Windows Siding Doors Exterior Remodeling Serving Middlesex County, MA and Surrounding Areas Seven Questions to Ask W hen H iring an E x t erior R emodel i ng C ontractor in Massachusett s By Tim O Sullivan Owner, O Sullivan Installs Where quality and communication make the difference
A Note from Tim O Sullivan Dear friend, We hope you find this guide useful. It contains answers to the questions people often ask us when planning to make any updates or changes to their home. Doing your research before you hire someone is always a good idea. And today, people are doing a lot of research before they hire a remodeler and I couldn t be happier. The more you know, the better. I have worked for many companies that never gave me the feeling that they were doing their best work. Some companies offered inexpensive products and couldn t stand behind the quality when problems arose. Then there were others that were more of a sales pitch than a legitimate remodeling company, working to close the sale and not nurture the customer relationships and finalize a great project. O Sullivan Installs is able to offer a better product and even better customer experience because I know the need for high quality, guaranteed remodeling services and excellent communication. I hope you find this guide useful in your decision to hire a remodeling company. And, if I can help in any way, I look forward to being in touch. Best regards, Tim O Sullivan Owner, O Sullivan Installs 2
Seven Questions to Ask Before You Remodel Your Home 1. GETTING STARTED 2. INSURANCE & LICENSE 3.REPUTATION & TRUST 4. GUARANTEE What is your process for consultation, design, and estimating the project? Are you licensed? Do you have insurance? What happens if someone gets hurt on the job? What is your reputation with customers? Our s is extremely important to us, and a company reputation should be important to you as well. What is your workmanship guarantee? This part of the guide will detail our specific guarantee and tell you what you should ask for in a guarantee from a contractor. 5. SERVICE What kind of service can we expect? Remodeling your home while living there can be stressful. Here s how we make it as easy on you as possible and what you can expect from us. 6. EXPERTISE Can you show me projects you have recently accomplished? We love to show off our work! Find out more about our recent projects. 7. THE TEAM Who will be working on my project? Our team has extensive experience with home improvement projects. We re happy to introduce you to them. WARNING SIGNS Are there things to look out for? Not all contractors are created equal. We ll help you to see the warning signs of a weaker contractor. The topics in this guide provide advice to you about to the types of questions you should ask before having any sort of work done on your home, and the types of answers you should expect to hear from a qualified remodeling contractor. Getting complete answers to each of these questions is critical to a successful project. Tim O Sullivan Owner, O Sullivan Installs 3
1. Getting Started Q. What is your process for consultation, design, and estimating the job? A. At O Sullivan Installs, we schedule your FREE No Obligation In-Home Consultation at your convenience. Your appointment will be confirmed with a phone call and email notification. Our experienced Consultant will arrive at your home on time and ready to listen to your ideas, concerns. During your FREE Consultation, we work directly with you to plan the best option for your exterior remodeling project. We understand one size does not fit all, and respect individuals desires to remodel. We work with your family s lifestyle and budget to fit the remodel project for your siding, windows and doors. 4
2. Insurance & License Q. Are you licensed? Do you have insurance? What happens if someone gets hurt on the job? A. Yes, we are fully licensed and insured in the State of Massachusetts. Before hiring a contractor, you should ask if they are licensed to work in your state, and ensure that they are fully covered by insurance for liability and workers compensation. Stay away from any contractor who hesitates to give you this kind of information. O Sullivan Installs carries Worker s Compensation insurance with no exclusions for any of our employees or owners. Anyone at your home will be covered in the event of an accident. We also have an unrestricted supervisors license, ensuring we are able to handle any unforeseen issues that arise, even beyond the scope of work we outline or products we sell. You can be assured, any work O Sullivan Installs conducts at your home, you are well protected. We also have general liability insurance and the company is a registered home improvement contractor and a licensed construction supervisor. ARE WE COVERED? 5
3. Reputation & Trust Q. How do I know I can trust you? A. Regardless of the exterior contractor you choose or the work being done, be sure to do the following: 1. Ask for examples of your contractor s work. Any reputable contractor will be proud of their projects, and they ll have examples at their fingertips. 2. Check online. Most well-established contractors will have websites and Facebook pages where you can learn a lot about them. 3. Ask for references from recent customers. Reputable and established businesses will be ready to offer two or more reviews. At O Sullivan Installs, we are proud of our accomplishments and accolades. Here's the Proof: 2013 2014 6
4. The Guarantee Q. What is your warranty and/or workmanship guarantee? A. Let's face it, any exterior home improvement project can have its challenges. Sometimes things go wrong, or you are faced with the unexpected. We believe that how those issues are handled play a major factor in the success of a project and, more importantly, your satisfaction as a client. At O Sullivan Installs, we offer a Lifetime Warranty on all our products and a 10 Year Workmanship Guarantee on all our installations. This means we promise to do the work right the first time, so you never have to worry. We only work with manufacturers that ensure a seamless warranty process; so if there are any issues, our customers will not be inconvenienced with a strenuous process. 7
5. Service Q. What makes your services better than those of your competitors? A. Any exterior remodeler you reach out to should be able to easily answer this question and provide solid evidence as to why they are the better option. Communication: At O Sullivan Installs, we have a very detailed sales process to ensure everything is clear, concise and understood before you sign the contract. Follow Up: With any project, you expect a contractor to hear and listen to your concerns promptly. We do just that, addressing issues as soon as possible. Solid Pricing: You will not feel as if you are being taken advantage of, because our pricing is competitive and fair. After Project Service: In the unlikely event you have an issue with your installation, we will provide peace of mind, speed and efficiency with our 10 Year Workmanship Guarantee and address your concerns. Consistency: From the sales meeting to project completion, our process remains consistent, providing you with the confidence in our installation services. Worksite Cleanliness: We strive to keep your home clean and tidy during the remodel. Our crew is attentive and courteous of your indoor and outdoor space during the remodel. High Quality Products: We are the exclusive dealer locally for ProVia Collection windows and doors, and offer Alside Prodigy Siding and Soft-Lite vinyl windows for our projects. As such, we offer full service installs on your exterior remodeling projects. 8
5. Service: Testimonials Q. Do you have customer reviews or testimonials you can share? A. Of course! See the reviews we ve been given, below. For window, door, and siding installs, Tim O'Sullivan and his crew are the best. I won't go too deep into details, but they installed my insulated siding, new windows (including a bow window), and door. Everything came out great and they did the work in the winter snow. From the start to the finish the crew was on top of it and Tim (the owner) was either on site or communicated everyday. They took care of all the little extras and did the minor changes without charging extra or writing up a change order. I can't praise them enough for their professionalism or excellence. Joe L., Burlington, MA The crew was totally professional. You could see they take a lot of pride in what they do. They worked in very adverse conditions some days (bitter cold, snow) and always had a smile on their face. They found rot in some unexpected places and went above and beyond in communicating the issues to us, describing our options, and providing a solution we could afford. In fact they did not even charge us extra for the additional work needed to fix the wood rot. I can't say enough about Tim & his crew. Jim H., Acton, MA Quality was excellent. Finished as scheduled. And right on budget. All with a friendly smile. Todd G., Sandown, NH 9
6. Expertise Q. Can you show me a project that you ve done recently? A. Absolutely! We encourage you to visit our website at osullivaninstalls.com to see some of our recent exterior remodeling projects and view our customer testimonials. DOORS 10
6. Expertise (continued) SIDING WINDOWS 11
6. Expertise: Services Q. What type of home improvement services do you offer? A. Our team specializes in exterior remodeling projects such as window replacement, door upgrades, and siding installation. Windows At O Sullivan Installs, we are the exclusive dealer for Aeris TM wood windows made by ProVia, as well as a dealer for Soft-Lite vinyl windows. We offer offer full service installs on your window replacement projects. New windows are sure to increase energy efficiency and prevent the elements from entering your home. Doors O Sullivan Installs is the only ProVia Door certified installer in Middlesex County, MA and surrounding areas, and an exclusive dealer for their Embark TM doors. Having completed specialized manufacturer training, we install to their specifications, ensuring you receive professional-class installations. Door replacement projects are an option for homeowners to increase security, safety and appearance of homes. Siding New siding can make your home look amazing, but siding is about more than just aesthetics; it s critical for protecting your home s structural integrity. The energy efficiency, beauty and durability of Alside Prodigy Siding and LP engineered wood siding will leave your home optimized for anything nature can dish out. Partnered with the insulation company, your siding includes a lifetime warranty. 12
7. The Team Q. Who is going to be working on my project? A. With over 20 years experience, O Sullivan Installs is the premier choice for your exterior home improvement in Middlesex County, MA and the surrounding areas. Specializing in windows, siding and doors, we offer a wide range of industry recognized products and award winning installation, all at surprisingly reasonable pricing. At O Sullivan Installs we don t dictate how your home improvement project will go; we work with you to plan the best options and scheduling to work within your family life and budget. Our full team has a strong reputation for quality work and customer satisfaction, second to none. Where quality and communication make the difference Tim O Sullivan Owner, O Sullivan Installs 13
Warning Signs Q. Are there any warning signs I should be aware of when hiring an exterior remodeling professional? STOP A. Here are a few warning signs: No business phone number and no website (often signs of a one-person company). No verifiable insurance always ask for proof of insurance! Also, be sure the insurance is current! Provides few or no references, including names, phone numbers, and addresses. Comparatively low prices this could mean missing scope of work or inexperience. Asks for all or most of the total price to be paid up front. Asks for the homeowner to apply for and obtain permits. Unfortunately, the actions of many remodelers gives the rest of us a bad name. Homeowners should be cautious when hiring a contractor. Asking the right questions and looking out for a few warning signs will go a long way toward hiring the right company to complete a project. Be sure that you re getting the quality you deserve in workmanship, quality of materials, and service. 14
Contractor Hiring Checklist By doing appropriate research and following the steps in this guide, you should have no trouble narrowing your search down to 2 3 contractors to consider. Keep in mind that contractors are running a business, so be conscious of their time particularly if they offer a complimentary consultation or quote. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Print the contractor hiring checklist below to use as a guide during your consultation meetings. Rate each category either with a check or a rating from 1 10. WHAT TO LOOK FOR: O SULLIVAN INSTALLS CONTRACTOR A CONTRACTOR B Appropriate Insurance, Licensing, Training Solid Reputation and Positive Reviews Warranty or Workmanship Guarantee Competitive Advantage Experience and Expertise, Past Project Portfolio An Experienced, Professional Team Measures Customer Satisfaction with Transparency Contractor Warning Signs NONE 15
Next Steps Get High Quality Exterior Remodeling Services from the Pros at O Sullivan Installs, Serving Middlesex County and the Surrounding Areas. CONTACT US AT FREE In-Home Consultation Call (978) 222-7028 Email us at info@osullivaninstalls.com Schedule your FREE No-Obligation, In-Home Consultation We promise to get back to you very quickly! Best regards, Tim O Sullivan Owner, O Sullivan Installs 16