"One guy clearly knew his stuff, but the others seemed pretty inexperienced and needed constant supervision."
Had a similar experience when we replaced our windows last spring. The main company had stellar reviews, but the crew they sent out was hit or miss. One installer was obviously seasoned, but the other two seemed unsure about basic sealing techniques—I ended up pointing out gaps myself. Makes me wonder how much vetting actually happens behind the scenes... daily feedback sounds good, but shouldn't companies be screening better upfront?
It's pretty common actually, especially during peak seasons when companies subcontract out jobs to keep up with demand. You might have a stellar company reputation overall, but the subcontracted crews can vary widely in skill level. From what I've seen, vetting usually involves basic certification checks and references, but not always hands-on assessments or detailed skill tests.
If you're concerned about quality, one thing you could do upfront is ask specifically if the crew installing your windows is directly employed or subcontracted. Directly employed crews tend to have more consistent training and supervision. Also, don't be shy about asking for references or photos from recent installs—good installers typically take pride in showing off their work. It's not foolproof, but it can help weed out some of the less experienced teams before they show up at your door...
"Directly employed crews tend to have more consistent training and supervision."
Gotta slightly disagree here... I've seen some directly employed crews who were just coasting along because they knew their jobs were safe. Meanwhile, I've worked with subcontractors who hustled hard and did impeccable work because their next gig depended on it. Bottom line—it's less about employment status and more about the individual crew's pride in their craft. Just my two cents from the trenches...
- Had mixed experiences myself...
- Direct crews installed my windows—training seemed solid, but supervision was hit or miss.
- Friend hired subcontractors; they did a cleaner job and were way more attentive to details.
- Agree it's down to the crew's attitude more than employment type.
- Best bet: ask the company upfront about their screening process and maybe check recent customer reviews?
Had a similar experience last year—company had great reviews overall, but the crew that came out seemed kinda rushed. Honestly, it's a bit of luck too...asking upfront definitely helps, but there's always that random factor.
Yeah, totally get that. I've noticed even the best-rated companies sometimes subcontract out jobs when they're slammed, and that's where quality can dip a bit. Always feels like a gamble no matter how much homework you do beforehand...
I've seen subcontractors get a bad rap, but honestly, some of the best window guys I've worked with were subs. Had a job last summer where the main crew was booked solid, so they brought in a subcontractor team. I was skeptical at first—figured we'd be fixing their mistakes later—but these guys were meticulous, even caught stuff the main crew missed before. It's less about subcontracting itself and more about how carefully the company vets their subs...
I've gotta say, your experience sounds great, but I've had the opposite happen. Had subs install my windows once—nice enough guys, but let's just say their attention to detail was... selective. Maybe vetting standards vary more than we think?
Yeah, you're onto something there. Vetting can be pretty hit-or-miss depending on the company. I've seen some subs who are meticulous pros, and others... well, let's just say I wouldn't trust them to hang a picture frame straight. Always worth checking references beforehand.
You're right that references help, but honestly, I've found even those can be a bit unreliable sometimes. People usually only list references that'll say good things, you know? Instead, I'd suggest asking the company directly about their vetting process—like, do they run background checks, verify certifications, or have ongoing training? I've found companies that openly share these details tend to have crews who are consistently solid. Might be worth a shot next time you're hiring someone.