What To Expect At Your Chicago In-Home Shutter Consultation

March 26, 2019

To help you choose the appropriate window covering for your rooms, some companies, like Sunburst, send out a rep for an in-home consultation. By bringing samples to you, we can show you how different shutters, blinds, and shades would look with your decor. This conversation makes it easier to envision your options and makes you feel confident in your decision.

But what happens during an in-home consultation? And how can bringing samples to your home help you better choose the perfect window treatment? Even though every in-home consultation is individualized, there are some things that you should see.

Stepping Through A Typical In-Home Shutters Consultation

A couple viewing window treatment samples.

Start by arranging an appointment by contacting your local representative. If you already can picture the perfect coverings for you window, like our Polywood® plantation shutter, then we will make sure to show you different options available for your preferred choice. We will also offer alternatives, so you can be sure that your windows match your ideal.

After we come to your house, we’ll sit down and figure out what you need in a window treatment. We’ll cover issues like your lighting, privacy, and energy efficiency needs, and we’ll pay special attention to hard-to-reach or specialty-shaped windows. Your rep will also inquire about how the room is used and what style you are trying to acheive. We want to fulfill your final vision, so the more information, the better.

You may have to see many different products until we uncover the best window treatment for the room. Most people want to look at a few different product lines, like comparing Polywood with our real-wood Ovation® shutters or choosing the best stain to coordinate with the walls. We’ll also find all the options available for the treatment, like available colors, louver sizes, or hidden tilt-rods.

Once you make your pick, we’ll find precise measurements of your windows. We will typically measure the windows in every room in your home—even if you only need to fit treatments for a portion of the house. We get multiple measurements because a lot of our clients want to be able to order additional shutters or blinds without another consultation. Finally, we will guide you through a detailed, written quote, so there are no surprises on your invoice.

Alt text: Sunburst Shutters van in customer's driveway.

Red Flags For A Poor In-Home Shutter Consultation

While we are confident that Sunburst will give you professional in-home consultation, there are some actions you should never experience from any window treatment rep. As they say, the quality of the consultation reflects the quality of the window treatments.

Above all else, your consultant should treat your home with respect. He or she should arrive when promised, with all samples requested, and offer to protect your floors with shoe booties. Your consultant should always give you product and company brochures and pricing information.

In regards to pricing, you should always get a detailed written quote. Don’t accept a large pricing range, scrawled on a product brochure or the back of a business card. And always reject pricing estimates before they take any window measurements. You want to know how much you should pay and why. Also, look up references and online reviews before you place an order.

Sunburst’s In-Home Consultation Is The Beginning To The Perfect Window Treatment

At Sunburst, we work hard to match our clients’ windows with a quality window treatment. Our salespeople strive to be courteous, professional, and knowledgeable. And we will never leave you without an itemized pricing estimate and product literatutre. Just phone your local Sunburst rep at 847-250-6544 to schedule your in-home consultation.

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