Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for home improvement contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Quality First Home Improvement, Inc., the best way to keep customers happy is to provide a personal touch on their projects, regardless of the size. “A lot of home improvement companies are doing things on digital platforms these days, but we believe in the importance of human contact,” says Marketing Director Mike Licalsi. “It may be convenient to get a project estimate online, but you won’t get the level of accuracy or service you would get from a company that comes to your house and takes measurements in person. We find that working with customers face-to-face brings better results and experiences for everyone involved.”

Quality First Home Improvement sells and installs a wide range of name-brand home beautification products, including roofing, windows, patio covers, solar electric systems, kitchen and bathroom products, Cool Wall® exterior coating, vinyl and fiber cement siding, exterior doors, insulation, garage doors, synthetic grass, and much more. The company has been recognized by industry-leading manufacturer GAF as a Master Elite roofing contractor who has won the Triple Excellence Award for the last seven years, and it received GAF’s prestigious President’s Club Award in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Unlike home improvement companies that hire inexperienced technicians in an effort to reduce their operating costs, Quality First Home Improvement prioritizes a high level of training for each of its employees. “Our installers receive both internal and factory training to equip them with the knowledge and ability to serve our clients as effectively as possible,” says Mr. Licalsi. “Because of the priority we give to training, our customers can rest assured their jobs will be done correctly the first time.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Quality First Home Improvement is its proactive approach to communication. “On every job, we designate a project coordinator who oversees the work and serves as the customer’s main point of contact,” explains Mr. Licalsi. “If the customer has an issue, they can talk to their project coordinator, who will in turn communicate with the crew or the management to find a solution.”

If you’re looking to radically reduce your home’s energy costs, look no further than solar power.

“Solar is the single greatest investment a person can make in their home,” says Gary Kluck, CEO of Quality First Home Improvement, Inc. in Citrus Heights. “Typically, it pays for itself within six to eight years of installation. I have solar in my own home—100 percent of my appliances and systems run on electricity, and my monthly power bill is a mere $12. In a few more years, the system will have completely paid for itself from just what I’ve saved in utility costs.”

To further drive his point home, Mr. Kluck gives some examples from the automotive sphere. “If you were looking at a new car and the dealership told you it would completely pay for itself within six to eight years, you would probably buy it,” he speculates. “Or, imagine you had the opportunity to buy gas at $1 a gallon and you could lock in that price for the rest of your life. Would you do it? Of course you would. This is essentially what buying solar is—you not only produce your own energy, you lock in your utility rate for life.

“Few homeowners realize that in another 30 years, their utility bills are going to be as big as their mortgage payments,” he continues. “Energy prices have continued to increase over time, and it’s going to keep going up as the technology changes and the utility companies have to keep upgrading. That’s why it’s better to install solar sooner than later, because the sooner you can lock in your rate, the less you’re going to pay in the long term.”

For those on limited budgets, Mr. Kluck has good news. “A solar power system is kind of like an erector set in that you can keep adding to it,” he explains. “As your needs change or your budget increases, you can add more and more panels. You can start small if you need to and work up from there. Either way, at the end of the day, you’re going to save money.”

Q: How long will it take to complete my job?
A: It depends on the nature of the job. Your project coordinator will meet with you to discuss a timetable before the job begins. If it looks like the project will go longer than expected, this will be communicated in advance so you aren’t surprised.

Q: Why do you offer so many different products and services?
A: Because our mission is to be your contractor for life. Maybe today you need a new roof, but next summer you might decide to replace your driveway and a year later you may want to install a solar energy system. Whatever you need and whenever you need it, we want to be the first company you call.

Q: Can you provide financing?
A: Yes, we offer many different financing options to help customers in a variety of situations. That way, whether you own a multi-million dollar home or you’re renovating a fixer-upper, you can get the financial assistance you need.

Q: What’s your approach to quality control?
A: We always take additional steps to ensure quality—after all, it’s in our name. For example, when we install a roof with GAF products, we have a GAF representative come out to inspect it. This provides an added measure of assurance that everything was done according to manufacturer standards.