How to Buy Shutters

Guarantees:

It is vital to have guarantees on the products in case of a fault. Roller shutters should never be purchased if there is no guarantee on the product or if the guarantees aren’t long enough.

Longer guarantees are better for the buyer. It is essential that a company provides guarantees on; parts & materials, labour and the motors if any.

The company that provides the most comprehensive guarantees would be the best to choose as the company has faith in their product and it protects the buyer.

Also watch out for warranties, as they do not cover the whole product as guarantees do. In Most cases, you will be paying more for shutters where a company’s guarantee is more comprehensive.

The Reason you need Shutters:

What is the reason you are purchasing roller shutters? Do you need to reduce the noise pollution in and around your home, control the light entering your windows, control the climate or temperature of rooms or the entire home, have shutters for added security to your home, or do you simply need roller shutters for added privacy?

Look at why you need the roller shutters and then assess whether the company, who you will be purchasing the roller shutters off, can provide these benefits with the window roller shutters they provide.

Do the window roller shutters actually provide security? Not all shutters are built and installed the same i.e. look at the automatic locks on the shutters and accessible securing points.

Price Buying:

Buying purely on price is not always the best option. The cheapest shutters will most likely not be the best option; you get what you pay for.

When buying the cheapest window roller shutters, your short term gain is fulfilled; having shutters, but your long term gain will not be fulfilled. Quality, guarantees and service are all sacrificed.

Dealing with the wrong company may lead to you ending up spending more money on the shutters than intended. The company may have a long lasting list of service calls, shorter guarantees thus more money spent on extra service calls which also results in more of your down time wasted. You are then not getting a product that will fulfil your needs in the long term and the roller shutters may not provide the solution that you bought them for after many years.

The end result is, you will be spending more money than the initial investment. Thus when looking at the various prices of each company, look at the reasons why they are charging more/less than competitors.

Extra Features:

It is a good idea to look at the extra features offered by all the different companies. When buying Roller Shutters, it is likely that you may need extras to enhance the usage and benefits of the window roller shutter system you choose.

The colours and installation methods of a company can be the difference on the finished look of the window roller shutters on your home.

The locking mechanisms and shutter profiles can enhance the solutions that shutters provide such as noise reduction, insulation and security.

Other extra features such as the control systems offered, battery backups, code pads, automatic cleaning brushes, remote controls and manual override systems can make shutters more user-friendly and adds peace of mind.

Thus, when looking for which company to purchase window roller shutters from, observe the extras available so that you can enhance the benefits available if you please.

Quality:

To find out about a company’s quality, it is best to check a company’s processes, their quality control methods and their objectives.

Service of the Company:

It is best to do business with a company that has excellent service. As with any product, shutters are not invincible: problems may happen. Thus when buying shutters, it is ideal to do business with a company that will look after the customer.

The best company would be the one that also takes care of the customer after the sale. This may be possible to check via testimonials, word of mouth or asking major clients they have done business with (as indicated on their websites).

Professionalism of the Company:

Another aspect to look at when choosing which company to deal with is the professionalism of the company. How they treat the customer is important, as this is how you will be treated.

Also observing the policies of the company, its procedures in regards to work & quality of work i.e. check if the company has proper systems in place and criteria to fulfil. The employees and the way the company deals with the customer, prior, during and after the sale is an aspect to consider also.

Looking at the client database a company; more business generally means a company is professional in its field i.e. checking what scope of work the company has achieved in the past.

Another way to check the professionalism of a company is to see if a company is a member of any accredited associations. Most importantly, is if a company holds a security license; a company which holds a security license is clear of criminal records.

It would be a good idea to make a list of the questions that you need to ask a company to determine whether you should choose that company, and whether that company is the best company to fill your needs.

Quotes:

It is ideal to get more than one quote if you are not satisfied with the one you have. It is good to check the different prices and different options available from each company to decipher which company is giving you the best deal and the best product.

This is also a good way to see if one company is too expensive. The best way to do this is to ring up another company to do a price check. Here you would ask for an over-the-phone quote, giving the company the window measurements.

Quote Format:

When receiving a quote from a company, ensure that the quote is a fully written down comprehensive quote with a company letterhead. This however, will not be the case when an over-the-phone quote is required.

The company must also provide brochures on the products and brochures on the company profile. Beware of a company who does not supply all this.

Capability:

One important aspect to consider when looking for a company to purchase roller shutters from, is if the company is able/capable to do the work you require.

Not all jobs and installations are straight forward. For example, you may want your roller shutters installed on a bay window, on a window on the second floor of your home or a shutter installed in the eaves. Not all companies are capable of installing window roller shutters in eaves, on a bay window or on a double storey home.

Punctuality:

Once again, not only are the window roller shutters important, but also the service of the company; punctuality is vital, so your time is not being wasted.

Punctuality and timeliness for quotes and installation means your time (the customer) is not wasted. This should also be considered when choosing window roller shutters.

Parties Present during Quotation:

All decision-makers of the home should be present during an on-site quotation. This will allow a definite decision to be made at the time of the quote.

In the case where you are a tenant, and are renting, it is advisable that the landlord be present during the quote, especially if the landlord is funding the investment in window roller shutters. This can eliminate any time wasting for any parties involved.

Credibility of the Company:

It is advisable to check the credibility of the company you are thinking of dealing with. The first thing to do would be to call Consumer Affairs to check the company’s history. The second thing to do would be to check the company’s previous jobs/customers and major clients. Lastly, obtain the company’s last three customers. References from the customers would be ideal to see whether the experience with the company was first-rate or not.

Australian Made:

In today’s economy, it is nearly impossible to get 100% Australian made products. Therefore, it is good to find a company who achieves as close to this as possible. Bear in mind, that in some cases, it is more beneficial for a company to import certain parts from overseas, as the parts may be of better quality such as with motors.