Nowadays, it seems like everyone and their mothers offer free in-home estimates. Whether you’re looking into home renovation, home automation, home entertainment, or windows and doors, you’ll find that the companies within these industries all offer an in-home estimate.
Now this sounds great and all, but upon seeing that a company offers a free in-home estimate, you probably left wondering what exactly an in-home estimate entails.
Well let us demystify the in-home estimate process for you so that you can get a good idea about what we do when we come to your home to offer a consultation. We’ll provide you with some questions you should always ask when you invite a company into your home to give you an estimate on a new entry door.
In-Home Entry Door Estimate Process
There are a few things we’ll do during the consultation process. All of this is to ensure that we understand your needs, that you understand what options are available to you, and that you receive a fair and accurate price on the products and services.
Step 1: Figuring Out What You Want
Now, before you set up a time to have a representative come to your home, you should spend some time painting a clear picture in your mind about what you want. With this information, the representative can better understand what you want and talk you through how to bring your vision into reality.
This is top of mind for our representatives. In fact, one of the first questions our representative will ask you (besides “How are you today?”) will be, “Ok, so what are you envisioning for your new entry door?” Having an answer ready will make the whole process quicker, easier and more efficient.
Step 2: Choosing Designs, Materials, Colours, and Hardware
Once our representative has an idea of what you want, then they can go over the different designs, materials and colours that we have available for our customers. This will help you have a clearer vision of what the door will look like when it is finally installed.
During this step, our representative will also be able to offer their expert advice. For example, they can help you determine which materials would be best for your home, what additional features you may enjoy, whether it would be best to go from a single entry door to a double entry door (or vice versa), what are the best door knobs (or handles) to go with, what glass options work best, and what colours work seamlessly with your home’s current look.
There are so many custom options available, and our representative will walk you through the ones you are interested in to ensure that you get exactly what you want.
Step 3: What About Energy Efficiency?
Like many homeowners, energy efficiency is probably an important consideration for you when it comes to buying a new entry door.
That is why our representative will also go over all of the energy efficiency benefits that come with our entrance doors. They will detail for you the many ways you will save money on your energy bills with our products.
Step 4: Taking Measurements
Next, our representative will take measurements of the entrance area and your current entry door.
This information will be incredibly useful to the installation crew because it will help them better prepare for replacing your current entry door.
Step 5: You Get Your Estimate
At this stage of the consultation, our representative will be able to provide you with an estimate of the products and installation work required. This fee takes into account the price of the entry door, the labour required and the time it will take to install your new door.
If you are happy with the estimate, then our representative can schedule a day for your installation crew to come to your home and replace your current front door. They will also provide any additional information that you will need to prepare for the installation.
What Questions Should I Ask During The Consultation?
Whether you get your in-home estimate from ALDA or another company, you need to make sure that you get all of the information you need to make an informed decision.
To help you ensure that you get that information, we have provided a list of questions you should always ask during a free in-home estimate for a new entry door:
- What payment options are available?
- How long will the installation take?
- Are you properly insured?
- What payment options are available?
- Is there anything I should do to prepare for the installation?
- What level of maintenance is involved with my new entry door?
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped answer any questions you have about the free in-home estimate. If you want to set one up with us because you are interested in our fiberglass doors or steel doors, then you can give us a call (416) 807-4242 or send us a message through our contact page.