CHOOSING A VINYL REPLACEMENT WINDOW CONTRACTORWritten by John Rocco
Whenever i write an article, it's usually tailored to do it yourself homeowner to help them save some money on high cost of labor these days. This article is for "not so handy" homeowner who wants to have new vinyl windows installed in their home. So, where do you begin? Well, first step is to get estimates. You should always get 3 estimates. Keep in mind that price you are quoted doesn't necessarily reflect quality of product. For example, I used to wear hat of Owner, Salesman, and Installer. So, when I would give an estimate, my only markup would be to pay my salary. On other extreme, some companies have an inside sales staff who do telemarketing as well as mail solicitation. These people set up in-home estimates. Then, there is an outside sales staff who visit customer for an in-home estimate. If customer signs a contract, there is another employee who measures your windows. Then, installation crew comes out and actually installs your windows. In many cases, you never even see or talk to owner. Now, imagine if this company, let's call them shears, was selling exact same window that I was selling. After you got both estimates, you might be inclined to think that my product must be inferior if I'm able to sell it so much cheaper. The reality is, it's cheaper because I pay two salaries; my salary and my other installer's salary. The other owner has to pay his own salary plus Inside sales, outside sales, field measurer, and installation crew. So, as you get each estimate, here are important things to know about that particular brand: What kind of warranty do they offer? Any reputable vinyl window manufacturer should offer a lifetime warranty because any quality vinyl window and door really is made to last a lifetime. Ask how long MANUFACTURER has been making vinyl windows. A lifetime warranty is meaningless if manufacturer goes out of business. Once you're confident that manufacturer is well established, find out how long installer has been replacing windows. Make sure they are licensed and insured. Being licensed and insured doesn't necessarily mean they're good, but it does give them accountability. I knew an unlicensed window installer who was as good as any licensed installer, but if he were to mess up a job, customer had no recourse against him. Once you are satisfied with price, manufacturer, and installer, you can determine level of quality of actual product. You can get all hung up on specs such as U-Value, R-Value, Air infiltration, etc. But, I believe you can actually get more confused if you start trying to compare all of those numbers. Just ask if product is an energy star rated window. If answer is yes, then you know specs meet highest government standards. You can confirm this by going to Energy
| | The art of home decorationWritten by Marjan Zemljic
If you would have your rooms interesting as well as beautiful, make them say something, give them a spinal column by keeping all ornamentation subservient to line.Before you buy anything, try to imagine how you want each room to look when completed; get picture well in your mind, as a painter would; think out main features, for details all depend upon these and will quickly suggest themselves. This is, in long run, quickest and most economical method of furnishing. There is a theory that no room can be created all at once, that it must grow gradually. In a sense this is a fact, so far as it refers to amateur. The professional is always occupied with creating and recreating rooms and can instantly summon to mind complete schemes of decoration. The amateur can also learn to mentally furnish rooms. It is a fascinating pastime when one gets knack of it.
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