FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I do have a pricing system. As an estimator I used pricing guidelines as well as incorporated custom pricing for certain tasks. I have a set list of pricing for every single piece of labor and I use it when I consider the overall expense. I try to be fair when I price out my jobs and as an overall rule, I usually try to beat the big box store installation prices by 50%. Having very little overhead allows me to do so. I can say that almost every one of the bids I turn in through thumbtack is nearly half of what a customer would pay for installation services through a larger company. I can also provide better service and better quality work because I am the only one involved in the job beginning to end. I piece out every bit of material so that the customer will have an idea of how much it will all cost before hand. I work to get the best prices by either using the people I know through my old company and applying my own company discount or shopping around with the local door companies that I have begun to build relationships with.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
First I like to make sure it is a good fit and that I can execute exactly what they are requesting. I want to build trust and answer any questions that the customer may have so that they feel confident in their choice of using me for their project. Then it's time to get to work. I begin by taking measurements of what is existing and make an assessment of what we will need to begin our project. Then I typically start doing the research to make sure that everything is being done in the most cost effective way possible. I will hunt for bargains and make sure that I can find exactly what the customer is looking for, that is if they haven't purchase it already themselves. After everything is ordered and ready to go we coordinate a time to begin the installation based on the customers schedule and what is convenient for them. During the install I like to keep everything as clean and as contained as possible taking every precaution to protect anything close to the install site whether it means covering any items or moving them from any potential harm. I am meticulous with my installs and make sure everything is perfect before I present the finished work to the customer. The job is not complete until the customer is 100% satisfied with the outcome. When I leave, the house is as clean as it was when I arrived. Of course after the installation is complete and I have moved on if there are ever any issues down the road it will be my top priority to return asap to resolve them. And I will always answer any questions or address any concerns. 100% satisfaction is my goal every time.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I grew up working for my dad who began as a commercial painter and eventually began to take on residential remodeling projects. I myself started as a painter when I was very young and soon began to get into various projects involving all different forms of carpentry. I eventually worked for residential restoration companies and began installing doors for one of them who happened to be a sub contractor for a box box store. After years of being one of the top installers for multiple sub contractors I was promoted to estimator and eventually Territory lead, overseeing all operations within my territory. During my time with these companies I have installed over 3,500 doors myself, inspected thousands, trained installers and even helped with prototypes of new products for some local manufacturers. After millworks, I moved over to the kitchen division wear I began as a measure technician creating blue prints for designers and then working with the managers to verify the designs prior to installation. Eventually I began installing cabinets as well also doing service repair work, pretty soon I was participating in every step of the process from beginning to end. With all of this experience I would say that there really isn't a door, window, cabinet, trim, or finishing job I could not complete without high quality results.