Design Skylights Inc
About us
Owner operated. No subs. Cost is determined by the job. No travel charges. Additional charge of $100 for emergency services. Ask about angies list $10 off discount. Additional DBA - Design Skylights. Additional fax - (512) 244-4319.
Business highlights
Services we offer
Skylight replacement & repair.
Amenities
Emergency Services
Yes
Free Estimates
Yes
Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
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93% | ||
3% | ||
0% | ||
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3% |
Rodney is the only certified Velux installer in Austin, so if you want Velux skylights, he can get them at a much cheaper than a roofer, since they won't get the dealer discount. Two roofers quoted me $1200 each to install two 2x4 skylights, Rodney was just $600 each. He put them in and that was fine. Then later when I tried to get him to put in a tubular skylight, things went south quickly.
I texted and asked if he could put in a tubular skylight for me which is level on top. (The level ones bring in light more consistently throughout the day, vs. the angled ones that follow the slope of the roof. My roof faces west, and I wanted the level version so I could catch more morning light.) So I texted and asked if he'd put in a level light, but he said the angled version would "work better for you". I asked why, but he sidestepped the question. I asked again, and he said, "There is a pitch adapter inside each unit that will allow us to keep the tube straight it will perform exactly the same." Since that still didn't answer my question and I could see we were getting nowhere by text, I asked him to call me on my landline, and gave him the number. Instead he called my cell. (ugh) Again I asked why he thought the angled version would be better, but he repeatedly sidestepped the question, instead telling me that they'd both produce the same amount of light (which isn't true, but even if it were, that doesn't tell me why the angled version would be BETTER). Finally he said that he's been doing this for years and I ought to just listen to him, and if I wouldn't then I should find another installer because it's a hassle to work with customers like me. THEN he said that the level version is harder to install and more prone to leaking. He might have just said that one of the first several times I asked him. But in any event, I was skeptical of that, so I said I'd check it out and call back.
I called the manufacturer and they said that the level version is NOT harder to install or more prone to leaking (which makes perfect sense, since the only difference is the angle of the dome).
About his claim that both level and pitched models deliver the same amount of light: First, the manufacturer says otherwise: their brochure says the level version "provides optimum angle for gathering light from all roof directions". Second, I called them, and they said the same thing. They also sent me a spreadsheet showing lumens at different angles. And finally, it makes sense that you'll get less light if the dome is pointing *away* from the sun for most of the day, as it does with the angled version on a west-facing roof.
So I texted him back, told him I'd talked to Velux, and asked if he'd install the level version for me. He refused. I asked if he'd install the angled version for me. He never replied.
By the way, before the 2x4 install, I asked about the U-factor of the product he was installing, and he said 0.27, which is great. After the install I looked it up and found that he actually gave me the SHGC; the real U-factor is much higher, 0.48. I texted him to let him know, in case any other customer asked, but he didn't reply, much less apologize for giving me the wrong information.
Anyway, the silver lining is that since he abandoned me and he's the only Velux installer in town, I then looked at Solatube, which I found is a much better product anyway. I'm scheduled for an install with SolarTexOnline (which has great Yelp reviews).
I was searching all over Angie's List, and the internet, for someone who could/would installaA Tubular Skylight in the inner bathroom. All of the logical candidates (roofers/handymen/window installers, etc.) had no interest to do such a job. I finally located 'Design Skylights', through Angie's List, called the number provided and got Rodney on the phone. He was very interested in doing the job, and provided excellent advice on which product and material to use. On the appointed day, he was here on time, and got right to work. I had thought of putting in a 14" skylight, however Rodney looked at the bathroom and said, "that would be overkill. A 10" fixture would be more than enough, and it would save me $200."
How good is that??? Just a great job, and a great experience dealing with Rodney and Design Skylights..
On the day of installation, he arrived on time with all necessary materials, completed the job quickly and cleaned-up thoroughly. The sun tunnel looks great, adds significant light to our living room, and was cost-effective.
Rodney was honest, personable, courteous, efficient and professional. I would gladly hire him again, and would recommend him to others without hesitation.
He was very professional and gave us an estimate of the total cost before he began to work.
He did a great job, the price was what he quoted us, and we would definitely use him again in the future.
Licensing
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