Your remodeling project, whether it is windows, siding, roofing, entry doors, or patio doors (to name a few), is essentially made up of 50% product and 50% installation. There is a library of information available on products. Online resources are extensive, such as manufacturers websites, rating companies such as Consumer Reports, and showrooms where you can see and feel the products available, and more. So what about the other 50% of your project, the installation? A great product is only as great if it is professionally installed. The greatest challenge that remodeling company owners face is having the right installation talent to perform the work. The shortage of skilled installers is a grave concern in the remodeling industry. For years now the number of high school graduates enrolling in the trades has been dropping, reducing the available talent pool for remodeling companies. As a customer with a need for remodeling on your home, how do you evaluate this element of your project? To be clear, this subject can lead to rather lengthy answers. The hope here is to give basic insight as to some things to look into, when evaluating the company you’re about to hire, to be confident they have the right talent to provide the results you are looking for.
Developing a skilled installation crew takes time. That puts the advantage to companies that have longevity. They have had years to hire, train, and mentor good talent into great talent, training teams to provide a complete professional experience. From arriving on time, setting up, preparing the site and communicating with the customer the approach that will be taken to complete the project, there is no substitute for experience.
The disadvantage goes to start up companies and companies that rely on subcontractors to keep their costs down. Startup companies have to endure the great risk of relying on interviews, and referrals, in the hopes of landing the right talent to perform the work. Companies relying on subcontractors run the risk of losing talent if they find a better offer somewhere else. This leads to turnover in the production department which can cause lack of consistency in the quality of work.
Remodelers can also lose good installers over issues such as pay, poor job planning and communication, leading to a frustrating work environment and project delays. It takes a smart owner to identify, develop, and keep the people that will make them successful, a balancing act for sure. Providing the supporting staff, making sure the job has been ordered correctly, and the right materials are available, so the installers can focus on one thing, doing your job right.
So the advantage goes to the companies that have survived the task of training, and developing great crews, who can be counted on to provide the best quality work, consistently, while mentoring new installers as the company grows.
So how do you, the customer, evaluate the other 50% of your purchasing decision, the installation? Here are a few things to look for.
- Look for the remodeler who not only presents superior products but also presents the installation and the people who will be involved in making your project a success, during the estimating process. This speaks volumes on who you are dealing with.
- Request a list of similar projects in your area, and go and inspect the workmanship. “The proof is in the pudding” as they say. Talk is cheap, inspect samples of their work.
- Ask your friends and neighbors for referrals and do your home work.
- Check out ratings with key rating agencies such as The Better Business Bureau. If a company has been in business over 20 years and maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, there is a high probability they have the installation you are looking for. That typically means they keep their customer happy.
Evergreen Door and Windows makes this choice easy. Over 50 years in business, maintaining and A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, with over 10,000 successful jobs completed. This success is directly related to our greatest asset, our installers. Our entire installation team has been with us over 10 years and some veterans over 20. As our logo states, “Custom fit expert installation” is what we bring to your remodeling project.
Visit our website today at www.evergreenwindow.com, or call (708) 423-1720 for a free professional estimate, and learn more about how our team can work for you.
