Finding a Contractor in the Midwest: Why BBB Ratings Matter

Your contractor’s level of expertise is just as important as the quality of the materials you’ll be using. After all, even the most durable sliding French doors, or any kind of door for that matter, won’t be able to withstand the Midwestern climate if they’re not installed properly. That’s why it’s important to do your research on a contractor before hiring one.

Here’s a vetting tip: check a contractor’s accreditations and certifications. A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is one of the most widely recognized accreditations in the home improvement industry. 

How the Ratings Are Calculated

The BBB is an independent organization that assigns ratings to companies, ranging from A-plus (the highest) to F (the lowest) to help consumers find companies they can trust. The rating gives consumers an idea of how a company is likely to interact with its consumers as well as its trustworthiness. We’ve listed below some of the factors the BBB uses to calculate ratings: 

1. Adherence to transparency standards – Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see false claims on company ads, which is why the BBB requires accredited businesses to be completely transparent about their business practices. They shouldn’t engage in misleading advertising and should disclose all relevant info about their services. As such, if for instance, an A-plus-rated company is advertising its replacement French patio doors, you can more or less take their claims about their product at face value. 
2. Time in business – The BBB also takes into account how long a contractor has been in the industry. 
3. The number of unresolved or unanswered complaints – This factor has the most weight in the calculations for ratings. Miscommunication between contractors and their clients are bound to happen at some time. If it does, a professional contractor should respond to the complaints raised promptly and in an appropriate manner.

The Golden Standard: The A-Plus Rating

You don’t need to know all the factors used in the rating system to receive quality customer service. All you need to do is look for a contractor with an A-plus rating. Only contractors who earned a near-perfect score in all categories to get the required score of 97 out of 100 can receive the A-plus rating. 

Renewal by Andersen® Midwest, an A-plus-rated company with the BBB, offers a wide range of premium windows and doors, including patio door replacement options. To schedule a free in-home consultation with one of our design specialists, call us at (866) 609-5033, or fill out our form here.