My wife and I quoted out a few aluminum contractors, and we felt that Royal Crown's quote offered the most value. We also appreciated the BBB and HomeStars ratings. However, it's always a bit of a gamble when you're trying out a new contractor.
For the most part, we were satisfied with the railings installed on our front porch. We were replacing old wrought iron railings and were pleased with the craftsmanship and aesthetic/appearance of the work that was done.
That being said, there were some issues with the process of booking that actual job. The estimate was booked and performed promptly, but for the job we were initially given a date and approximate time (we were told that the installation would arrive roughly first thing in the morning - between 9 and 10) - only to have the installers not show up by late afternoon, without a call explaining why. When I called to get an explanation (they were "running late with a previous job") and re-book the job, there was a communication mix-up, and I was given the wrong date on the second attempt. On the third attempt, despite my request for a morning installation, the contractor arrived at 1:30pm. In the end the job was done, but after 3 attempts, it was a bit disconcerting.
The other small, yet notable issue was with the on-site clean-up after the job was performed. After the contractor had left, I noticed loose screws and aluminum shavings all around the work area. I should have mentioned that we have small children, so a note to anyone considering using Royal Crown, please make sure the contractor has adequately cleaned up their mess before they leave - or be prepared to spend an hour with a Shop Vac yourself!!
Despite the two issues above, I'm still pleased with the work that was done, and hope that the workmanship and materials stand the test of time. Also, they were very accommodating when following up on touch-up painting, which was a plus.
