About Us
where we started
In 1987 Robert Willett founded RKW Construction, a window installation firm that installed windows and doors for other contractors. In 1994 Robert merged his installation firm with Thermal Construction Company, a home improvement company founded in 1980. The merger produced American Home Center, Inc that both installed and supplied windows.
About Us
how we're different
We are innovative in the way we give customers quotes. We are not a high pressure sales outfit. In fact we do all of our quotes through our website through our online form Email Quote. All that is needed to give you a quote for windows are your rough sizes, how they operate, color and what frame material. For doors we need the size of the slab (the part that swings), material and model numbers you're interested in. These are just rough sizes so measure width and height - rounded to the nearest inch. We will email you a detailed quote showing you the per unit cost.
Our website offers product information, National Fenestration Rating Council (N.F.R.C) data and plenty of pictures. In addition, we have a showroom with all the products we carry on display.
Located just off the Washington Beltway at
10778 Tucker Street - Beltsville, MD 20705
8:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday.
We don't offer in-home estimates because this service is typically provided by commissioned sales people. The industry standard is 10% commission. The sales person works from "Par" pricing. This is the amount they must sell the job for to get a 10% commission. If it is sold over "Par", the excess is split between the sales person and the company. This is the reason sales people can drop their price but it is also incentive to get you to pay as much for the products as they can. They try to get you to buy for over "Par" and if that doesn't work, lower their price. Not a very ethical way of operating. When you consider the in home estimates are at least 10% of your contract cost - they're not such a bargain.
We are different in we give you our best price the first time. Compare our pricing to the companies that offer 50% off or buy one get one. According to the Washington Consumer's Checkbook we are 44% less than the average window firm in the Washington Metro area. So our everyday prices are better than the companies that artificially inflate their prices just to offer drastic reductions. Better pricing without the haggling.
About Us
credentials
Licenses
- Maryland - MHIC#37401
- District of Columbia - Home Improvement Contractor Perm#3276
- Virginia - #2705 031732A
- City of Fairfax - 110293
- City of Alexandria - 111540
- County of Arlington - BLC10000003683-02
- County of Fairfax - 000-26-2761
Certifications
- American Window and Door Institute Certified Installer
- American Window and Door Institute Approved Dealer
- Provia Certified Installer
- EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm #NAT-20455-1
- Energystar Partner
Insurance
- Erie Insurance Company - Workman's Comp
- Erie Insurance Company - Auto
- Erie Insurance Company - Liability and Umbrella
Bonding
- Western Surety Company
Membership
- Better Business Bureau
