3 Sales Tricks To Avoid When Choosing A Home Improvement Contractor

When it comes to purchasing goods and services, there’s an age-old saying: ‘If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.’

Even today, there is still wisdom in those words as consumers navigate their way through unscrupulous salesmen using high-pressure tactics and hours-long presentations to upsell or persuade people into purchasing products and services they don’t need (or want!)

We’ve all been through it – maybe when purchasing a car or a new computer. But the same applies when choosing a home improvement contractor as well. Here are three common home improvement sales tricks to watch out for and avoid.

Low Bids

No one wants to pay more than they have to, especially when it is a significant investment like replacement windows for your home.

Sadly, many home owners get distracted by the low bid figures, and fail to realize there are significant caveats attached to these bids.

Low bids, which can be substantially lower than other bids from professional window replacement contractors, can be very tempting. But the simple truth is, it’s probably too good to be true.

Replacement windows are expensive because the substantial hard cost of the materials, the trained, professional labor required in a proper installation and the insurance required to cover workers and protect contractors and homeowners.

Those low bids are usually achieved by compromising on one or more of the above, and it is often difficult to see what exactly has been compromised before it’s too late. 

Extremely Short Term Sales And Deals

This one is tried and true – the ‘once in a lifetime offer, that’s only valid if you buy now’.

Amy Fontinelle from Investopedia cautions homeowners against making rash decisions when presented with time-limited offers.

“Once you've discussed your options and narrowed down what you want, the sales person should offer you a price, in writing, for the work you want done. But in order to close the deal, you might be offered a sale or a price that is only valid for a very short time - say, 24 hours,” she says.

“Don't feel pressured by what appears to be a one-time chance to save money. If there really is a sale that really is ending, it will probably come around again. There's also a chance that you could take your time to decide and, if you got a new quote six months later, you'd be offered the same deal.

“Even if the special price expires and never comes back again, by taking your time to completely think through your decision, you'll be much more likely to make the right decision.”

Fly-by-Night Contractors

Many fly-by-night contractors are uninsured and work with cheap, untrained and ill-supervised laborers. They will often use your home’s windows as a training exercise to figure out how to replace windows or will return mid-job demanding more money to finish a job that is not correct or complete to begin with.

You may not discover the real cost of doing business with these types of contractors until it is too late.

As with any important investment, you can minimize your risks and ensure you get the best value by doing due diligence. Engage professional, established home improvement contractors, get multiple estimates from companies with a proven track record, and weigh your options carefully. The goal should be to have beautiful replacement windows, professionally installed at a fair price, that add value, efficiency, and comfort to your home.

The Windows On Washington Difference

At Windows on Washington, we work with our clients the way we want to be treated in our own homes - knowledgeably, professionally, and respectfully. We take the time to listen to your home improvement needs and then create a solution using best-in-class products coupled with our expert installation techniques. We will educate you on our approach to your project, explain your options and encourage you to do additional research. There is no obligation, pressure, no pushy sales tactics or hidden charges.