8 Questions That Most Shutter Companies Hope You’ll Never Ask Them

1. More Than a “Cookie-Cutter” Approach
Ask any window covering company, “Are your shutters hand-crafted to my exact specifications, including color, finish and fit?” Real custom shutters are made from the ground up to fit any type or shape of window...no exceptions! You want your shutter company fitting shutters to your home décor — not the other way around.

2. Know The “Wood vs. Alternatives” Argument
There will always be homeowners who insist on wood shutters. But one alternative you should ask about is Thermalite Shutters. Unlike wood shutters, Thermalite will NEVER swell, peel, crack, warp or burn; they don’t lose tension so they work perfectly for many years; and the water-based finish insures true color with no harmful toxic affects.

3. Full-time Craftsman vs. Part-Time Subcontractors
An astute homeowner will ask the shutter provider if they use subcontractors to install and service their shutters. Why? Part-time installers are not directly employed by, nor accountable to, the shutter company.

4. Check The Fine Print In The Warranty
Here’s what to look for in the fine print: Insist on a warranty so strong that it’s actually transferable to the NEXT homeowner. A transferable warranty will likely increase the resale value of your home and will result in the highest quality, maintenance-free shutters you can buy.

5. Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire
Last year alone there were 23,656 complaints filed with the License Board about contractors providing faulty custom materials and shoddy installation. Make a simple inquiry with this License Board at 1-800-321-2752. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, so only select a company that has NEVER had a complaint filed against them with The California State License Board.

6. A “24/7 Approach” To Customer Service
Ask if the shutter company provides customer service representatives 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to address any questions that may arise.

7. Don’t Get Sold…Get Educated
Ask for a shutter company’s FREE in-home design consultation in order to learn about what’s new and exciting in shutters. But more than just data, be careful to listen for someone who is helping you to know exactly what’s needed to make the right decision, no matter who you order your shutters from..

8. Lowest Price Does Not Mean Best Value
Did you know that some shutters provide up to 27% more insulation for your home than others? And some give you up to 65% more variable light control? No one expects energy costs to decrease, so selecting the right shutters for your windows can actually put thousands of dollars back into your pocket rather than in the local utility coffers.