We have needed a sliding door for several years. We looked at Lowes, Menards and Home Depot, and the floor models were so shabby, we decided to have a home consult with Pella Windows. They have The Top of the Line, and they also have a couple lines below that which are more affordable. Our home is not top of the line. We have about a Wal-mart level house, so we didn't go top of the line, but we still got the A Team when it came to installers.
Two years ago, we had a flood and our insurance company hired the A Team to come in and repair everything. Unfortunately, when our A Team contractor hired his workers, he called in every Tom Dick and Harry that he knew from the sticks. They were not the A Team. Or the B Team. So I've got a wide range to compare.
The A Team puts booties on even after you tell them you don't mind if they track in a little dirt. Then they roll out sheets to cover your floor. They politely talk to your pets and don't notice the Pop-Tart crumbs stuck to your shoulder.
Team B- they make snide remards about How You Took out the stopper in the sink when it quit working (B team plumber).
Team A vaccuums up dust as they go, and carries off the scraps in their OWN trash can! Wow!
Team B dents your gutters with their ladder, burns a hole in your towel and leaves drips of solder on the floor.
Team B hires help that cuts trim directly on your new vinyl flooring as they are installing it, then don't say anything when they cut into your flooring. And don't say anything when they notice a hole in said flooring. Sigh.
We used to be Do-It-Yourselfers. Then we hired the people we flagged down off neighbor jobs. Then we found people in the phone book. (those were actually good at first but they got bought out by B Teams- go figure).
Signs of the A Team: Clean Uniform Shirts all clean and pressed even if they are about to do a sloppy job.
Politeness
Often a manager will come along to introduce the employees, and let you know to contact him if there are any problems (at this point, you may be panicing about the price of the job- don't).
A Team doesn't run anybody down.
they are proud of their company, and it shines through. They don't make negative comments about you, your job, or the people that came before. I have no idea why that is- but if the guy working on your house tells you he is the only one in the area that does the job and most people won't look at it, tell him you will let him know when you are ready and go find someone else.
The A Team brings enough people to do the job from the start. Team B calls in a few "buddies" at 4pm, and you are so happy they got extra help you don't care that the buddies were sitting at the local bar all day waiting for a call. (it happened)
Hire The A Team. It may cost more, but it is almost always warranteed. You are going to be happy at the end. I've never been unhappy with the A Team. On the B Team jobs, I just sigh and plan to redo it when it falls apart. Houses need enough repairs without having to be redone soon.
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