, shopping for the cheapest price might not be a bad idea-for many consumer goods are truly non-differentiable commodities. In this case, quality or performance of the product isn't typically affected by price. Home improvement, however, can't be commoditized, since every home is a unique creation, every project is a custom solution, and every client holds a unique set of expectations. Instead of focusing on price, look for the greatest value. For most people I meet, value equates to uncompromising craftsmanship, timely service, backed with a solid guarantee, delivered by a company who cares about them and their home and has the integrity to operate their business with transparency. Be clear on what you value in a company and don't compromise your standards.

4. Asking the Wrong Questions: How long have you been in business? Where are you located? How many technicians do you have? These questions are all aimed at answering a homeowner's basic fear: namely, "Are you out to take advantage of me?" Unfortunately, they do not reveal the facts a homeowner needs to make an informed decision. Better questions to ask concern worker's compensation and liability insurance, hiring practices for their workers (employees vs. subcontractors) and questions concerning the background screening and drug testing of such representatives of the company. In addition, checking third party review sites and state/local agencies for complaints and corporate legitimacy or good standing are critical before any hiring decision is made. Any service company or contractor who doesn't welcome the "tough questions" is not worth your patronage.

5. Placing Faith in Bogus References: Would any contractor, ethical or not, intentionally provide you with references other than those who he or she thought would provide a glowing recommendation? Consequently, a homeowner will never get an objective reference on a contractor unless they know to ask for a list of trade references-parties that have no vested interest in telling you anything but the truth. Examples include commercial vendors, materials suppliers, banks, accounting and legal associates or third-party reporting agencies like the Better Business Bureau, Angie's List and Service Magic.

6. Ignoring Insurance Coverage: Companies should provide proof of both liability insurance and worker's compensation coverage to protect you from both property damage and injuries sustained by workers on the project. Homeowner's policies generally do not cover such claims and you, as the homeowner, may be held liable if the company you hire doesn't have such coverage. Legitimate companies are proud to show proof of coverage because it is extremely costly to them. Avoid any contractor who doesn't carry such coverage.

7. Allocating an Insufficient Budget: Savvy consumers never initiate a discussion about a home Jackson Roofer repair project with a price inquiry. Rather, they've researched what a project should roughly cost and remain focused on finding the company who will deliver that project within their expectations and budget. Instead of shopping for home improvement services by price, first spend some time finding a contractor who you can trust.

Then, share your budget with that trusted adviser so they can help you devise a plan to achieve your project goals within your financial constraints. In the end, if a project is done poorly or the experience in completing it was miserable, any cost savings by shopping for the cheapest price proves irrelevant.