What to expect from a window replacement consultation with Southwest Exteriors

It’s finally come time for your windows to be replaced in your home. Maybe you’ve noticed they won’t stay up when you try and open them, they are looking a little worn, or maybe you are just ready for an upgrade and a change. 

While looking for a company to choose to replace your windows, you can be overwhelmed with options, reviews, and services that you don’t even know where to begin. Your home is your safe space, and it’s a big deal to trust a stranger to come in and tell you what you need and how much you are going to pay. 

With Southwest Exteriors, that is not our mission. We don’t want to come in and act like we know what’s best for you. When you allow us into your home, our sole purpose is to serve you and accommodate your wants for your home. 

We understand that it is a privilege to be welcomed into your home and are honored when you consider us for a window replacement or other home improvement service. 

In this article, we want to outline specifically what you will expect from a window consultation with us from start to finish. Our goal during this consultation is for you to be thoroughly educated on Southwest Exteriors and our products and services, and your trust in us is most important.

So, you’ve set aside the time to schedule a consultation with one of our design consultants, and the day comes. What is exactly going to happen during this appointment?

1. We’ll establish the agenda for the consultation

Once we have settled into the area you would like for most of the consultation to take place, the first thing we want to do is establish what to expect during the consultation. Your design consultant will wear a mask the entirety of your consultation and respect your distance. We can chat anywhere in your home or outside if you prefer.

We ask that you set aside at least 90 minutes for the consultation. The reason we ask for this time is that there are many product and design options, and we want to be able to go into detail about each of them and answer all questions you have so that you can make the best decision.

Know that the consultation may take more or less than this time, but we ask for these 90 minutes as a base time. 

2. We’ll assess all windows you’re want to be replaced

After establishing the agenda, we will take a walk around the interior and exterior of your home to look at your windows. This will help us see what condition your windows are in so we can help you better understand how well your windows are functioning. 

Things we will look at are the caulking, balance which keeps the window up when you open it, glazing beads which are molding around the window that holds the glass together, and the overall functionality of the windows. 

Another measure we will check on the windows is the energy-efficiency of them. We use an EDMT window analyzer that measures essentially how much sun heat is coming through your windows. Later during the consultation, we will use the same tool on our sample windows to show how much heat they block and compare it to your windows. 

3. We’ll establish your goals for your project

This is your consultation and your home, not ours. We want to define at the beginning exactly what your goals are for your window replacement, talk about what you like and don’t like about your current windows, and what you are thinking for the future. 

If your goal is to have your windows replaced most quickly and least expensively, Southwest Exteriors might not be for you. If you’re looking for high-quality windows and a company that will stick with you for your entire life in your home, then Southwest Exteriors might be right up your alley.

During our consultation, we want you to understand the quality and care we put into our products, services, and the process the whole way through. 

4. We want you to know who Southwest Exteriors is

Our company was founded on two simple principles: love and excellence. We strive to serve all of our clients with love and excellence above all else and want to establish that ideal for you. 

We work off of compassion, craftsmanship, communication, and cleanliness, and want to assure you that we are with you through whatever you need.

5. We’ll share all about window manufacturers, types, and styles of windows

Now, we get into the details of all the window manufacturers we work with, the types of windows they have to offer, and anything you want to know about any of them. We want you to be fully educated on the qualities of each manufacturer and the windows they offer, including window type and energy-efficiency of them all. 

While the manufacturer of a window is important, what the window is made of is of higher priority when choosing your replacement windows. You can choose from vinyl, vinyl composite, aluminum, wood, and wood clad. We want you to know that during the time we are going through products with you, we will not force one option over the other. 

The decision on what type of windows you want is completely up to you. We are just there to educate you on all your options and help with your decision along the way.

6. We’ll take exact measurements of all windows

The first walk-through is to get an overall idea of what your windows look like. The second walk-through is to take exact measurements of each window you would like replaced to be able to custom-order every single window for your home. 

The reason we take exact measurements is to ensure that the windows will fit perfectly. The foundation of your home shifts from the time it is built, so while you may have a 4 ft. x 6 ft. window put in during the construction of your home, 10 years later it could have expanded or shifted one way or another while the foundation of your home settled. 

7. You’ll see real samples of the windows you are interested in

After getting through all of the technical aspects of a window replacement, the time comes to show real window samples of the manufacturer and window type you choose. Each design consultant carries a mobile showroom with window samples from each manufacturer so you can see exactly what the details of the window look like including locks, grids, finish, and how the window works.

You can also look at color swatches for each manufacturer to choose which you like best and imagine exactly what your replacement windows will look like. 

8. We’ll present you with an exact project price

The final step in the consultation is presenting you with an exact price down to the penny on what your window replacement will cost with Southwest Exteriors. The price is calculated by adding the cost of each window together. This makes it simple for you to remove any window from the project if you are looking to lower the cost or add any windows if you like. 

You will be given a seven-day and 30-day price for your project. This includes the cost for material, labor, and installation. 

We also guarantee that the price you commit to will not change when it comes time to complete the project. There will be no hidden fees sprung on you prior, during, or after installation.

Now that you know what to expect during a window replacement consultation with Southwest Exteriors, is there anything you need to prepare before the consultation?

3 things to prepare for your window consultation

Now that you know exactly what will happen during your window consultation, here are three key things to prepare ahead of time to get the most out of your appointment.

Make sure all decision-makers will be present. 

There are many product and design options when it comes to your project. We want to ensure that all questions can be thoroughly answered in order to present an exact quote for your project.

Set aside those 90 minutes, distraction-free.

As discussed before, we ask this much time for your consultation to thoroughly go through all of the information we have listed above. However, if you do not have this much time, we respect however much time you are able to spend with us, and we will serve your needs as best we can during this time.

Prepare questions to ask.

Any home remodeling is a big decision and takes a lot of time and consideration. We are there to be honest, transparent, and educational for you to understand all aspects of a window replacement project. We want you to know all about the product you are going to invest in and want to answer any and all questions you have

Ready for your window replacement consultation?

Whether you’ve already scheduled a consultation with Southwest Exteriors or thinking about setting one, you know what to expect beforehand. Remember to have all decision-makers present, allow for the appointment to be around 90 minutes, and be prepared to ask questions. 

Going into a consultation, you want to make sure you are getting all of the information you need to feel confident in your project and trust the company you choose.

The biggest takeaway we want you to know is that we are there to serve you. We are honored to be a guest in your home and for you to have considered us to complete your project. 

Looking to get your windows replaced? Fill out the form on our website to schedule a free in-home consultation or a virtual consultation via Zoom. We look forward to serving you!