Once you’ve decided to invest in custom shutters and you’ve chosen your company, you will probably be asked to schedule an in-home consultation with a sales professional to discuss your options. You may be thinking “why do I need someone to come into my home and sell me on products I don’t really need?” or “I found a photo of the style of shutters I want – can’t they just come in to measure without an extra consultation?”
You may even feel like an in-home consultation is an inconvenience for you. However, these meetings are one of the most important parts of your custom shutter purchase. At Avalon Shutters, we like to say our consultations are us bringing the showroom to your door.
Why Do I Need an In-Home Consultation?
Since all shutters are custom, a trained professional should take the time to learn what your goal and vision is for your home. They will walk you through the entire process and find out what elements are important to you. Consultants will be able to tell you if your vision will truly work with the window shapes and styles you have in your home.
What Happens During My In-Home Consultation?
In-home consultations vary by company. At Avalon Shutters, our in-home consultation usually runs about 60-90 minutes. We’ve broken it down for you below so you know what to expect from an in-home consultation.
INTRODUCTORY CONVERSATION
In-home consultations vary by company. A thorough in-home consultation usually runs about 60-90 minutes. This gives time to go over all the custom option and allows you to make an informed decision.
A trained consultant takes the time to sit down and learn about your home project. They should want to know everything about your window covering project:
- What are your goals for this shutter project?
- Are you interested in shutters for décor or energy savings or both?
- Are you looking to match current color scheme or woodwork of your home?
- Are you installing shutters to add to the value to your home to sell in the future?
- What is your time frame?
The more information you can provide for your consultant at this stage, the better your project will be as a whole. If consultants have as much information as possible, they will be able to provide a more accurate quote and timeframe for the project.
If you let them know your design objective, they may be able to help you come up with some ideas you weren’t aware were possible.
WALK THROUGH AND MEASUREMENT
After having a discussion about your project goals, the consultant will do a walk through with you to see each room and take measurements for each window that will be getting custom shutters. They may have additional questions in order to assure that each shutter is designed not just to look great but also function efficiently.
PRODUCT DISCUSSION
Once the walk through is completed, the consultant should sit down again with you to go over finishing details. They will discuss differences in colors, finishes, sizes, and frames so that you can make the best possible decision when it comes to your custom shutters.
Key Takeaway
In-home consultations are such an important part of purchasing your custom shutters. A reputable shutter company should provide you with a professional consultant who makes you feel comfortable with your project and choices. Custom shutters are an investment in your home, increasing its value and providing insulation and privacy. An in-home consultation is the first step in working with a company who respects that fact and wants to help you make a decision that’s best for you, not just for them.
