Frequently Asked Questions
If you are a new designer, looking for support with your window treatment projects, you’re in the right place.
You are probably wondering if we are a fit for each other, how to start working together, and how you can benefit from using our services.
This page will answer all your questions.
If it doesn’t, please email directly to the owner at Vita@VitaliaInc.com or feel free to call 267.228.7378.
What kind of designers do you work with?
We currently have the privilege of servicing over 40 active designers. They range from solopreneurs working out of their homes - to design firms with staff and design studios. They have different styles, preferences, and processes. One common trait that connects them together is the desire to work in their zone of genius, while delegating the window treatment portions of their projects to a company that can handle it all from A to Z, which is where we come in.
These designers are not interested in taking their own measurements, figuring out bracket deductions, calculating yardages, or keeping up with product introductions. They have the vision and prefer to leave the rest of it to the specialist. So they have us run with it, execute it, and make them look like heroes to their clients.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We are based in Bucks Country and service the entire greater Philadelphia tri-state area. We service clients that live on the Jersey Shore. We service clients in the Lehigh Valley. We’ve done projects in upstate New York. We’ve traveled to Palm Beach, FL.
Our main goal is to service our loyal designers, no matter where their projects take them.
Additionally, if you just need the fabricating services, we are happy to ship anywhere in the country.
Do you work with out-of-state designers?
Yes! We’ve often been contacted by designers who don’t live or normally work in our geographical area. But it so happened that they landed a client here. Or their local client has a secondary residence near us. We are happy to be your boots on the ground and eye balls on the window! We will take measurements, snap pictures, do video calls, handle local meetings, fabricate, and install for you.
If you're an out-of-state designer and would like to use our fabrication services only, we'll be happy to provide those as well.
What is the best way to get started?
Send us an email with the specs of your project. Pictures are always welcome. Questions usually come up, so we will most likely reach back out with a phone call. Once everything is clear, we will provide a ballpark estimate via email. It will indicate to both of us if we are aligned in our financial thinking.
If we are, we move on to the next step, which is scheduling an on-site appointment, where our Window Treatment Specialist will meet you on site to take measurements, look through hardware catalogs, reference pictures and provide any and all product knowledge that is needed.
If price is outside of your budget, we can work together to change the specs to bring it more in line with your budget. The changes in specs range from selecting different hardware - to lesser fullness, different style, or alternative product. We have many tools in our arsenal to work within your budget.
What kind of projects do you work on? Do you have minimum orders?
We can do one small blind - to full house of treatments - to multiple model homes. There are no minimums. We have our wonderful loyal designers – and if they need support from us, not matter how big or small, we are here for them.
Do you carry blinds and shades?
Yes, we do! Think of us as a comprehensive resource for all things window treatments (and beyond). We are knowledgeable and up-to-date on blinds, woven wood shades, roller shades, silhouettes, and shutters. Our vendors include Crown, Comfortex, WorldWide, and Hunter Douglas to name just a few.
What is your leadtime?
Our target average leadtime is about 4-6 weeks – that’s what we strive for. Depending on time of the year, our leadtimes range from 4 weeks to sometimes 10 weeks. Best way to know for sure is to give us a call and have a quick chat.
Do you charge to come out and measure?
Our service and pricing are comprehensive. They include measuring, fabricating, installing, and project management. If you approve the initial budget, there will be no additional charge to measure and work through the estimating stage.
Do you install?
Yes! Our services are comprehensive and include measuring, fabricating, AND installing. Our estimate to you will encompass all of these services, including the installation. We have the best installer in the business! Tom is a favorite of our clients for his attention to detail and customer service.
There may be a situation where you need installation services only. We are happy to work with you on a case-by-case basis and support in this way as well.
Do you travel long-distance?
Yes, we do! If our designers are working on a project in a different state or part of the country, we are thrilled to support them wherever their projects take them.
Do you do model homes and how does it work?
Yes, we do. We have worked on many models through our design firms. First step is to receive floor plans and window treatment schedules and specs from the designer. We then provide the summary estimate. The pricing is different from residential pricing and commensurate with specs and volume.
If it is approved, we schedule a measure appointment. Then the process of measuring, estimating, and installing is similar to any residential project.
I don’t know anything about window treatments. Where can I learn more?
You’re in the right place! Welcome to the sometimes complex, rarely boring, and always beautiful world of window treatments. This website has a ton of resources. Start by listening to the Window Treatment Friday series of A Well Designed Business Podcast. Then move onto Window Treatment Friday Live series of videos. You will learn so much. And you can always call us and we will walk you through your 1st project. (and 2nd, and 10th)
What is project management?
Project management is a concept that weaves through every stage of our services. It has to do with us thinking through, foreseeing, and taking care of the million little pesky details that go into a successful window treatment project.
Here’s a non-comprehensive list of behind-the-scenes tasks we perform day in and day out to manage each project.
During estimating stage:
Collect all the necessary specifications
Know what questions to ask to create an accurate estimate
Provide pictorial references to educate and inspire
Lend our experience in what will and will not work (because we’ve made all the mistakes 😊)
Create an estimate – sometimes with 10-20-30-50 revisions
Give product knowledge on every detail of each product
Give advice on the best option to go with
Schedule measuring appointments
Provide a professional quote that we stand behind and honor
During expediting stage:
Put together purchase orders
Communicate with the vendor to make sure all the details are accurately relayed
Research alternative credible sources for fabrics, hardware, and hard goods, when we learn about backorder situations. Help make reselections
Receive every shipment against the purchase order. This means we open every box, unwrap the inner-packing, check that the finish is correct, the diameter of the pole matches the diameter of the bracket, hinges are included with the shutters, the number of rings matches what we ordered, quantities of blinds match, brackets are packed, valance returns are included, the list can go on.
Open up and inspect every fabric. There have been many a times when the color didn’t match what designer selected, or we got linen instead of velvet, or the fabric was damaged. Imagine the liability and responsibility that would have been on the designer, IF we blindly cut into the fabric. We always have our designer’s back!
Each designer has a designated custom report outlining all the pending orders, at various stages of development. Why should you care? Because you are always in-the-know about the status of your order. When you know, you can feel confident and you can communicate with your clients. You feel taken care of and supported.
During installation stage:
Communicate with the client regarding the installation: set up the date, time, and all the other details that go into scheduling. Trust us: scheduling can be a full-time job!
Make sure that everything is set up for the installer to take on the truck with him – sometimes a small little detail (i.e. a missing splice, a broken ring, a wrong part etc. can derail the whole install)
And much much more!
