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Frequently Asked Questions
"I'm very very
pleased with the workmanship! I will highly recommend Window
Universe to friends, family, coworkers, etc. Dave's team is
the best!!!"
- Pat, Washington,
DC NW
All of the questions in this section were
submitted either by visitors to the Siding Universe and the Window Universe
websites or by our past customers.
We've done our best to provide clear straightforward answers for everyone to
see.
If you have a question that has not been addressed
please use the form on the bottom of this page. Your question may be
posted to help everyone. When we all work together things get much
easier!
Do my husband and I both need to be home for your
estimate?
This question was submitted by Caroline in
Falls Church, VA
No. Many traditional
contractors will insist that both parties be home during a presentation so
they can try to pressure you into signing a contract on the spot.
We don't do the old fashioned high
pressure sales pitch and we don't need you both to be there.
We do recommend that all of the
interested parties be present if possible so we can answer all of your
questions. We understand that schedules are busy, and if this isn't
possible that's just fine with us!
How can you give me a presentation and an exact
quote in 45 minutes when the last company I met with took 3+ hours?
This question was submitted by Alexis in
Baltimore, MD
So far this is our favorite
question of the bunch! The short answer is because we choose to.
We value your time and we understand that you probably have other things on
your schedule.
During your demonstration we'll
tell you about our company and the windows that we offer. We'll
explain our lifetime window and labor warranties. We'll tell you about
the options that are available and we'll go through all of the prices with
you. We'll answer all of your questions and do our best to help you
feel comfortable with the process.
All of that can be done in about
45 minutes. Other companies need to take much more of your time
because they spend their first two hours trying to justify their high prices
and the next hour telling you about the "great" deal you're getting.
Luckily our prices and our windows
actually are great, so our story doesn't need to be long.
How long will this new siding last?
This question was submitted by Joanne in
Ft Washington, MD
To be frank your new siding will
probably outlast you! The new insulated vinyl siding we use today is
the result of years of product advancement and is covered by our lifetime
warranty. It will not fade chip or crack for as long as you own your
home guaranteed.
This is why so many local
homeowners have decided to replace their old aluminum or wood siding with
new energy efficient siding. You can be confident your home will be
looking great for years to come.
Would it be cheaper just to repaint my house?
This question was submitted by Joanne in
Ft Washington, MD
Yes it would... at first.
Do I need to make a decision on the spot? I
want to think it over to make sure I'm getting a fair deal.
This question was submitted by Emily in
Silver Spring, MD
You certainly do not need to sign
up on the spot and we will not try to pressure you with "sign today or the
price goes up" tactics. While many of our customers do sign up right
away you certainly do not need to.
All of our prices are guaranteed
for 30 days so you'll have time to make sure you are comfortable with the
decision to work with us.
How do I know that things are on schedule after
I've ordered the siding?
This question was submitted by Anna in
Fairfax, VA
This is a great question!
We will keep you informed through weekly email status updates until
everything is complete. Every Thursday you will receive an email
letting you know the status of the project and confirming that everything is
on track. Of course you can always call to check anytime you like.
Some companies will take your
money and leave you with no idea what is going on until they show up two
months later with a pickup truck full of siding. We thought there was
probably a better way to keep you informed!
How long will it take to get new my new siding
installed?
This question was submitted by Mike and Susan
in Woodbridge, VA
ALL of our windows are custom made
and ordered to 1/8" specifications. This is done to make sure they fit
exactly right in your home. This is the best way to get maximum
efficiency, because it virtually eliminates the potential of drafts coming
around the windows.
The actual installation will
only take 1 or 2 days depending on how many windows you have. We
work hard to get things done quickly and to minimize the disruption to your
schedule.
The total time to measure,
manufacture and install your new windows can vary, but a timeline of 3-5
weeks from start to finish is typical.
Your quote is much lower than another estimate I
received. What am I sacrificing by going with you as opposed to the higher
priced company?
This question was submitted by Justin in
Washington, DC
We employ a number of strategies
to keep our prices low. For instance, some companies in the area will
spend $100,000 per year on ads in the Yellow Pages. Some will spend
even more on ads in the newspaper and on TV. Do you think they need to
recoup these costs by charging higher prices? They certainly do.
You're not sacrificing
anything! We offer great products at great
prices with great service and great warranties to back them up. Please
read the quotes and watch the videos on our website. Our customers
know a great deal when they see one!
Paying too much is so 2007!
What do you mean by new siding installed for $149?
This question was submitted by Jake in
Washington, DC
Will this project qualify for a tax credit?
This question was submitted by Daniel in
Arlington, VA
Yes. Almost all of
the windows and doors we offer will qualify for the tax credit when you
select a qualifying glass option. We offer several choices so you can
select the windows and the efficient glass option that works best for you.
We'll be happy to go through all
of the options with you. We love talking efficiency!
I see you do a lot for the environment, do you use
recycled vinyl in the siding?
This question was submitted by Ann Marie in
Ellicott City, MD
Thanks for noticing, we do try to do
our part for the environment. The quick answer to this one is
no. All of the vinyl in our windows is 100% virgin vinyl.
That means it has never been anything other than a window. This is
necessary to maintain the strength and durability that we require.
Recycled or "regrind" vinyl has
serious shortcomings and cannot be used to make a quality window.
Luckily, vinyl can be easily recycled and the scrap material in the plants
is recycled into other products.
How can I know that you really provide good
service?
This question was submitted by Sam in Towson,
MD
This is a question every homeowner
asks. We can make a nice looking website and we can post videos of
customers, but how can you be sure you're really looking at a company with a
strong track record? Here are a few ways you can tell that satisfied
customers are our business.
1.You can look us up with the
Better Business Bureau by clicking the button at the bottom of every
page. You'll see that we have an "A" rating and we have never had
a single complaint. Some companies in this industry have several
complaints and often times the complaints are still unresolved.
This is important to check.
2. If you have a subscription
you can look us up on Angie's List by clicking the button at the bottom
of every page. It's against Angie's rules for us to tell you what
our rating is, but you can probably assume we wouldn't put a link on
every single page if we didn't have many great reports!
3. We'll be happy to provide
you with a list of our past customers so you can call them and talk
about their experience with us.
Are you licensed, bonded and insured in Maryland,
Washington, DC and Virginia?
This question was submitted by Maggie in
Sterling, VA
Yes. Many area
companies will only work in one of the three local jurisdictions because
they cannot meet the licensing and insurance requirements in all three.
We can and we do.
Didn't find the answer to your question? Ask
us here.
Your question could be posted to help everyone!
This section will always be a work
in progress and it would not exist without your help. If you have a
question, please don't hesitate to contribute.
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