So, there’s always been a elephant in the room when it comes to buying replacement windows. Many people find that most companies will require a in-home consultation of some sort to help them select the right window and take measurements.

The time investment that a in home consultation may require is often a surprise people hadn’t expected. To properly educate on the purchase and products available, the truly responsible thing for contractors is to invest the time that it takes to do things ‘right’.

But what if you’re a busy family? In 90% of cases, it’s best for a Husband and Wife be present at the time of the consultation. Many families find it difficult to set aside the 1-2 hours where they can go through all the motions traditionally taken.

The situation from the contractor’s point of view is to spend the time with their customer that is required to ensure a great sale. If too little time is spent with the customer, they may end up buying a product they are not happy with and in return become frustrated. It’s also a great chance to ‘Make the sale’ and really explain what your product/company strengths are.

From the position of someone researching windows. The idea of getting the right purchase and spending the time required sounds great on the surface. Although, the best advise is often to receive more than one quote or at least research more than one product. It can be very frustrating to try to find time where you and your spouse are available at one time. It becomes even more difficult when you’ve got to find that time 2-3 times.

Many websites offer to ‘Get you the lowest quote’ or ‘get competing quotes’ from multiple companies. While this might help solve the ‘Most expensive/Lease expensive’ issue, you’re still missing out. A consultation – in house – even once, can provide a great outlook on the value of products and services and not just a flat price. It’s also common to have those companies request to take measurements of your home to ensure accuracy. So now you’re still stuck with getting enough time for someone to come and measure your openings.

Ultimately, I want to know what you think! I certainly don’t have the answers but I’m eager to see your opinions.

Post your comments and let me know – Don’t forget to re-tweet / dig / post this discussion on Facebook. You can also subscribe via RSS to our blog or comments.

When President Obama addressed the nation in his last State of the Union address, he mentioned a Philadelphia window manufacturer as proof of the stimulus act at work. And for the most part, many companies effected by the tax credits would agree. The Window industry, has certainly seen a boom in business and is looking forward to that continuing.

“Talk to the window manufacturer in Philadelphia who said he was skeptical of the Recovery Act until he added two shifts due to the business it created,” Obama said.

Although he didn’t mention Northeast Building Products by name, DWM confirmed that it was in fact the Philadelphia-based company with Fran Levin, its executive vice president. Levin says she received a call from the White House yesterday requesting permission for the company to be mentioned.

Following the address last night, she received a call from CNN and Northeast Building Products president Alan Levin appeared on CNN this morning at 11 a.m.

- For more on that story

As the normal slow period during December-January/February begins to fade away. Many window contractors are gearing up for one of the biggest sales year they’re likely to have experienced in recent memory.

Take our Poll, how do you think the tax credits have helped the economy?

Are you in a related industry? Have the credits helped you? Are you a home owner looking for new replacement windows – has the tax credit effected your interest or recent purchase decision? Tell us about it – Comment below!

When should I consider finding a local company?

If you’ve already done your research, and visited www.denverwindowinfo.com. You’ should be feeling confident you have a good start to understanding what options you have and how to take advantage of tax credits. I’d really recommend considering contacting a local professional today.

As the year progresses, Denver window installation companies are likely to see a greater volume of interest this year than they did last year. With the $1,500 tax credit availability peaking interest late in 2009, many homeowners found them selfs frustrated after learning they’d waited to long and could not have their new replacement windows installed by the end of the year.

With that being said, as the season begins to change, more and more people will likely be pushing to get their new windows installed. If you wanted to go see a new box office movie like Avatar in the theater, you wouldn’t want to wait until the last minute to take action. In fact – you might want to buy the tickets on-line to ensure it’s not sold out. Once you have the tickets, it will still be important to get to the theater early to ensure you’ve got good seats.

The same principle’s will apply to buying replacement windows in Denver. The rush will certainly be in place early this year.

There are now some windows manufactured that come with screens that have been dubbed “HD screens” or high definition screens.

The new screens are becoming more and more popular in today’s market place. A HD screen will have almost a completely see through appearance do to the fact that the screen mesh is much thinner. To compensate for a thinner/weaker screen mesh, the weave pattern is tightened.

Another interesting improvement is that the new screens offer greatly improve air flow because of less surface resistance. Since the weave is tighter the new screens are only slightly more likely to tear. With these screens popularity increasing it will be an option or even a standard feature with most windows produced in the near future.

Some consumers feel as if they need to buy windows that carry a brand name (Household name). They feel as if they must buy from a large brand name (Household name) company as well.

As discussed in a earlier post, If you spent 450.00 to have a window installed in your home you just bought a 150.00 window if you bought it threw a small (Mom and pop company) company spending zero to little on advertising. A small company usually only sells a few different lesser known brand names (NOT house hold names) in order to keep there orders to the factory up so they are insured the best wholesale price on the window. They must offer better service ( A person touch) and features that surpass the larger companies in order to survive. If you paid 450.00 then it is safe to say the window cost is around 150.00, the labor was about 150.00 and there was 150.00 profit for the owner to run the business( Half of that would go to the salesperson if they have one).

If you spent the same With a large window company with a household brand name how does the break down look like? They spend millions of dollars to become household names and the consumer pays that expense. The laborers are paid less than the labor paid to an laborer working for a small company. There is more specialization in labor coming from a smaller company with less turn over in workers than in large company’s. If you paid 450.00 for a product that you see as a equal product than your window is really only a fifty dollar window instead of 150.00 window purchased from smaller companies.

McDonald’s is a household name that sells cheeseburgers. More cheeseburgers than any other burger place in the world. Everyone has bought a cheeseburger from McDonald’s at least once. Most of us realize that the burgers are sub par in quality, have fillers in there meat and are a waste of money. We understand that the labor costs are very low in order to have a larger profit margin. They also employ unskilled laborers. Do you think its possible to pay a similar price for a burger at a local mom and pop burger joint and get real meat in the burger, have it be more tasteful and have it prepared by slightly more skilled employees?

So  do you really need to buy from a household name in the window world?  Your resale on your home will not be any higher with household brand name windows, but your wallet will be lighter. Your best value on windows may be to look outside the box and shop around.   There are obviously several factors to add to the mix beyond price as well, be sure you’re considering the benefits you’ll receive from working with smaller companies.

I bet your favorite place to eat is somewhere other than McDonald’s. Your favorite contractor could be someone that you might not have even heard of yet.