Step Three: Set Up a Meeting
Make appointments with the candidates you've selected. You can glean valuable information before you even meet. Are their phones answered during business hours? Do they return calls or e-mails promptly? When you have your meeting, note if the installer arrived on time. If he's too busy or scatterbrained to meet with you to get the job, things probably won't get better once he has it.
Does he have a showroom? Although many accomplished installers work out of small or home offices, an installation firm that's invested in a showroom certainly has a little more stability.
What product lines does he carry? Premier companies such as Runco, Lexicon, Meridian, ADA, and Crestron can be selective about who sells their products, which can be a good indicator of the firm's caliber.
Step Four: Questions You Should Ask
When you meet, your first question should be, "How long have you been in business?" Custom installation is booming, attracting many "overnight experts" from the ranks of electricians and security contractors. If your project is relatively advanced, a Johnny-come-lately might not be the best candidate. Other things to ask:
- How many employees work for the company? The fewer people, the more likely you'll have to wait if something comes up.
- Has the installer worked with your builder before? If so, ask the builder how he feels about the projects they've worked on, and try to get in touch with the homeowner they did the work for.
- Can the installer show you any examples of projects he's done, especially on the same scale you're planning?
- If you need a retrofit, is he comfortable with that kind of work? Retros are some of the most challenging jobs an installer takes on, so make sure he can do things like remove crown moldings and baseboards, fish wires, patch dry wall, and remove light fixtures.
- How long is he typically booked for? The best firms usually stay busy. If you find a company with a wide-open schedule when others are committed for weeks out, there might be a reason.
- Also be sure to ask what options the installer would suggest. Since he designs systems every day, he knows about trends you might not have considered and can recommend what you should do to ensure your system stays up-to-date.
