What To Expect At Your Southern California In-Home Shutter Consultation

March 26, 2019

As you begin the window treatment buying process, some companies, like Sunburst, send out a rep for an in-home consultation. By taking samples to you, we can show you how different window treatments would look with your decor. You’ll see how simple it is to find the best window treatment when you leave the artificial surroundings of a showroom.

But what exactly happens during an in-home consultation? And how will bringing samples to your home help you better choose the perfect window treatment? Sunburst prides itself on these in-home consultations, and here’s what you will experience at your visit.

Detailing A Typical In-Home Shutters Consultation

A couple viewing window treatment samples.

Start by making an appointment by contacting your local representative. If you already have a shutter or window treatment in mind, like our Polywood® plantation shutter, then we will make it a point to show you a variety of options related to your preferred treatment. We will also bring alternatives, so you can feel confident that your choice matches your ideal.

During the actual appointment, we’ll sit down and talk about what you want in a window treatment. We’ll cover issues like your lighting, privacy, and energy efficiency preferences, and we’ll pay special attention to hard-to-reach or specialty-shaped windows. Your rep will also want to know how the room is used and what aesthetic you are trying to accomplish. And it’s normal if you don’t know precisely what you need, as we’ll explain all your options.

We might show you many different products to see which ones fit into your interior design and enhance your windows. Most people need to explore a few different product lines, like comparing Polywood with our real-wood Ovation® shutters or choosing the perfect stain to match the room. We’ll also find all the options available for the shutter, shade, or blind, like available colors, louver sizes, or hidden tilt-rods.

Once a decision is made, we’ll get precise measurements of your windows. We usually measure the windows in each room—even if you only want to fit treatments for a portion of the house. We do this because many of our customers want to order additional window treatments without another consultation. At the end of the appointment, we will walk you through a detailed, written quote, so there are no phantom numbers on your invoice.

Alt text: Sunburst Shutters van at customer's home.

Red Flags For A Subpar In-Home Shutter Consultation

While we are confident that Sunburst will perform professional in-home consultation, there are some actions you should never experience from any window treatment company. After all, the quality of your sales representative usually equals the quality of the product.

First, your consultant should treat your home with respect. He or she should show up on time, with all samples requested, and offer to cover their shoes with shoe booties. Your rep should always have product and company brochures and pricing details.

In regards to pricing, you should be given a full written quote. Don’t accept a large pricing range, scrawled on a scrap piece of paper or the back of a business card. And never accept pricing estimates before they take any window measurements. You need to understand how much the final bill will cost you. If an estimate ever seems unbelievable, simply ask for references and search for the store’s online reviews.

Find The Perfect Window Treatments During Your Sunburst In-Home Consultation

At Sunburst, we strive to match our clients’ windows with a quality window treatment. Our salespeople are said to be courteous, professional, and knowledgeable. And we’ll never allow any price or craftmanship surprises later on. Just contact us at 888-611-2474 to set up your in-home consultation.

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