12 questions to ask a window replacement contractor before ... · photo by andersen windows is...

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12 Questions to Ask a Window Replacement

Contractor Before You Hire Them

So you’ve finally decided it’s time to replace your windows. By now, there may be a lot of questions running through your head. Which product to use? What procedures shall be done? How much would it cost? The list goes on so it’s important to have a contractor you can rely on.

The first thing you need to do is look up for a list of contractors within your area. You may search on Google or ask your friends for reference. Just make sure that these companies have an office near you as they will likely be quicker to respond. Make an initial background check by reading the reviews and ratings of other people. Then

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once you’ve narrowed down your options, you may start calling them and asking them questions.

Don’t fret! Renewal By Andersen has provided guide questions you can use before hiring the right window replacement contractor for you.

1. Can I get an exact price quote? How long is it

good for?

Why this is important?

Quotes, bids or estimates contain a rough calculation of the cost of window replacement. It gives you an idea on the kind of project you’re getting into. Ideally, it must specify the materials to be used, types of installation, estimated time, and the number of people who’ll work on the project.

If possible, get multiple bids so you can compare contractors against each other. Don’t hesitate to invite companies to evaluate your windows. This is necessary for a ‘more or less’ accurate cost estimate. You may check with Renewal by Andersen as they provide free in-home consultation. They also give an exact quote for the job 48


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hours after contacting them and the quote is good for one full year.

The lowest bid isn’t always the perfect choice. If one contractor is significantly lower, this may suggest that they aren’t paying insurance premiums. On the other hand, if one charges significantly higher, they may be trying to scam you. Figures must be close with each other so you can decide based on the details of the quote provided


2. Are you a licensed contractor?

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Before posing this question, check with your local government if contractors need licensing. If they do, ask for the license number to see if there are any complaints against the company. A licensed contractor also indicates their ability to pull a working permit for the project.

For states that do not require a license, ask for the contractor’s insurance and bond and if obtaining a permit is part of the contract.

Take note that a business license is different from a professional license. A business license is issued so a company can operate in a city. A professional license requires a written exam and other skills test. A business license does not mean that a contractor is in any way capable of effectively doing the job.


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Ensure that all contractors are certified. This means they obtained proper training and certification. The team from Renewal by Andersen areCertified Master Installers so you can confidently entrust to them the work on your home.

How to see what the state licensing requirements are in your area

Licensing requirements vary by state. Usually, it requires payment of a fee and completion of an exam. It may also require a certain level of competency to acquire a professional license. In some states, applicants must be able to prove they are business owners and that they carry the proper liability insurance.

Check on the specific licensing requirements for Colorado below:

● Colorado

*Not all states require a license. You may need to see with your local government to confirm local licensing requirements

3. Are you Insured? and What types of

insurance do you carry?

Why it matters

Make sure that any company you consider hiring to replace your windows is fully insured. It matters for one very important reason – you don’t want to be liable for injuries and damages to your property that may happen during the project.

You also don’t want to get stuck paying for repairs and for another contractor to finish the job because the first one couldn’t. You may pay a little bit higher price to a contractor that is well insured, but the benefit is well worth it.


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It truly is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your home and major work being done to it.

Other contractors may carry other types of insurance such as health, life, or auto insurance. These insurances will not protect you from losses should an incident occur.

An expired insurance certificate will also get you into trouble.

What Could Happen if your contractor isn’t properly insured?

Unlicensed or improperly licensed contractors will only put you at risk. Imagine a worker falling off a ladder during the installation process and the contractor you hired do not carry the proper insurance. The injured worker might sue you for the medical bills and lost wages because the incident happened in your property.

Or what if your floor tiles were broken after the window fell hard on the floor and the contractor do not have a liability insurance to cover the damage? Well, you’ll end up paying for the cost of fixing the floor tiles and the re-installation of the window from your own pocket.


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There have been countless instances where irreparable damage was done to a home and the contractor had no insurance to cover it leaving the homeowner with no real possibility of recourse, and costs in the 10’s of thousands of dollars to fix the damage falling solely on the owner.

How to ensure any window replacement contractor you consider

for the job is properly insured

A reliable contractor should carry two types of insurance: Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Comprehensive Liability Insurance. The first one covers all medical costs and the worker’s compensation if he suffers injury during the project. The latter covers all incurred damages to your property during the installation process.



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4. Can I see a sample contract?

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Why it matters

Whatever isn’t written isn’t legally binding. At some point in your project, there may be disagreements or misunderstandings and you would want a legal document to resolve all of that. A written document will also protect you from potential legal claims that may arise should the contractor breach any agreement.

Before you sign a contract, make sure the basics are included. The following are

some of the very important content that should be covered:

● an estimated start and completion date

● a detailed list of all materials



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● Payment terms

● Warranty specifications for materials and workmanship

● Clean-up work

● Preliminary inspection

● Right-to-rescind

● Contractor’s compliance to local codes and ordinances

Contracts should be plain and simple. It must be written in a way that both parties can easily specify their rights and responsibilities. Any missing basic content would create a gap in the contract. Should there be any verbal agreements or promises, make sure to get it into writing or else, it might throw off your project schedule

5. Do you have a current project nearby that I/we can visit?

If a contractor has a project nearby, ask if you can visit the site so you can check the quality of their workmanship. A project with the same type as yours would be a good reference to see how familiar they are with the job.

When viewing the site, see if the windows are properly installed, how good and fast the installation team works, and if area is properly maintained. If you could talk with the client, you may also ask how well the project is going. If they don’t have any on-going project, then a recent one will do.


6. Can you provide references from previous clients?

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A reputable contractor should be able to provide you with at least three references with window & door replacement projects similar to yours. But try to ask for 10 names and their contact numbers then make sure you actually talk to at least three clients. These references will help you double check the credibility of the company.

When doing the survey, ask relevant questions to previous clients that tell whether or not a contractor is the right fit for your window replacement project. The following questions are a good start:

1. Was the contractor hired for a large-scale project or a smaller one?

2. Did the contractor provide adequate details of the project in the contract?


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3. Did they show up on time?

4. Were there any delays in the project?

5. Did the job come according to your budget?

6. What was working with the contractor’s crew like?

7. Was communication with the contractor adequate?

8. Did you get the results you expected?

9. Will you hire the same contractor again?

7. Is site clean-up and trash hauling included in

your price?

Daily clean-up of the premises is a must-do unless you’d want to be greeted by dust and debris in the morning. This is even more necessary when the project is expected to take several days.

It is vital to have experts in installation who understand that the process do not just involve properly executing the replacement of the window. They should also master cleaning up the site before, during, and after the project.

Contractors who include trash hauling and even disposing your old windows in their contract take off one big chunk of work. At least, you could enjoy the site of your new home window without worrying about all the junk left from the project.

Renewal by Andersen takes us behind the scene on how professional installation

should be done in this video:


8. Are you & your company properly bonded?

Why it matters

When a contractor is bonded it means they have signed up with a surety company to provide them support in case they fail to complete a job. Hence, you are protected from any financial obligations like payment to material suppliers or subcontractors. It serves as a guaranty from a surety company that the contractor will adhere to the terms of the contract.

A bonded contractor is also a strong indicator of their qualification and expertise on the project. A surety company has already pre-qualified the contractor based on their financial capacity and installation expertise. It is underwritten with minimal expectation of loss.

What could happen if your contractor doesn’t have a bond?

Contractors may default for a number of reasons like bankruptcy, bad working conditions, or insufficient personnel. If any of these happen, you wouldn’t want to be left with missing windows, untied flashings, and unscrewed shims. This is when you can come to the surety company so they can take the proper course of action to complete your project. But if the contractor isn’t bonded, then you don’t have a choice but to hire another team to finish the installation or just leave the project done halfway.

How to make sure your contractor is properly bonded?

To know whether or not a contractor is bonded, ask for their bond number and certification. Ensure that the same is up to date. Then, call the surety company to verify the authenticity and coverage of the bond.


9. What are your payment terms?

Can I pay in deferred schedule?

Before you issue that check or swipe your credit card, make sure you understand your payment options. For any construction project like window replacement, never pay in full. A fairly common deposit would be 20-25% to cover the cost of materials up front. The next payment would be at the start of the project and full payment on its completion. But you may also ask your contractor if they could arrange other financing options.

Renewal By Andersen, for example, has different financing programs you can avail. They offer deferred payment options, low minimum monthly payment, no upfront fees, and a credit line of up to $55,000.

We almost always offer 1 year of financing with no money down, no payments, and no interest.

Do you accept credit card or check?

The decision to pay in cash or not depends on you. However, since most of the installation projects cost you a big sum of money, many would suggest to avoid paying in cash for security reasons. Therefore, paying through credit card or check is a better option. Make sure your preferred payment method is written out clearly in the contract to avoid misunderstandings.

10. What products, windows & hardware will

you use?

A contractor is expected to be an expert not just in installation but in product selection as well. Each home is different, and an experienced contractor will usually


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have a relationship or partnership with a window manufacturer like Renewal by Andersen®.

This type of partnership is great for homeowner because it ensures that the best quality windows and hardware are used, and that there is a consistent process for installation that ensures the best quality.

Product selection is an important step in the installation process. You’ll be looking through and at those windows for the next decade or more, so when you scan through the quote provided, study the products listed by brand, price, service, and even design. You may opt to visit the company’s showroom to see samples for yourself.

We find it’s best to come out to your home so we can actually see what will be the best fit for you and your style. We do this for free, and we’ll also be able to give you a full quote with a price that is good for a full year after we leave your home.


If at all possible, it’s usually better if you deal with a company that is an authorized dealer of a reputable window manufacturer. This ensures that you get windows that will be new, top quality, and backed by the full manufacturer’s warranty.

11. Are you authorized by the window

manufacturer to sell and install their products?

Why it matters

Different products require different handling especially on installation. An authorized contractor has undertaken manufacturer’s training and certification on product selling and installation technique. This means they are allowed to sell, install, and perform warranty work of the window products. By this, you’re confident to let them do the job knowing they work closely with the manufacturer.

What could happen if they’re not authorized?

Although your potential contractor has been in the business for years or have done similar projects, if they are not authorized, there is a greater risk of improper installation, inconsistency in hardware, and lack of expertise in regard to this specific product. Also, if they are not authorized dealers of the product, chances are the windows you’re buying will not be covered by any warranty. They may even be priced higher unlike authorized dealers who charge a fair price as they get full access to discounted manufacturer’s products.

How to make sure your contractor is properly authorized by the

window manufacturer?

One sure way to find out if your contractor is an authorized dealer is to verify with the window manufacturer. You may call them or check their website to view their dealer profile and confirm the products they are authorized to sell and services authorized to perform.


For instance, Renewal by Andersen has a group of authorized dealers called Andersen Circle of Excellence Dealer. Contractors who are part of this group have undergone factory training with Andersen. They can provide you with a full list of the products with the best prices to offer and they are certified installers who perform a job under warranty.

12. Do you warranty your installation? What is

covered? How long is it covered for?

Why it matters

If there is a problem with your new windows, it will most likely come from the installation first. No matter how great the windows are, they are only as good as their installation.

A contractor must warrant their workmanship. This gives you a peace of mind if problems occur due to poor or defective installation practices.

Normally, installation labor warranties are for a year or more. And usually, problems on installation appear quickly within a year or two so longer warranties don’t necessarily mean they are more valuable than those with shorter warranty coverage.

It is also important to know what exactly does the warranty cover. Most warranty only covers problems associated with installation. Hence, replacement on a sealed unit is not covered as it is classified as “skilled labour.” Maintenance work such as cleaning tracks and caulking are also not covered with warranty.

What could happen if the installation isn’t covered under warranty?

If a warranty doesn’t cover installation, you would have to handle repairs by yourself or pay them to do the labor. That’s taking money out of your own pocket again. It


matters to have warranties that cover labor so you won’t have to be stressed with shelling out to rectify the problem.

What to look for to make sure there is an adequate warranty on the

installation.

There are three vital points to consider so you can assume you have an adequate installation warranty.

● Company’s Reputation – As they say, “Warranties are only as strong as the company offering it.” It is still more important to know the history and reputation of the company. Is it easy to contact them? Have they been in the business for years? How do they handle complaints? These questions are necessary to trust if the contractor can indeed put up with the warranty they offer. After all, what good is a lifetime warranty if you they don’t respond quickly or if they won’t be in the business after 10 years?

● Transferability – Most established companies like Renewal by Andersen offer transferrable warranties. So if you plan to sell your home in the future, the new homeowner is still covered should there be any problem with the installed windows.

● List of coverage – When checking for the warranty, check for a list of coverage. Watch out for the following:

● Service Call / Diagnosis Charges

● Installation of parts that are covered by the manufacturer

● Other items included

Renewal by Andersen carries a 2 year warranty on installation, and it is

transferrable.


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If you’re looking for a window replacement

contractor that checks all the boxes above with flying colors…

Call us to set up your free in-home consultation today!

(303) 968-3288

We’ll come to your home, do a complete evaluation of your windows and home, and give you an exact quote within 48 hours

that will be good for a full year.


12 questions to ask a window replacement contractor before ... · photo by andersen windows is...

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