Window Installation is a process you may not be familiar with until it’s time to change the windows of your home. Even then, there’s a lot to learn about which products to use and what procedures best meet your individual window needs. Therefore, it is important to find a window installation company that can give you good advice about the products and processes involved.
When you want to install a new window, you’ll want to make sure it is done properly. There are many companies providing window installation services to both residential and commercial buildings. Here are tips on how to find a reliable window installation company, including questions to ask.
Consider reputation.
When selecting a company, consider how long they have been in business. Read online reviews and check to see if they are registered with the Better Business Bureau, a non-profit organization that registers consumer reviews to help build trust between companies and consumers.
Asking whether the company supplies CSA certified windows and doors will help ensure you are getting a quality product. The CSA Group provides testing, certification, and standards for windows and doors.
Find the full name and company address.
Obtaining the full address of the company is an important factor when determining how long the company has been in existence. If a P.O. Box is given, ask for a full street address as well. Moreover, try to hire a contractor that has an office nearby, for fast response times.
Is the company licensed?
Not all states require contractors to be licensed. If your state does license contractors, then they might have passed a written examination in their specialty, although few licensors make this a requirement. Check with your local licensing office for more information.
A contractor may also answer this question by telling you that they have a professional license. Some cities require professional licensing. Certain window manufacturers offer a variety of programs to professional contractors that establish their credentials as a competent window company.
How long has the company been in existence?
Being in business for less than three years signifies that the company is still very new. However, everybody must start somewhere. References are useful when verifying company details, and especially important when working with a new company. A newer company may have a bright future, but it is only reasonable to be more careful when considering its referrals. The failure rate of small companies in the first three years is very high.
Will the company provide references or referrals from previous projects?
Ask for a sample of their portfolio, if available. Keep in mind, however, that many do not have photos. Also, ask for the names and telephone numbers of recent clients. It is not necessary to check all of the references, but you will be able to pick from a list to call from.
What is the company’s workmanship warranty?
Normally, company workmanship warranties last for a year or more. However, longer warranties are not necessarily more important than shorter warranties. The warranty duration/ period is as important as the ability of the company to stick to the terms warranty. That is best assessed using customer referrals.
Long-Term warranties given by the company or business are more important than the warranty coverage during the later years of the project. Even when problems of workmanship arise after the warranty has lapsed, a reputable company will always want to stand behind their work.
Ask the company if they have ever lost a job-related court case.
Ask if their contractor’s license has ever been suspended, and why. Through talking to the relevant authorities, like the Better Business Bureau, and checking the licensing departments, find out if any charges have been filed against the company to whom you are about to award the project. Many companies in the window installation business have been involved in court-related cases. Ask how the dispute was settled, to test the company’s reputation.
Site preparation and clean-up
If you do not ask about this, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise when you realize the window installation company left your home a mess, or trampled on your garden bed during installation. A reputable installer should want to protect your property and respect your wishes. Ask how they will protect the work site, what they will do with the old windows, and how they will clean up after.
Does the company have insurance?
A company should have extensive liability insurance and employee compensation insurance to protect you in case of any accident. This can be confirmed by asking to see the company’s certificates of insurance (workers’ compensation and general liability). Let the company know you want current certificates sent to you by the insurer before you start the job.
Contractors may also engage in other forms of insurance, such as life, health, and auto insurance. Companies with insurance follow safety procedures to prevent an accident when executing a project to cover overhead cost. These expenses could be the cause of cost variations between contractors who follow the due processes versus those who ignore them.
Beware of uninsured contractors. Companies that are not on a premium insurance plan are likely cheaper to hire as they do not have the large insurance premiums to pay. Employee compensation premiums can increase wage costs from about 20% to 100%, depending on the plan.
It is up to the homeowner to determine if it is worth the risk to hire a contractor without a full insurance plan. Here are a few reasons why a contractor may not subscribe to a full insurance policy:
- Not a full-time contractor
- Operates as a partnership or sole proprietorship
- New in the business
- Can’t afford insurance premiums
- Doesn’t stand behind work
True View provides quality installations
Replacing windows can be stressful, especially when it comes to choosing a reliable company to install them. Several factors should be put into consideration when choosing a window replacement company, and it is important that you make the best decision for your investment.
At True View, our team of high quality window installers are knowledgeable, experienced, and willing to go the extra mile to ensure that you have a great experience. From initial measurements, to precise installation, and a meticulous clean-up to make sure we leave your home as clean as we found it, you can rest easy when True View’s on the job. Contact us today for all your window and glass needs.
A note from Ron & Deb: