Among Builders and Remodelers, Simonton Windows Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Windows and Patio Doors WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 7
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Simonton Windows ranks
highest in satisfying builders and remodelers with windows and patio doors,
according to the J.D. Power and Associates/McGraw-Hill Construction 2008
Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction Study(SM)
released today.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050527/LAF028LOGO-a)
Now in its third year, the study measures satisfaction with residential
windows and patio doors based on responses from new-home builders and
remodelers by evaluating performance in seven factors (in order of
importance): product (20%); warranty and repair service (19%); value (18%);
customer service and support (14%); delivery (11%); credit/billing process
(9%); and ordering process (9%). The study is designed to provide
comprehensive information to assist window and patio door manufacturers in
their efforts to improve customer satisfaction.
Simonton achieves an index score of 829 on a 1,000-point scale and
performs particularly well in the ordering process, delivery and value factors.
Pella and Milgard follow in the rankings, scoring 821 and 813, respectively.
Pella performs well in the customer service and support and credit/billing
process factors, while Milgard performs particularly well in warranty and
repair service.
Despite a challenging economic environment for the homebuilding and
construction industries, overall satisfaction has improved notably in 2008
(796), compared with 2007 (780). In addition, value has increased in
importance as a driver of satisfaction in 2008, compared with the previous
year.
"The increase in importance of the value factor -- which denotes builders'
and remodelers' perception of product value compared to the price paid -- is
not unexpected, given the current trying times in the housing industry in
which both construction and sales are down," said Jim Howland, senior director
of the construction and real estate practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "In
spite of the market downturn, however, window and patio door manufacturers
have succeeded in satisfying customers by not only providing high-quality
products, but also by elevating levels of customer service and support."
The study finds that the energy efficiency of windows and patio doors has
emerged as a particularly important product feature in 2008.
"Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of energy efficient and
environmentally friendly building options, and builders and remodelers are
responding accordingly to consumer demand by placing particular importance on
energy efficiency when evaluating products," said Burleigh Morton, senior
director of research and analytics at McGraw-Hill Construction. "In addition,
if builders and remodelers are able to tout the energy efficiency of windows
and patio doors that they install, it may give them an edge in the tight
housing and construction markets."
The 2008 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door
Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 2,837 new-home builders and
remodelers. Each respondent evaluated up to two manufacturers of residential
windows and patio doors. The study was fielded between May and June 2008.
About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a
global marketing information services company operating in key business
sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement,
training and customer satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction
measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For
more information on home building and home improvement, car reviews and
ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please
visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The
McGraw-Hill Companies.
About McGraw-Hill Construction
McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP),
connects people, projects and products across the design and construction
industry. Backed by the power of Dodge, Sweets, Engineering News-Record (ENR),
Architectural Record, and Regional Publications, the Company provides
information, intelligence, tools, applications and resources to help customers
grow their business. McGraw-Hill Construction serves more than one million
customers within the $4.6 trillion global construction community. For more
information, visit http://www.construction.com
About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global
information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial
services, education and business information markets through leading brands
such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power
and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries.
Sales in 2007 were $6.8 billion. Additional information is available at
http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.
Media Relations Contacts:
Jeff Perlman John Tews
Brandware Public RelationsJ.D. Power and Associates
5076 Chesebro Road5435 Corporate Drive, Suite 300
Agoura Hills, CA 91301Troy, Mich. 48098
(818) 706-1915(248) 312-4119
jperlman@brandwaregroup.com john.tews@jdpa.com
No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in
this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and
Associates. http://www.jdpower.com/corporate
Customer Satisfaction J.D. Power.com Power
Index RankingCircle Ratings
(Based on a 1,000-point scale)For Consumers
Simonton Windows829 5
Pella 821 4
Milgard 813 4
Marvin 810 4
Andersen809 4
Industry Average796 3
CertainTeed 794 3
MI Windows and Doors781 2
Atrium 772 2
Weather Shield 768 2
JELD-WEN765 2
MW (Ply Gem)761 2
PGT Industries 757 2
Silver Line 755 2
Power Circle Ratings Legend:
5 - Among the best
4 - Better than most
3 - About average
2 - The rest
SOURCE J.D. Power and Associates
