How We Work
While we pride ourselves on offering every customer a complete service from concept to completion, we’re often asked about how we work, what our process is, and what’s involved at any stage of a project.
When you’re looking to make an investment in authentically handcrafted wooden windows or doors from Nathan McCarter Joinery, we always follow a process that helps us get to know you and your requirements before we get started, as well as keeping you up to date during and after your project.
It’s a process designed to help us exceed your expectations and to ensure your complete satisfaction. While we know planning any home improvements or renovations can be a busy time, we want to help make it as easy as possible for you to get the best results for your home.
Here’s what you can expect…
1. Your initial consultation & estimate
After you contact us, either by phone, email, or through our contact form, we’ll take your name, location, and contact details before we discuss what you want to achieve for your home – it’s your opportunity to tell us all about the ideas and plans you have.
Every project is different, so we’ll ask you for any additional information including measurements, drawings or pictures, any relevant planning information, or special requirements. All the information you can provide us with at this stage will help us give you a price estimate and more detail about your work which we’ll get to you within 7 working days.
We’ll leave the information with you to read and review at your leisure, but if there’s any part of it you’re not sure about or want to discuss with us in more detail, just let us know. If not, we’ll be in touch with a courtesy call or email after five days to make sure you’ve received your estimate and to follow up on any questions you might have.
2. Your confirmation and project planning
When you confirm with us that you’ll go ahead with your project based on our estimate, we’ll send you an order confirmation. This will include details of a 25% payment deposit of the total balance of the work, which covers materials, and initial craftsmanship and labour costs.
When we’ve received your payment, we’ll also arrange a convenient time with you to complete a home site survey. This is where we can finalise any measurements and details, checking access and conditions before we get started on your project. Any cost differences will be agreed and amended on your final supply balance (if required) from the final site survey. We’ll also ask you to confirm your chosen ironmongery and paint coating colour choice. We will ask for another 25% payment after the final site survey.
As a final step of this stage, we’ll look to give you a completion date for your windows or doors as we begin the process of handcrafting them. This is when your project really comes to life and the point where we invite you to our Tavistock workshop for a tour and a first-hand look at them being created by our experienced craftsmen.
Throughout the whole process, you’ll be kept up to date on our progress and be safe in the knowledge that we’re looking after you all the way.
3. Your project completion and aftercare
When your windows or doors are fully complete, sprayed, glazed, and finished, we’ll arrange for the safe and secure delivery of the windows or doors to your address. This can be on any specific day at a chosen time, ready for installation by your chosen fitter. At this stage, we’ll prepare and request your final 50% balance payment details prior to delivery.
If you’ve requested we fit your windows or doors for you, our experienced installation team will arrive on-site fully prepared and ready to go, and they’ll leave your home in a clean and tidy condition when they’re finished. We’ll invoice for the window installation separately for our pre-agreed price, once the fitting is complete.
In the weeks and months following the installation of your windows or doors, it’s perfectly natural to have a few questions or need some advice on their upkeep or any particular issues you might have. Our aftercare service to you means you’re welcome to contact us at any time – we’re here for you for as long as you need us.
Finally, as a customer, you’re at the heart of what we do and we always strive to create perfection in bringing a bespoke, handcrafted finish to your home. As a final sign off to us working on your project, we always welcome customer reviews to help us enhance our reputation for quality, excellence, and service. To read some of our recent reviews and to leave us one of your own, visit our reviews page.
Some reviews from our clients
Fantastic guys. Brilliant work done by these guys and I fully trust them and feel comfortable when they are in my home. They have done our windows, front door and mantelpiece and it’s all brilliant work. I highly recommend them.
Yelverton Barn Conversion – View Case Study
After reviewing many independent joiners and larger window companies, I chose Nathan McCarter to carry out the replacement of all my windows and doors due to their high professionalism at every part of the process – from the flawless and efficient quotation stage, the high quality and design of the product itself to the superb aftercare and communication throughout.
Nathan McCarter was also the only joiner who showed real commitment and dedication in supporting me in restoring my grade 2 listed property, without which I would not have got through the planning process with the results I received. I will be using this company again when I come to restore my holiday cottage later in the year – no other quotes needed!
Grade 2 listed property
We had a conservatory built by Nathan and his team on the front of our cottage. Because of the nature of the property, it presented a number of challenges during the installation, but the product is excellent and the after-sales service was superb.
Steve Wood
Nathan McCarter Joinery gave courteous, efficient service and provided excellent craftsmanship when our window needed replacing. We would not hesitate to use the firm again.
Mrs K Ellis
Excellent quality windows beautifully made and professionally installed. Made big differences to every room.
Chris Parkes