No.
Because nothing in this world is free. Whereas you may not actually be paying for a consultant to come to your home for an estimate, the trade-off is the time you will waste with a company you don’t want.
And, of course, Canadian window companies wouldn’t offer these free consultations if there was no benefit for them. Even if you decide to go with someone else, they at least get their chance to intervene and offer a competitive price.
This is also an opportunity for them to leave a more lasting impression. A lot of people don’t go with the same suppliers when they need additional windows, so putting in the face time can only increase chances for future business.
But as a savvy customer, it’s in your best interest to go into the quote appointment with as much information as possible. Decide on how many windows you want to replace, what style of windows you’re interested in, and what’s the most important function you want the new vinyl windows to perform. New windows can add comfort and better energy efficiency, provide ventilation, keep out the extra light or noise. Once you’ve figured that out you can start eliminating companies based on the service they offer.
Once you’ve found a few companies, try to decide which one is the best for you. Are the windows and installation in your budget? Does the company manufacture and install their own product? What’s the warranty like? These questions can help you eliminate some more choices.
Should a window company have a showroom?
Similarly, people often feel that companies that don’t have physical showrooms aren’t as trustworthy. That couldn’t be any further from the truth. At the end of the day, a showroom is a facility that needs to be rented and maintained. And guess who is ultimately paying for that?
You would be better off looking at a finished project in someone’s house, to get the full idea of how windows work. Most savvy consultants carry samples with them to all appointments. Ask for the specific window styles you’re interested in, and you can see and feel for yourself how well the window is made from the comfort of your home.
A free quote appointment is designed to generate more business for a window company. But if you ask the right questions, the consultation time can be ideal for figuring out what’s best for your replacement, and which company will give you the best deal and perform the best job.
Check out:
Find out how much a new window project should cost
See our full line of vinyl replacement windows
Why The Lowest Vinyl Windows Quote Isn’t Always The Best