“What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You”

So, you got your proposal from the contractor and are excited about your new windows and doors. You look it over, feel pretty good about it and start to dream about your “new look.” You recall hearing advice about getting more than one estimate for your windows and doors, unless, of course, you know your contractor, have that trust in the company and know what you are truly getting.

So, you make an appointment with one more company; the contractor/salesperson or in the best of cases, the company owner, is working with you and you share the other proposal for comparison sakes. The person on the other side reviews the proposal and then asks you, “Out of curiosity, Ms. Jones, I was just wondering who is the manufacturer for these listed products so that I can provide you a true comparison?” “Well,” you think, “that’s right there on the proposal.” But, in fact, that is not the case. Information is MIA.

What you might see are adapted names of a window or door that the contractor carries as part of a relationship with a particular manufacturer. There is nothing wrong with this, unless, of course, you have no idea who that manufacturer is and what you are really getting with these particular products. You may have been told that this contractor is the only one to carry “X Windows and Y Doors.” That is certainly true in the sense that the contractor and manufacturer have a deal for these exclusive styles by name. But, that does you no good when you are left with little-to-no information on the products. How would you make any comparison if you do not know what you are getting? And, just imagine down the road if you ever needed to know about the manufacturer for service purposes. You could be left high-and-dry.

Long story short: KNOW your contractor – you will then know your manufacturer. Be sure to find out the specifics of the products you are getting ready to buy by asking the questions that will get you the answers. Don’t sell yourself short – you deserve to know the most you can about the investment you are getting ready to place in your home.

For more answers always, contact Tom or Reg at Windows Plus – 703-956-6172. We have the answers to alleviate any hesitations you might have about improving your home. Like so many before you, you can Trust Us! Thank you for your business – you make the difference for us.

Giving Thanks To You

Dear Windows Plus Customers,

We wish all of you a very special and healthy Holiday this season. We are very thankful for your business and for the longstanding relationships that we have built with you over the years. We look forward to keeping up with you in the coming year through our newsletter, at events, or in our communities.

Happiest of Holidays, Reg & Tom

We’Re In YouR NeighBorHood!

Windows Plus, LLC, is more than another home improvement company in your neighborhood. Yes, we are in your community, in business since 1990 and offer you excellent windows, doors and siding. Most importantly, Windows Plus will provide you outstanding customer service.

Windows Plus owners, Reg Wayland and Tom Camarca, have an extensive history in construction and it is their expertise in this industry that truly makes the difference. Wayland and Camarca have the capabilities to address the full spectrum of home improvement projects.  These projects are often complex and present unusual conditions, which would go unnoticed by the untrained eye.

Generally, a sales or marketing person in a home improvement company would have no idea what potential problems lie behind the walls of a home.  Indeed, Reg & Tom are the experts and provide the customer with services that exceed the normal experience – our approach, knowledge, and years of working in the field combine to alleviate the inherent complications in home improvement projects and provide the homeowner with a superior experience.

For windows, doors and siding call Windows Plus, LLC at 703-956-6172 to make sure your experience is excellent.  Contact Reg or Tom for information on how to make significant changes in your home.  Visit us on the web at www.Windowspls.com. Thank you for your referrals – you keep us going!

 

Show Up!!

Windows Plus will be at the Capital Maintenance & Facilities Show on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 15-16 at the Dulles Expo Center, South Hall. Come by and see us if you are part of a condominium development and want to learn more about the service companies available to your homeowners and building overall. Any questions, call Kim at 703-916-8372. Thank you for your ongoing business – we hope to catch up again with you very soon!

Winter is Almost Over

This is the case if you want to get your windows and doors before the cold weather hits your bones. An order will take between 6-8 weeks to arrive from the manufacturer, so if you are thinking about keeping warmer and more comfortable this winter, give us a call soon.

Windows Plus has a great discount offer from one of its manufacturers through 12/31/11 – a 30% savings on a Tuscany Sliding Glass door by Milgard. This product features a very unique, user-friendly handle with a commendation from the Arthritis Foundation. Call Reg or Tom at 703-956-6172 and take advantage of these savings today!!

Desperate Times Don’t Mean You Should Suffer

I am writing here to make sure that you, homeowners in the Metropolitan Area, are not burdened with contractors who are pressuring you to make decisions on changes in your home. Poor economic times coupled with bad weather call for desperate measures, it seems, and this can result in a big issue for you. We see it all over the news – contractors who swindle and cajole, and leave homeowners high and dry. We want to make sure you know that you can call on us and trust our opinion and approach us, regardless of the economy. We take our business very seriously.

We have heard about contractors spreading rumors on other companies to try to get business, taking shortcuts, leaving jobs in the middle of the projects, and all due to money matters. Windows Plus relies on a sound and longstanding reputation to ensure that our customers, past, present and future, are serviced appropriately. We do not take our relationships lightly and we expect excellence at all levels of our work. If you have issues that you need to discuss, you can call us personally to ensure a quick resolution.

In these times, everyone is holding on tight. We want to help you make the right decisions for you and your home so that you can maximize your resources and have the best results. Call Reg, Tom or Kim at 703-956-6172 to talk about your home, your most solid investment. Thank you for your business, but more importantly, for your trust.

PLAYING DEFENSE IN YOUR HOME

Learning how to be defensive serves many purposes in life, and no place better than in your home. Burglars have many agendas, but they cannot play if they have no way. Statistically, people are careless with home defense. Price shopping may drive a homeowner to purchase flimsy, cheap hardware for windows and doors. Laziness may breed poor habits, such as failing to lock windows and doors on leaving the home. But, in today’s craziness, none of us can afford to slack when it comes to personal security.

No matter where you live, you are vulnerable. Predators roam and prowl the least suspecting places. But, a cautious individual may be spared pain and suffering from a burglary or worse, an attacker, by taking certain, consistent measures.

Do not leave your doors and windows unlocked. When you leave your home, whether for a minute or a day, be sure to lock all windows and doors. A burglar enters in a brief few seconds, so why make it easier for one to enter your home, invade your space and privacy, and above all, threaten your person and property?

Don’t answer a doorbell or knock at your door without knowing who it is first. Do not let yourself be a target for a scam. Never let unknown people into your home. Whether you are in a small town where “there is no crime,” or in a populated city, these rules apply equally.

Keep your valuables out of sight and be sure to have them written down with pictures and serial numbers in a safe for insurance and police purposes.

Do not hide a house or car key outside of your home. Instead, find a trusting neighbor for these purposes.

Do not leave a ladder or any other similar item in sight that a burglar could use to access the upper level of your house.

The U.S. Department of Justice has indicated that as many as 30% of all homes will be invaded over the course of the next 20 years. Do not let yourself be a statistic. Be smart at all times and practice safety for you and your loved ones.

If you have any questions about how Windows Plus can help you safeguard your home, contact Reg or Tom at 703-956-6172.

“When the Storms Come, They Come a-Running”

Storm chasers. What this can mean to you is that wanna-be “contractors” chase homeowners when the storms hit, expecting to get your business, or at least, your money. Be very cautious in these situations. Know your contractor: Check out the company, ask for referrals for the company and the installers, request identification from anyone who will be working in your home, review the contract for the work to be done, find out about the company’s insurance, guarantees and warranties, inspect work in the neighborhood where the contractor has completed work, and ask for receipts. And, you just cannot be too careful. “Don’t throw caution to the wind.” Call Windows Plus for your home improvement needs – 703-916-8372 or 703-956-6172.

Home Repair Scams

Following is a statement that we received from a crime prevention officer in Fairfax County. It is very important information for all residents: “”Please be aware of increased activity with home repair scam suspects in our area. I have been involved with several of these cases in the past weeks.Ó Ð from one of our CIS Detectives here. Remember solicitors need a license, never pay upfront for work to be done at a later date, and when possible consult with a neighbor or family member if the price seems high or unreasonable.”

Crime does not discriminate, so everyone is vulnerable. Please take extreme precautions to protect you and your loved ones. When we work with residents, we provide our licensing information, addresses, contact data, contracts, references and insurance information. Please request this sort of documentation from anyone who will be working in or around your home. Safety matters. Call Reg or Tom with your questions on home improvements in your home. 703-916-8372 or 703-956-6172. Thank you for keeping your community safe.

We See the Light

The economy, a standard word in many of our conversations for the past several years, sadly enough. We did not experience a simple down-turn of the economy; rather, it hit us head first, a verifiable trainwreck. We melted down financially and the effects are lingering in our backyard. But, I think we can see the light. Consumers have begun to spend, little by little. Homeowners are improving their homes, albeit carefully and more methodically than before. Politicians talk green and efficient and the population is trying hard to react positively to making changes and hoping for a strong impact personally. In the window and door replacement industry, there is great hope. Some consumers are looking at financing options as a way to complete those much-needed home improvement projects. Others are beginning to plan their home improvements, perhaps putting them off for now until they feel more confident about their own job status and the market, but their interest is peaked at the thought of greater comfort, security and efficiency. At this juncture, Windows Plus is here to help you no matter what stages you are in on your own home improvement projects. Call Reg or Tom at 703-956-6172 and discuss your options. Let us be there for you at these critical times.

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