Ameritech Construction Co
About us
Our philosophy has always been the same: To seek out the best manufacturers who put the highest quality ingredients into their products so that our clients benefit from reliable, hassle-free performance year after year. Ameritech Construction has been providing energy efficient replacement windows as well as roofing, siding, doors and other products of exceptional craftsmanship and value for decades. Contacts: Kevin Kraske: 984-255-2500, ext. 105
Business highlights
Services we offer
& Attic Insulation., Decks, Replacement Windows & Doors, Roofing, Siding, Trim Work
Amenities
Free Estimates
Yes
Accepted Payment Methods
- CreditCard
Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
---|---|---|
82% | ||
8% | ||
4% | ||
3% | ||
3% |
One crew installed our windows and doors and another wrapped the wood, Every member of both crew was polite, clean, skilled and highly professional, It is rare not to have a single crew complaint, but we don't. They were outstanding. We felt like we had made new friends.
Timmy Glaye was the sales representative, he carefully answer every question in detail, His product demonstration was realistic, But most importantly was his honesty. Not one promise made was unfilled, Quality window replacement is expensive, And the triple pane Ameritech window is superior to everything else we saw. Still Timmy worked with us on price and financing coming in lower than some of the better know but lesser quality products.
As we requested additional products and services, we had to opportunity to talk with the Ameritech office management and staff. Again our expectation were surpassed.
My comments were unsolicited are the true feelings of a well satisfied customer that no other connection to Ameritech.
The customer service is extremely lousy. During the initial sales-pitch (they recommend an hour - hour and a half, but turned into 3 hours) the sales representative promised everything we wanted. After a series of gimmicks for "exclusive discounts" they finally brought the price down to an expensive but somewhat reasonable price for quality work. We chose to finance our work and the contract guaranteed 5.9% APR. After waiting a while for the financing to go through, they said we were getting a great deal at 17.99% APR. The next day we decided the rate was not a smart choice and wanted to cancel. We tried to reach the project manager all day and finally received a call back after we sent a text stating we wanted to cancel. During the conversation, I was given an attitude completely opposite from the in-home visit. When trying to explain why we didn't feel comfortable with the interest rate especially given the fact we signed the contract at a 5.9% interest rate, the project manager hung up on me. I immediately called back (incase signal was lost accidentally) and he answered, "what do you want?"
While I believe the company sells a good product, I believe they are significantly overpriced and their customer service is among the worst I've ever dealt with. I would think this was a one time experience, if I had not had a similar encounter with the same company 3 years prior. I definitely would not recommend them. Costco has dropped them and so will I.
I will start my experience off with a story because it shows an issue, shifting focus on Ameritech's side to take care of the customer and making sure the customer was satisfied along the way.
Our initial meeting started off poorly. Timmy, an employee of Ameritech of 16 years, went up the attic ladder first and saw boards so when he took his 1st step in the attic he was expecting a board to be there. To his surprise, there was not a board there and he left a hole in the ceiling. Timmy was embarrassed and apologized profusely. I understood it was an accident and told him that this was their challenge to earn my business. Their challenge was to patch the ceiling the same day....it would show their ability to take care of emergencies, take care of the customer and to make a bad situation right and the customer happy. I wanted a quick fix so I didn't have a huge hole in my ceiling having warm air escape through my ceiling during winter. Timmy called in favors to Levon and the 10am hole was fixed by 2pm. Levon schedule a follow-up timeframe for another coat of joint compound when he finished. Timmy did a follow-up phone to me later the same day to ensure Levon had arrived and scheduled a follow-up appointment and to make sure it was to my satisfaction. Levon had made 2 additional follow-up appointments and painted the patched area on his last visit. The ceiling misstep was a minor inconvenience but the professional attitude was extraordinary which I really appreciated!
OVERALL: The new roof took place on 2/19/16. It looks great! A couple of days later we had rain and I inspected the roof and no issues have been found. Completely satisfied with this company and will use them again. I didn't know anyone who was looking for a new roof at the time of my appointment but there have been many friends who I have recommended to them since.
"Thank you so much for your feedback. We continue to try to improve so we can earn an "A" from all our clients. Thank you for your business!"
The answer: companies that are not interested in allowing their product, or service record or pricing to speak for themselves. Rather, Ameritech is clearly one of those companies who rely on sales strategies carefully honed over the years to exploit the emotion associated with difficult consumer purchases. I received a follow-up call from Ameritech shortly after the sales representative left my home and when I explained that I did not want to reschedule my appointment and that I was not interested in doing business with their company, the representative implied that I was lying when I told her that no one had ever informed me that my wife needed to be present. She went on to 'inform' me that conversations were taped and suggested that she would be checking the tape to see if the person who made my appointment had informed me that my wife needed to be present. Ridiculous, and offensive. I know that the representative never informed me of this policy because if she had, I would have told her exactly what I told the folks at Thompson Creek -- "if you insist on my wife being present then you are not a company that I want to work with." Ironically, when given this information the folks at Thompson Creek backed down and sent a representative who was not beholden to what I assume is also generally their policy.
At the end of the day, Ameritech did not get my business. I only hope that they also do not get yours. There is no reason why any of us should tolerate these sort of tactics. I have taken the extra time to write this review in hopes that if enough people refuse to put up with such business practices, companies like Ameritech will be forced to change their approach to sales.
"At Ameritech Construction, we are committed to ensuring a positive buying experience for all our customers. Through decades in this business and thousands of installations, we have learned that it is essential to have both people present for the initial quote. As you state, replacement window projects may be less complex than large-scale remodeling. However, any project is an investment, and the steps from planning to completion should reflect and respect that. We value your input and tailor the replacement product to suit your needs, tastes, and budget. Instead of presenting you with standard, cookie-cutter options and pricing in a few minutes, we arrive at a quote based on your wishes for the window's energy efficiency, type of material, security, type of exterior capping, and the available color options for the interior and the exterior. That takes time. When we come to do a consultation, our obvious goal is to win the job. We feel the best opportunity to win the job is to satisfy all decision-makers when both are present to contribute to the design and cost of the final project. Along the way, we are willing to invest up to 90 minutes of our time at no charge to the client. It's a win-win, in our opinion. We are very serious about the work we do and hope our clients are willing to invest some time up front so that, in the long run, the project unfolds smoothly, with greater efficiency and ultimate satisfaction."
The sales presentation was a horrible experience for me and my wife as it went longer than two hours with the usual high pressure sales tactics. Ameritech insists on having both you and your spouse at the presentation and wants you both to sign a sales contract and put down a deposit immediately after the pitch (which includes the salesperson measuring your windows). Time is spent telling you how terrible Andersen and Pella windows are compared to the Oxford windows (made by Winchester Industries in PA.) sold by Ameritech and that the contract price is only good during the sales presentation and can go up if you let the salesman leave your home without signing on the dotted line.
If you do spend the big money on Oxford windows, plan on 7-8 weeks from the time Ameritech actually orders your windows until the installation crew shows up at your home for the installation; which took about 5 hours to do. Be ready with your checkbook as the installation crew will want you to pay the balance of what you owe ($8800 in our case) immediately after the installation is complete; no credit cards accepted. The Oxford windows seem ok so far (two weeks since installation) but the cost per replacement window does not fit the final result as I believe you will find when you shop with other window companies. My recommendation to anyone considering Ameritech windows would be to get firm prices from at least two or three other window companies before the Ameritech salesman ever pays you his 2-3 hour visit. I firmly believe that you can get the same or very similar quality replacement windows installed for half of what we paid which is what we will do for the remaining 33 windows in our house.
With winter weather fast approaching it remains to be seen whether or not Ameritech's new Oxford windows will save us significant money in utility bills as promised by the Ameritech salesman. So far we have noticed no difference in our heating bills. Good Luck to you all and hope this review will assist other Angie's list members in their decision making process for new windows.
"Thank you for taking the time to write such a great review about your new siding. We are always happy to hear when our customers have a delightful experience. Everyone at Ameritech appreciates your business and values you as a client!"
"Thank you for taking the time to write such a great review about your new entry door. We are always grateful when our clients return for another project. Please call us if any adjustments need to be made to any of your doors. Everyone at Ameritech appreciates your business and values you as a client!"
**Update**
Gary, the owner of Ameritech called me personally after I submitted the review. He was very concerned with my experience. As I will be looking to purchase a new entry door in the near future - he offered a significant discount whenever I am ready to purchase. He assured me he would take care of things personally. I was so impressed with his sincerity and desire to make a poor experience into a great experience - I am willing to give Ameritech another chance (and also changed my grade). Stay tuned!
I was approached at BJs for Ameritech. Wasn't necessarily looking for this - but gave it a shot. Gene, the sales rep came out Jan 2014 to my home. Very pressure sales and gave us a quote for financing option. The option/price per month was so low - I should have questioned it, but I didn't. As the windows go - they are manufactured to the size - so it took a few months before the install. The guy that measured the windows was great. The windows were installed 4/2014 (3 months later approx.). The crew did a good job - a bit of trash outside here and there. It was a 2 day install. I have no issue with the installers nor the windows - but experience with the sales rep, Gene and the financing and lack of follow up was horrible.
I was expecting to receive the bill/installment payment any day. I started calling a month later to inquire about my first payment. All of a sudden the bank started calling me - telling me the finance did not go through, they needed more information. They were waiting on information from Ameritech, but they never received it (I had provided everything to Gene at the time of sale - have no idea what he did). Of course - I gave the bank the info they needed, but now the price per month was much more than I anticipated and the financing/interest was off the charts. But the whole time I was waiting for the install - not a single person called about the financing issue or the rate or the confirmation of the monthly amount. AND I CALLED THEM WHEN I DIDN'T GET THE BILL. The whole ordeal was super sloppy, horrible experience and ABSOLUTELY NO FOLLOW UP FROM AMERITECH.
I called Ameritech and ended up talking with Gene - who frankly did not give a poop (he got his commission for the sale). I told him I would rather pay the windows outright - which would have been much cheaper per the sales pitch he gave ($15k instead of $20K). He couldn't do anything (and no one else in the company returned my call). I paid the full amount of $20k by check (no financing). I signed the contract and the windows were installed- I had to fulfill my obligation.
But the fact that the price was so much lower if I paid all at once (which I did) - Ameritech wouldn't provide me with any type of credit, courtesy - basically I was out of luck.
BJs/Ameritech called me to solicit more business - told the poor agent how horribly I felt I was ripped off by Ameritech - I will never do business with Ameritech or BJs (on the home improvement side) again. I am happy to give my business to another company (and I learned a lot from this experience)!
"We are sorry for the poor customer experience. We work very hard on training our representatives to treat everyone fairly and to accommodate their schedules. The owner of Ameritech did come out to see you on a Saturday afternoon. Hopefully he was able to answer all your questions and give your pricing on your project. Thank you for your feedback."
"We are very happy to hear that you had a great experience with Ameritech and the quality products we sell. The windows you bought are premium quality as well as one of the most energy efficient triple pane windows available in the country. Your 50 year warranty should make you feel confident that you will not have to replace these windows again. Thank you for your feedback and we all appreciate your business."
In September of 2015, I decided to replace the old, faulty windows on the third floor of my townhouse with the Oxford 3-pane windows and install a new front door.
My existing door is of poor quality and no longer fits the softwood door frame. In my opinion, the old door (although locked) could easily be forced open. An the upcoming installation, Ameritech will remove and replace the storm door, replace the existing soft wood frame with an 18 gauge steel frame and install a new Oxford door . The Oxford door will feature 24 gauge tough door skin, 7 gauge steel bars at hinges, safety interlock on hinges, steel angled edges, B-fire rating, security lens (adjusted to my height at the factory), steel deadbolt, locking handle, security piston, polyurethane fill, thermal break on frame, neoprene insert, compression stop, triple sweep on sill, adjustable threshold and insulated fill. I fully expect the Oxford door to save heating and cooling costs and provide good security to my home. I'm looking forward to the new windows and the security of the new Oxford door.
The foreman was thoughtful enough to suggest that I paint my garage door to match the aluminum siding so that I didn't get a letter from my HOA. He gave me a scrap piece of siding to use to purchase matching paint. I did so and the end result is a perfect match between the siding and the garage door.
We had one minor problem when the flagpole bracket attached to the door frame pulled loose on a breezy day, causing minor damage to the siding. They came right out without argument and repaired the damage, firmly fastened the flagpole bracket and sealed the holes with caulk.
I was pleased with the craftsmanship and the value.Even though it cost more than having someone caulk and paint, in the long run, this work will pay for itself as we should not have to have periodic maintenance to our bay window or door frame in future years.
Licensing
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