Rebarts Interiors Comparative Summary

Bart San Diego, co-owner of Rebarts Interiors in Burlingame, says his customers never have to worry about second thoughts or regrets when purchasing a window covering. “We feature a program called "Right Choice Promise," which lets you keep your blinds, shutters or drapery for three weeks before deciding if you’re satisfied,” he says. “If you’re not, the replacement is free, so you never have to worry about living with a decision you regret.”

Mr. San Diego started Rebarts Interiors out of his garage in 1982. In the words of his wife, co-owner Rebecca San Diego, he was a “one-man band. He knocked on doors in the morning, saw clients in the afternoon, processed paperwork and installed in the evening, and placed orders until midnight.” The San Diegos built the company to its current size and success: 12 employees, working from a 2,000-square-foot showroom. Today, Mr. San Diego is the face of the company and understands the business “inside and out,” says Ms. San Diego.

Rebarts Interiors is a family business that also treats its customers like family, says Ms. San Diego. Clients are “taken care of and satisfied,” from the first estimate to the final follow-up. The company is disciplined about its follow-ups, not only writing thank-you notes but performing what Ms. San Diego refers to as “hand holding.” These reassurances are necessary and welcome, she says, given that window coverings—particular top-of-the-line Hunter Douglas products—can be a significant investment. “They’re the Rolls Royce of window coverings,” she confirms.

Window covering installation, which is always free, is performed by skilled installers who are personally trained by Mr. San Diego. Without even measuring a window, he can often foresee problems—if, for example, it’s not deep enough to accommodate a shudder. For the San Diegos, that level of expertise—rare at big-box retailers—is what truly sets Rebarts Interiors apart.