Shutters
- Thread starter z4fanatic
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Overpriced
Just curious if you asked them for their license or am I the only one getting the run around. You might want to try contacting Young at Express Blinds. They are related, Uncle and Nephew I believe, and supposedly they do have the proper licenses. It's the same price but if something happens you will have more recourse than going with an unlicensed contractor.
Good luck.
No, I haven't asked. I just spent a bit of time researching them online, starting with a California contractor's license search.
In my research found there must be some connection between Express Blinds and Shutters King because they have the same address (kind of), but I didn't realize they have the same prices. That being the case, perhaps I will switch over to Express Blinds...
It just makes one wonder why they would create a separate non-licensed entity when they already had a licensed one. The only reason I can think of, and it makes sense, is that they wanted a company with the word "Shutters" in it for marketing purposes.
I think we'll just be sticking with Shutters King because I feel I already have a relationship with them and they may give me the cold shoulder as well if I start questioning their business practices.
Can someone explain the difference between clear view and normal shutters? Pictures?
dealcatcher
New member
broda said:
Overpriced
So Kim's Blinds quoted me $14.91 per sq ft that's including upgraded frame option.
Shutters King quoted me $15.00 per sq ft for standard 1 inch frame. Both quotes were for Clearview and 3.5 inch louvers.
Shutters King seemed very thorough in their measurements. Noticed half inch differences in windows frames, Kims was pretty quick and not as thorough. Both seem to provide the same product type.
I have to say watching people measure the same windows over and over and over again seems counter productive.
Shutters King quoted me $15.00 per sq ft for standard 1 inch frame. Both quotes were for Clearview and 3.5 inch louvers.
Shutters King seemed very thorough in their measurements. Noticed half inch differences in windows frames, Kims was pretty quick and not as thorough. Both seem to provide the same product type.
I have to say watching people measure the same windows over and over and over again seems counter productive.
A quick update on the quote from Shutters King. Apparently they have a minimum size of 10 sq ft so any window smaller than that will have a minimum charge. That is the explanation I was given on why it wasn't exactly $13.95 / sq ft.
For anyone deciding on going with Shutters King, they may not have a valid license and/or worker's comp insurance, seehttp://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3745.0.html
For anyone deciding on going with Shutters King, they may not have a valid license and/or worker's comp insurance, seehttp://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3745.0.html
lucky said:
Just curious if you asked them for their license or am I the only one getting the run around. You might want to try contacting Young at Express Blinds. They are related, Uncle and Nephew I believe, and supposedly they do have the proper licenses. It's the same price but if something happens you will have more recourse than going with an unlicensed contractor.
Good luck.
lucky760
New member
blitzjs said:
No, I haven't asked. I just spent a bit of time researching them online, starting with a California contractor's license search.
In my research found there must be some connection between Express Blinds and Shutters King because they have the same address (kind of), but I didn't realize they have the same prices. That being the case, perhaps I will switch over to Express Blinds...
dealcatcher
New member
Same company, same product, same factory. I confirmed this with them.
lucky760
New member
dealcatcher said:
It just makes one wonder why they would create a separate non-licensed entity when they already had a licensed one. The only reason I can think of, and it makes sense, is that they wanted a company with the word "Shutters" in it for marketing purposes.
I think we'll just be sticking with Shutters King because I feel I already have a relationship with them and they may give me the cold shoulder as well if I start questioning their business practices.
snowblind40
New member
Met with Golden West, Shutters King/Express Blinds and The Window Decorators. My total job was around 330 sqft.
Golden West - Dave - Owner. Gave me a great lecture on quality of shutters. Pulled out a pristine example of one of his shutters. Pointed out how seamless everything looked. Showed me his hinges that were higher quality than any others and were cut into the shutters to have a tighter seal when the shutters are closed. Uses high quality lacquer paint for great look. Showed me that he had his own factory in Orange County where everything was made. Stressed importance of external mount. Did not seem to have an option for Clear View (no bar in front to open and close blinds. ~$16/Sqft. Total cost of job quoted was $7,315 but offered 25% discount. So he came down to $5,485 with 4 week turnaround. 949-951-0600
Shutters King/Express Blinds - Daniel - Sales Manager. Also stressed importance of external mount. His samples were pretty beat up and definitely noticed the difference in quality compared to Golden West. They have their own factory in Pomona and invited me over for a tour. Hinges were not as nice, no cut for tight closure and paint did not shine as much as Golden West. Did have clear view. ~$14/sqft. Total cost of job quoted was $4,680 with Clearview and split top and bottom 4 week turnaround. 800-535-7731
The Window Decorators - Forgot name, husband and wife - They get their blinds from either Chino (Wood Blinds, 2 week turnaround), China (6-8 week turnaround) or Taiwan (Faux-Wood Blinds, 6-8 week turnaround). Wood Blinds looked to be the same quality as Shutters King. They had very similar hinges and very similar designs. Had them price with clear view on wood blinds from Chino. They really talked up China quality and seemed to be enamored with Faux-Wood Blinds. They claimed that Chinese wood blinds were higher quality than blinds made in Chino and were cheaper. I did not like the Faux-Wood blinds from Taiwan. The seams between the panels were very noticeable and they definitely looked plasticky. But the wife claimed that they were 30% more energy saving than wood. ~$13/sqft. Total Cost of job quoted was $4,400 wood blinds with clearview from Chino with 2 week turnaround. Slightly less for Chinese made with 6-8 week turnaround and slightly more for Taiwanese Faux-wood with 6-8 week turnaround.
Still probably going to go back to each one and haggle a bit more. Will let you know who I went with and at what price.
Golden West - Dave - Owner. Gave me a great lecture on quality of shutters. Pulled out a pristine example of one of his shutters. Pointed out how seamless everything looked. Showed me his hinges that were higher quality than any others and were cut into the shutters to have a tighter seal when the shutters are closed. Uses high quality lacquer paint for great look. Showed me that he had his own factory in Orange County where everything was made. Stressed importance of external mount. Did not seem to have an option for Clear View (no bar in front to open and close blinds. ~$16/Sqft. Total cost of job quoted was $7,315 but offered 25% discount. So he came down to $5,485 with 4 week turnaround. 949-951-0600
Shutters King/Express Blinds - Daniel - Sales Manager. Also stressed importance of external mount. His samples were pretty beat up and definitely noticed the difference in quality compared to Golden West. They have their own factory in Pomona and invited me over for a tour. Hinges were not as nice, no cut for tight closure and paint did not shine as much as Golden West. Did have clear view. ~$14/sqft. Total cost of job quoted was $4,680 with Clearview and split top and bottom 4 week turnaround. 800-535-7731
The Window Decorators - Forgot name, husband and wife - They get their blinds from either Chino (Wood Blinds, 2 week turnaround), China (6-8 week turnaround) or Taiwan (Faux-Wood Blinds, 6-8 week turnaround). Wood Blinds looked to be the same quality as Shutters King. They had very similar hinges and very similar designs. Had them price with clear view on wood blinds from Chino. They really talked up China quality and seemed to be enamored with Faux-Wood Blinds. They claimed that Chinese wood blinds were higher quality than blinds made in Chino and were cheaper. I did not like the Faux-Wood blinds from Taiwan. The seams between the panels were very noticeable and they definitely looked plasticky. But the wife claimed that they were 30% more energy saving than wood. ~$13/sqft. Total Cost of job quoted was $4,400 wood blinds with clearview from Chino with 2 week turnaround. Slightly less for Chinese made with 6-8 week turnaround and slightly more for Taiwanese Faux-wood with 6-8 week turnaround.
Still probably going to go back to each one and haggle a bit more. Will let you know who I went with and at what price.
it's interesting to hear the price quoting. Shutters King quoted me around $15 per sq ft. Like blitzjs they have to do a minimum 10 sq ft for the small bathroom windows.
Kim's blinds seems to be willing to wheel and deal the most. She told me to give her my best offer and she'll do her best to match. No one seems to have mentioned going with her.
Getting a quote from Blind's and More this week.
Kim's blinds seems to be willing to wheel and deal the most. She told me to give her my best offer and she'll do her best to match. No one seems to have mentioned going with her.
Getting a quote from Blind's and More this week.
socaltrojan81
Member
blitzjs said:
Can someone explain the difference between clear view and normal shutters? Pictures?