As a homeowner in San Diego, I’m always looking for suggestions for companies and people to hire to work on my home. When my friends or neighbors don’t have any referrals to share, I often turn to the internet—specifically Facebook—for suggestions. There’s a Facebook group of which I am a part that is dedicated specifically to helping people find home improvement professionals in the local area. Every day, the Facebook group’s members create posts similar to this: “I’m looking for a plumber/electrician/HVAC repair company/general contractor that won’t break the bank.”

At one time or another, most homeowners have hired someone who they believe overcharged them for the work they performed. Maybe the homeowner felt like they were taken advantage of because they were in a desperate situation—like if they were experiencing a water leak that could result in further damage if left unchecked—or because they were inexperienced and didn’t know what a fair price should have been for the job. No matter the reason, homeowners who have had a bad experience with an overpriced contractor don’t want to make the same mistake again. That’s why they ask for referrals for professionals who “won’t break the bank.”

I think what most people are really asking for is for a home improvement professional who charges a fair price. They’re not necessarily looking for the cheapest person or company because, after all, they still want the job done right. They’re hoping to find someone who is good at what they do, but won’t take advantage of them when it comes to what they charge for their services.

Take windows and doors in San Diego, for example. Most homeowners know that it’s not a good idea to buy the cheapest windows possible and have them installed by someone who has never installed windows before—even if it means saving a bunch of money. They know that they will likely not get a good outcome. The cheap windows and doors won’t hold up under the intense UV rays of Southern California, or the salt air if your home is near the coast. And the inexperienced installers certainly won’t do as good of a job as an experienced team would do. Their mistakes could result in windows and doors that don’t insulate your home well, and essentially negate any benefits that you should be getting from purchasing upgraded windows and doors!

Surprisingly to many homeowners, the best way to get the best outcome at a fair price is to go with a replacement window dealer in San Diego, rather than working with a general contractor or a home improvement store. A replacement window dealer will have access to several different brands of replacement windows, and can help you select the best brand and line of windows for your specific home. If you have a price point in mind, they can make suggestions based on that. Most replacement windows also have their own team of highly trained installers who do nothing but install windows and doors every day! Some companies even guarantee the work of their installers!

Of course, even among replacement window dealers, prices can vary—sometimes dramatically. That’s why it makes sense to get multiple quotes on new windows and doors for your San Diego home.