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All jobs over $12,000.00 (including GST) require a
certificate of insurance under New South Wales Government Legislation. Even if your job is
under $12,000.00 you should ask the contractor if they have been approved with an insurer
for H.O.W Insurance. Insurance companies have strict financial controls for issuing of
H.O.W Insurance and if a contractor is not eligible for insurance this may be an
indication of their financial position.
Windowline provides job specific insurance for
all jobs over $12,000.
Some replacement window companies only offer products
from a single manufacturer. Companies with limited access to product will often make
"recommendations" based on what they have available, rather than what's suitable
for your home.
At Windowline, we are not aligned with a single
manufacturer, but rather deal with all leading manufacturers... which allows us to make
recommendations based on your requirements, rather than a limited product range. It's
impossible for any one manufacturer to offer a range of products to suit all applications.
Window manufacturing and window installation are two
completely different areas.
At Windowline, we do not manufacture but source
our requirements from Australia's leading window manufacturers, including Trend Windows, G
James Glass and Aluminium& fabricators of Vantage Aluminium Joinery.
Some companies are involved in all types of home
improvement activity including siding, guttering & balustrading. Because these
companies are trying to cover so many areas, they often lack the expertise acquired when
you just specialise in one thing.
We are proud to say at Windowline that we only
install replacement windows and doors of the highest quality
Using a standard size frame will usually cost less, but
the finished job will suffer, as current standard windows sizes just don't fit older
homes. In order to get a quality finish, it's essential to have the new frames
custom-made..
Don't let someone talk you into using standard
sizes as a way of saving a few dollars. Once you have placed an order with Windowline, you
will be contacted by one of our check measures The check-measurer's job is to calculate
the exact sizes needed for your custom made replacement frames. Every window and door we
use at Windowline is made to measure by one of our quality suppliers.
In some organisations there is no one to carry out this
vital role or it's left up to the sales representatives.
At Windowline, we have a dedicated site
supervisor as part of the production team. It's the site supervisor's job to make sure
your job is carried out to the exacting standards we expect from our installers.
You should check to see how thing are handled once you
have placed an order. Is there a set procedure in place, and whom do you talk to if you
need information regarding your job.
Once you have placed an order with Windowline, we
send you a confirmation letter detailing exactly how we will be handling your project. We
also provide the details of company personnel who will be available to answer any
questions you have in relation to your project. Once your quote has been converted to a
job, the responsibility for planning and installation passes to our dedicated team in the
production department. Their role is to handle all aspects of the installation process,
and of course the sales representative is also available should you or production need
clarification regarding any part of the specification.
Guarantees offered by other campanies generally vary
from One Year to Three.
We offer a Lifetime Guarantee on all residential
projects (excluding front entry doors on unit blocks). We believe our guarantee to be the
best you'll find anywhere in Australia.
Most companies offer a seven-year guarantee with a
limited three-year guarantee on moving parts.
We are so confident of the superior quality of
the products we provide that we offer a Lifetime guarantee on all residential aluminium
window & door products. That's double the industry standard.
This is a fair question to ask any contractor. You hear
so many horror stories about the building industry these days and I'm sure you don't want
to be a victim in one of them.
At Windowline we have an impeccable score card in
this area. Your satisfaction is our primary aim as the foundation of our company is
referrals from existing customer, just like you.
The AWA is the peak industry body for the window
industry, and all member companies are bound to the association's code of ethics &
conduct. But not all companies are members!
Windowline is a member of the AWA and we only
purchase products from suppliers who are also members. Fabricator members of the AWA must
have all their products tested for compliance with AS 2047 the Australian standard for
windows and doors. In addition to product testing, fabricator members must also
participate in the association's third party audit program.
Most companies will tell you what is included, but make
sure you have a clear understanding of what hasn't been allowed for.
In dealing with Windowline, you know exactly
what's included, so there are no unexpected surprises. Our contract spells out the full
extent of work and any exclusions in plain English.
You should ask for and be able to get references of
jobs of a similar type of work. The best way to see the difference between contractors is
to look at jobs that are complete and judge for yourself.
Our representatives will happily arrange for you
to talk to one of our many satisfied customers.
DO ask questions and have the contractor explain
details in terms you understand, until you feel comfortable that you know how they plan to
install the products. The details of how many products are installed can be the difference
in price and quality that you want.
Our sales representatives will customise the
installation detail to suit your needs and the construction of your home.
In addition to Home Owners Warranty Insurance,
companies should also have Workers Compensation and Public liability Insurance cover in
place. Certificates of currency should be available on request to substantiate
insurance cover.
Windowline has all necessary insurance in place,
and in addition to public liability insurance, we also carry products liability insurance.
Strict internal controls also ensure that our installers have all necessary insurance.
There are two issues, first the length of time to have
the frames delivered to site and the second is the duration of the job. If someone tells
you they can do the job in a short period of time, question how that's possible. You may
find they have no other work or even worse, are planning to use standard size frames.
Depending on the product, our delivery time is
usually around 6 weeks from the time we receive your contract and deposit. We start work
as soon as the frames are delivered and work through until the job is finished. We'll
never start more than we can finish in a day so you never have to worry about having a
hole in your wall overnight. Whatever existing frames we remove, we absolutely guarantee
to have the new frames installed in the same way.
When the job is basically finished, there should be a
process in place to look over the finished installation and record any areas of concern
you may have. If there are any outstanding items, there should be a process in place to
get the job to 100% complete.
At Windowline, we provide you with a completion
check list and customer feedback sheet for use at the end of your job. At the completion
of your job we ask you to note any areas that you feel need attention and ask for your
comments on the overall customer service that you've received in your dealing with our
company. The completion checklist can be given to our installer or sent to the office in
the reply paid envelope provided. Your feedback sheet is in addition to a completion
checklist that all our installers complete at the end of every project. The installer
feedback sheet is sent to the production department on completion of the installation and
deals with issues like missing screens etc.
Department of fair trading records show that a very
high percentage of new building businesses fail within the first five years of trading.
Windowline has been trading successfully since
1989. Members of our management team have been in the replacement window business for over
twenty-five years. There's no substitute for experience.
Does the company have sufficient resources to carry out
your project professionally and with the level of service you want?
At Windowline, we are small enough to care, but
large enough to undertake just about any size project, while providing exemplary customer
service.
Occupational health and Safety is a big issue these
days. All companies should comply with OH&S requirements and have safe work procedures
in place to protect their workers and your family.
We have a documented safe work system in place
that complies with current OH&S requirements. All Windowline personnel have been
indoctrinated into our safe work system. Daily risk assessments are carried out to ensure
your safety.
Some companies do not have sufficient work to maintain
a permanent team of installers and will have to use outside contractors.
Because of the volume of work we undertake we are
able to maintain a permanent team of expert installers and as we only install replacement
windows and doors our installers have extensive experience in all replacement window
installation situations. Any new installers are vetted and undergo thorough training in
the Windowline system.
All building work generates some disruption and dust,
however a little care on the part of the installer can make all the difference.
Our installers take care to minimise the
disruption caused during the installation process. Drop sheets are used throughout the job
and all rubbish is removed on completion of the job.
Some companies may be offering a seemingly low price,
but remember the lowest price is not always the best value for money. A good price is one
where you are receiving quality products, expert installation and a strong Guarantee.
At Windowline, we decided a long time ago that we
would much rather explain price than have to make excuses about quality.
Noise levels are becoming a major issue and the
selection of correct framing systems can have a significant impact on the reduction of
noise inside your home. Many companies are producing windows and doors that have not been
tested for acoustic performance and their installation may have little or no effect on the
reduction of noise levels.
At Windowline we deal with fabricators who have
tested their frames for acoustic performance. Many different framing and glazing options
are available for reducing noise transmission.
Remember... ask any contractor you're thinking of using
these questions BEFORE you sign anything! |
