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Q. Who is coming out to do my estimate?
A. We send the person who is most qualified for the type of work you are considering.
Elizabeth is our senior estimator / co-owner and is responsible for most estimate appointments.
Q. How do I get an estimate ...?
A. Either click on "Contact Us" page. Fill out the form and send it to us electronically
& we will contact you within one business day. Or you may contact our office by phone at 860-245-5575.
Q. You have workers in my neighborhood. Can one of them give me an estimate ...?
A. We have dedicated estimators who have been trained to accurately estimate construction projects.
Although our job foremen are happy to answer general questions from you, they must stay with the
crews for which they are responsible. Our estimator provides you with undivided attention.
Q. Can someone give me an estimate over the phone?
A. We can sometimes provide basic information by phone but an accurate and professional
estimate involves a visit to your home or business to gather all job details.
Q. Are you available for Saturday appointments...?
A. As much as possible, we try to make most of our appointments on weekdays including early
morning and late afternoons. Please contact our office to check availability.
Q. Why didn’t your representative leave the estimate at my
house ...?
A. After speaking with you and then drawing, measuring & taking photographs, our estimator
puts together a thorough, detailed printed (not handwritten) estimate. The extra care we take
ensures you get the professional service you deserve.
Q. How soon will I have my estimate ...?
A. Normally, we can complete detailed siding, window & skylight estimates within 48 hours.
Occasionally, we need to research material options which takes more time.
Sunroom, house addition & carpentry estimates may take weeks, especially if we need estimates from
plumbing, electrical or other trade contractors.
If you provide us with a FAX number or e-mail address, we can get your estimates to you quicker
than with standard post office mail service.
Q. Why did my estimating appointment get re-scheduled ...?
A. Usually, the only reason for us to re-schedule is because the weather is not cooperating.
Particularly, if we need to analyze your roof or skylights, we need a dry day without high winds
so we can go onto your roof safely. If there is snow, we can’t see under it to the roof &
skylights below. We look at details that are not visible from the ground and because we live in
New England, we have year ‘round weather surprises. We have an excellent track record of keeping
our appointments and arriving on time.
We respect your time & work hard to keep our commitments to you. If we must re-schedule, we
try to give you as much notice as possible to minimize impact. If we have a daytime phone number
for you (work or cell) we will call if we are running behind or have conditions that require
us to re-schedule.
Q. Why do you include more things than my other estimates...?
That makes my project cost more.
A. We include all of the details we feel are desirable for a professional project. Some of the
quality details in your estimate may be optional. We back up our work with:
- Years of experience & a good safety record.
- Substantial liability and workers’ compensation insurance for your protection.
- Advanced training that allows us to provide extended product warranties.
- Extensive list of happy customers.
The best long term value and return on investment for your remodeling dollar. We long ago
decided that we would rather explain our pricing structure and value than apologize for poor results.
Your home is not just where you live, it is also a substantial long-term investment. Whether you
are moving soon or planning to stay in your home for a long time, quality remodeling pays you back
year after year by increasing the value of your home.
Our professionalism = your peace of mind
Q. Where can I see the materials you included in my estimate
...?
A. We can mail or drop off some samples or meet with you to show them.
Q. How do I see material colors to make my selection ...?
A. Some color samples are small enough for us to mail or drop off to you.
Others are available for viewing in our showroom and on the internet. We can
also provide you with an address list of finished projects grouped by
material & color so you can see them for yourself.
Customers tell us that it is much easier to choose colors when looking at an
entire house rather than small samples.
Q. What does the VELUX® Skylight Specialist designation mean?
A. Thousands of hours of practice repairing, replacing & installing VELUX
products means we are the best resource when you have a skylight question.
Q. Do you offer a cash discount ...?
A. We process all payments through our checking account using the same
process so the invoice amount will remain the same whether you pay us with
cash, personal check, bank check or credit card.
Q. Do you give senior discounts ...?
A. If you are 65 or older and mention this to us, we will provide you with a
senior discount which will vary according to the size of your project.
Q. Why is there a charge for a portable toilet ...?
A. We include that charge only if the house bathroom will not be available
for our crew. This provides comfort for the crew as well as a way of
minimizing construction debris tracked into your home. We remove the unit as
soon as possible after work is completed.
Q. I’m ready to get going. Do I just sign the estimate &mail it back to you ...?
A. Please call our office so we can immediately save time on our schedule for
you. Then, we update your estimate with start & completion dates, &
other details to make it a legal contract. We will then mail two copies to
you. Please sign one copy & return it to us. Of course, if you have any
questions, please call us.
And, by the way, thank you for hiring us!
Q. Do I need to send a deposit with my contract ...?
- With small
projects that can be completed in just a day or two, we ask for a
deposit equal to the cost of materials which we order or pick up prior
to the beginning of your project.
- With larger projects, we set up phases of
payment.
- If your
project is scheduled to start a month or two from now, please sign and
return your contract as soon as you have chosen your colors. Unless we have
special order materials, we won’t need your deposit until we’re about to
start your work.
Q. Can I make payments on my project over several months ...?
A. Although we don't directly provide financing through our own company, we
will be glad to connect you with several reliable local companies who finance
home improvement projects.
A local bank with whom you currently have accounts is often the least
expensive option. We ask for full payment upon completion of our work.
Q. Are you insured ...?
A. All of our employees, including our estimators, are fully insured.
Liability coverage protects you and your home from any accidental damage that
could occur during work. Workers’ compensation insurance protects our
employees and minimizes liability for you while we’re on your property. Our
coverage includes auto liability insurance. Our insurance agent will provide
you with a current certificate of insurance made out in your name prior to
the beginning of work. This important step is suggested by the CT Dept. of
Consumer Protection for your protection.
Q. Can you fix my problem while you’re here? It’s just a small
repair...
A. Our estimators do not carry equipment or materials to do repairs but we
can send out an experienced service technician to take care of your repair on
a time + materials basis. Payment is due upon completion of your project.
Q. Will my house & yard be a mess during work ...?
A. Although most types of remodeling are messy, we clean up at the end of
each day and thoroughly at the end of a job. In the case of roofing, siding
or exterior carpentry, we use magnets in the yard to pick up nails that are
not visible to the naked eye. This protects people & pets from foot
injuries. In the event of snow, we return to clean up as soon as possible
after the snow melts.
Q. I need a mason / electrician / plumber / painter … Do you know a good one ...?
A. We keep updated lists of contractors who we feel provide quality work
& value. We’re happy to share their names with you. Please call our
office for a referral. And please let them know how you heard about them.
Q. Do you provide design services?
A. We provide basic guidance regarding the
details of your project including interior and exterior finishes and bathroom
layout. If you need basic sketches for
the building department, we charge hourly for that service. We work with other professionals to provide
detailed kitchen or addition drawings.
Q. I have a historical home. Can you restore my home’s original details?
A. With decades of working on historical
buildings, we have the skills and resources to restore original details. As members of The Connecticut Trust for
Historic Preservation, we enjoy preserving our historical heritage as much as
possible. We’re often able to upgrade
non-visible details to meet current building & energy codes for your
safety & comfort.
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