Why doesn't AHC, Inc. offer in home
estimates?
What kind of windows are for me?
Why is American Home Center, Inc.
less expensive than
competitors?
What kind of installation is offered?
Who installs my windows?
What is the process from quote to
installation?
Who is my warranty with?
We structured our business very differently from other
window companies. We do not have any commissioned salesmen. Most
companies that do in home estimates do so by using commissioned
salesmen. The industry norm is 10% of the contract price. We decided
that we would not go this route for two reasons.
First is the savings to the customer. Our average window contract
is $3,500 – this means that you would pay an extra $350 if we had
salesmen. Secondly, we do not employ high pressure tactics – since
the commission is the salesman’s income source – it is easy to slip
into high pressure sale’s pitches with promises made to customers
that are not factual.
What we do is give estimates over the phone, through our
website or in our showroom. The extra work put on the customer by
doing it this way is supplying us with quantity, how the window
operates, color, window material and approximate sizes (the size
stratifications for pricing is 10” so there is plenty of room for
error). For on line quote visit our email
quote page. We email back written, line itemed quotes and can
supply pricing on several scenarios if you are unsure about model or
material. This way you can attach a dollar amount to the different
choices which often helps in the decision.
The quote we supply is the real quote – not the first one to see
if you’ll buy at that price. If a company has room to lower their
price – they were trying to overcharge you the first time. If you
decide to proceed with the order, we come out and take precise
measurements as all of our windows are custom make. If you are more
the type that likes to touch and feel the product, we have all of
our products on display in our showroom located at 10778 Tucker
Street - Beltsville, MD 20705.
Vinyl windows offer better warranties, thermal performance and
are about half the cost of wood or fiberglass. Grids are in
between the glass, however, American Jewel does offer simulated true
divide grids. Simulated true divide grids are grids on the
outside of the glass - both on the interior and exterior of the
windows. Vinyl windows are limited in the available colors and
painting is not recommended.
If you want the vinyl warranty with a paintable/stainable
interior the Thermal Industries Dreamwood is the window for you.
It is a vinyl window with a wood clad interior.
Fiberglass windows offer more color choices, decorative hardware
and have a less shiny appearance than vinyl windows.
Fiberframe offers simulated true divide grids. Fiberglass
windows can be made larger than vinyl or wood and they are
paintable. Fiberglass windows have limited lifetime warranties
- some parts are prorated.
Wood windows offer a natural beauty and lend warmth to a home.
They can be painted or stained to match different decors.
Grids can be in between the glass of simulated true divide.
Pella designer series offers blinds or shades in between the glass.
Wood warranties are 10 years on the windows & 20 years on the glass
seals.
Besides not passing through the salesman's commission costs,
American Home Center, Inc. does not have the advertising
expenses of other firms. You will not find us in magazines,
value packs, newspapers or on the radio. 84% of our business
comes from past customers using us again, past customers referring
us to friends or folks finding us through the Consumer's Checkbook
or Angie's List. Because we don't pay the big advertising
bills, we do not have to pass that cost on to you.
American Home Center, Inc. does replacement windows. Your
existing wood frame stays, we remove your sashes and install a new
window into your frame. This is why you lose glass size when
you replace your windows. American Jewel is the slimmest sash
profile we could find to reduce the amount of glass you lose.
Included in the installation is wrapping your exterior frame with
vinyl coated aluminum so the exterior of the opening is maintenance
free.
We also use replacement method for entry doors. A new door
with a frame is put into your existing frame. This reduces the
size of the opening, which is usually fine for a back door or
basement door, but for your front entrance we recommend you have a
new construction door installed. If you need to replace
sidelites with your door, this is only available in new construction
doors. We do not offer new construction installation.
In the case of patio doors, both atrium and sliding the old frame
is removed so no reduction in opening size.
AHC, Inc. uses it's own full time employees. We do not ever
use subcontractors. Our employees have had extensive training
including EPA Lead-Safe practices certification. We use in
house employees for several reasons. The first is absolute
schedule control, when we tell you your windows will be installed in
a certain time frame - we mean it. Secondly because they only
work for us - subcontractors typically work for several different
companies. With us their are no divided loyalties.
From a customer's perspective this works because if something goes
wrong there is no finger pointing between the seller and the
subcontractor. Also there is no chance of miscommunication
about what the job entails.
Quotes are given over the phone, through our website
Email Quote
or in the showroom. If you decide you want to proceed with the
project, we come out and take our measurements and get the paperwork
down at the same time. No multiple visits for sale and
measurements.
The terms are a 1/3 deposit when the contract is signed, balance
due at completion. Part of the contract is a two week window
in which the windows will be installed.
When your windows come in you are contacted to find a date that
works in your schedule. The installers arrive between
7:00-7:30am and are usually done by sometime between 1:00-3:00pm.
Most installations are only one day. The only reason we will
not come on the day you are set is if it is raining or snowing on
that day. If we need to reschedule because of weather, we will
call you by 6:30am that morning to let you know. This gives
you the chance to plan your day accordingly.
Our labor warranty is one year. After one year there is a
trip charge and since the mid 80s, our trip charge has been $40.
All the product warranties are manufacturer's warranties.
If you have an issue, call us. We have all your records and
can order parts easily from the manufacturer. If it is within
the first year, no charge. If after a year the $40 trip charge
applies. Because you hold a warranty with the manufacturer -
you can also go to the manufacturer directly for parts.
