Frequently
Asked Questions of our Customers:
What does CEI Awning do?
We are a full-service manufacturer of permanent and seasonal fabric
awnings starting with the design and ending with the installation of
our products. We are capable of designing awnings for commercial and
residential customers. CEI Awning also provides service and repair for
fabric awnings as well. We also do some light industrial work for factories
such as curtains and covers for equipment. Fabric signs and banners
round out the rest of our services.
Can CEI Awning do lettering, logos, and addresses on awnings?
CEI Awning offers a wide variety of graphic services including design
and application to the awnings. We can offer digital printed banners
and vinyl lettering. Most awnings are painted using a screen ink in
the color of your choice. Please keep in mind most cities and townships
have regulations that limit your signage on awnings and will need approval
before beginning the job.
Do I need a permit for my job?
Commercial-Most new commercial jobs will require approval from the municipal
building department. CEI Awning offers services to secure permits for
this type of application. We are required to register as a contractor
in the corresponding city where the work in which your job takes place.
Many cities have a multiple step approval process for awnings. You may
be required to go through the City Planning Commission and/or Architectural
Review Board before even getting a permit. The permit fee will vary
depending on the price of the job and individual fees assessed by the
governing building department. Sometimes an awning will also require
a separate permit for signage or logos. Every city is different and
each case is handled in its own way. Finally, some commercial awnings
will require a stamped drawing by a certified architect or engineer.
Application plan review fees, stamped drawings, and drawing time determine
the price to provide this service for you as a customer.
Existing awnings that need to be recovered generally will not need a
permit. However, some cities will require a new cover with signage to
be approved.
Residential-Most residential jobs would not require
a permit for a canvas awning.
Please note that because codes and regulations change everyday and we
typically do not know how long the process will take or how much it
will cost, CEI Awning prices out each fee as incurred.
How long does an awning last?
The age of an awning will depend on many factors including the location,
the type of material used, and if it is up year-round. Despite the advances
in fabric technology, you will eventually need to replace your fabric.
The fabric can last on average 7 to 10 years if a high quality fabric
is used. Generally, awning frames are typically never replaced. All
materials CEI Awning will use have a limited warranty for the fabric
of 5 years. Some commercial materials have longer warranties. CEI Awning
warrants all workmanship and installation for 1 year after the completion
of the job.
When is the best time to order an awning?
Believe it or not but the winter is the best time to order an awning
from CEI Awning. We typically are less busy in the winter and can provide
the quickest lead time. During the busiest time of the year our lead
time may reach 10 weeks from the order due to our in-house jobs. We
suggest you order in the fall if you are replacing an existing awning
cover and by early spring for all seasonal awning orders. Permanent
awnings can be installed all year round. We do not close for the winter.
Can I use a retractable awning in the rain?
The best possible answer we can give to this question is no. Retractable
awnings are intended to be used for shade coverage. While the fabric
is water repellant, there is no structural support to allow the awning
cover to support water other than a light drizzle. If the awning is
pocketing any water, you can cause serious damage to the awning and/or
your house. If your need is something to shed the rain off of your patio,
please see our page on stationary patio awnings.
What are your terms of sale?
CEI Awning typically will ask for ½ deposits for the down payment
and the balance is due upon completion. We accept cash, check, MasterCard,
Visa, and Discover for payment. Sorry, we do not accept American Express
at this time. Please keep in mind warranties are not honored until payment
is made in a timely manner after completion of the job.
Do you offer any discounts or sales?
From time to time we will offer pre-season sales but due to the custom
nature of our business, we feel it is best to give every customer the
best possible price for each job. We calculate all factors (materials,
labor, location, and travel time) in pricing your job with due diligence.
If for some reason you get a similar estimate from another reputable
awning company, we would consider lowering our price provided we are
comparing “apples to apples”. Our 20-plus years of experience
have found that it is better to offer the highest quality of service,
than the lowest price.
Please contact CEI Awning for any additional questions you may have
at kpo1974@sbcglobal.net.
