How to recognize competition installers just coming off Their latest project
1. A stack of empty pizza boxes in the corner of the shop.
2. Empty cans of Red Bull or other high-caffeine beverage filling the trash bin.
3. Eyes that look like egg yolks floating in a glass of tomato juice.
4. A layer of sawdust on everything in the shop.
5. A hole in the wall where a tool was flung in a fit of frustration.
6. Clothing that looks a bit stiff from all of the fiberglass resin that hardened in the fabric.
7. Black electrical tape that takes the place of Band-Aids over cuts.
8. A stack of "things that didn't quite work out" discarded in a pile.
9. A pile of polyfill next to a roll of Ozite carpet in a corner for those 15-minute naps.
10. All the fire extinguishers are empty (not from a fire, but from mental stimulation).
Care And Feeding
1. Meet the installer personally and discuss what you want done.
2. Learn about the installer's education and certification credentials.
3. Ask for and listen to the installer's suggestions or alternative ideas.
4. Get a clear picture of the installation charges and required accessories.
5. Show the installer some appreciation, if only to offer to be a referral for other potential clients. I find a case of beer to be a well-received form of recognition.
6. Remember, if you pay peanuts - you get monkeys! There are cheap and premium versions of the same job, so decide if this is a "get by" job or "built to last." Free installs are free for a reason.
7. Allow ample time. Installers always fall behind and the stress of an impatient customer causes mistakes.
8. Don't keep changing your ideas while the install is under way. Set up the plan first and then stick to it.
9. Choose a shop that matches the level of install - a big box store will be less in tune with a competition system than an independent shop with competition history.
10. Get a detailed list of everything you're paying for - in writing!