Honest Communication

At McCann Window, open and honest communication is at the heart of how we operate. And sometimes, that means telling a homeowner, “You don’t need us.”

Such was the case recently when I met with the owner of an 80- to 90-year-old home in Evanston. The home had the original muntin bar, or sash, windows.

The homeowner was thinking of selling, and he wondered if replacing the windows would enhance the value of the home and make it easier to sell. He asked his realtor, who referred him to us.

As I walked through the house with the gentleman, I talked to him and really listened to what he said. What I heard was that he didn’t really need new windows. And I told him as much.

Yes, the windows were old. But the frames weren’t rotted. They still opened and closed. The glazing was fine. The glass wasn’t cracked. There were no complaints about drafts, being cold or being concerned about safety. There was no compelling reason to replace them, and if the home were to be put on the market, there’s a good chance of finding a buyer who appreciates the vintage windows.

There are other window installers who would have happily taken this man’s money. But at McCann, that’s not how we operate. We take pride in making integrity a part of every conversation we have and every action we take. And we treat our customers as if they are our own neighbors who we will see tomorrow.

In this case, I was happy to do this homeowner the service of being honest with him and advising him to save his money.