Replacement Window Contractors: Sorting the Good from the Bad
From Brittany on May 19th, 2011 in Window Replacement
Have you ever been approached by a door-to-door contractor, taken one look at them, and thought, something isn’t right here?
You’re not alone.
Contractor fraud is a real problem, and though we’ve all heard the horror stories, some homeowners still don’t know how to protect themselves.
In fact, the higher the project costs, the more scams are likely to take place. This leaves customers of window replacement jobs particularly vulnerable.
So how to make sure your investment is safe?
Screening Your Window Installers for Quality
The trick is to get three contractor bids, minimum. CalFinder installers are not only pre-screened for quality, but provide free cost estimates for window installation.
You can get window cost estimates quickly by clicking here.
Unlike other contractors, CalFinder pros are always screened for:
- Licensing
- Liability insurance
- Quality work history
- Awards and accreditation
No gimmicks, no flashy sales pitches. Just contractors you can trust, vetted by a nationally recognized third-party source.
Compare Your Estimates, Weed Out the Unfavorables
We also recommend avoiding the lowest bid. Reports show time and again that low-cost installations yield low-quality results.
For window replacements, this can mean poorly installed seals, frames and sashes, leading to rain damage and low energy-efficiency in your home. Plus, the costs to undo and reinstall a shoddy window job can be higher than what you paid in the first place.
Once you’ve gotten your bids, request a written estimate from the contractors you like best. Make sure the window estimates include line-item costs of labor, materials, products purchased by the contractor, and a time-frame schedule so you know what to expect.
Ask about warranties on workmanship and repair guarantees should there be an issue down the road.
It may be difficult, but try not to focus only on window costs and scheduling. Think first about quality and credibility. Where is this contractor coming from? Do they have references and pictures of previous window installs to show you? Are they someone you can trust?
Amazingly, studies show that homeowners that hired contractors recommended by friends or neighbors ultimately faced the same scheduling delays and added costs as those that hired complete strangers.
This means that no matter how high the praise, installers can still pull the wool over your eyes.
It all comes down to those window contractor referrals. Have you gotten yours yet?
Photos via Frerieke and Andersen Windows
