We're finally biting the bullet and replacing our ancient windows (seriously, they might be older than me, lol). I've never dealt with window contractors before, and honestly, I'm a bit overwhelmed. I don't wanna miss anything important or get blindsided by hidden fees or whatever. Anyone been through this recently and have tips on stuff I definitely need to ask about before I commit?
Definitely ask about their cleanup process afterward—my installers left a surprising amount of debris behind, and it was a pain. Also, have you thought about window styles yet? I'm still debating between sliders or double-hungs myself...
"Definitely ask about their cleanup process afterward—my installers left a surprising amount of debris behind, and it was a pain."
Yeah, good call on the cleanup question. I learned that lesson the hard way when I replaced my patio doors—still finding bits of glass months later. As for window styles, have you considered how often you'll actually open them? Sliders are great for wide views, but double-hungs can be easier to clean from inside. It's worth thinking through your daily use before deciding...
Good points above, especially on cleanup—been there myself, not fun. A few other things I'd add from experience:
- Confirm warranty details clearly—what exactly is covered and for how long.
- Ask about their policy if something gets damaged during installation (walls, siding, etc.).
- Check if they handle permits or if that's on you.
- Clarify timelines and what happens if they run behind schedule.
Better to ask upfront than deal with surprises later...
- Check if they handle permits or if that's on you. - Clarify timelines and what happens if they run behind schedule.
Good call on permits—hadn't thought of that myself. Also, make sure you ask about payment structure. Don't pay it all upfront; usually it's a deposit first, then installments as work progresses. And double-check if disposal of old windows is included or extra. Learned that the hard way when I had a pile of junk windows sitting in my driveway for a week...
Good tips so far. A couple more things I'd add from experience:
- Ask about warranty details—what exactly is covered and for how long. Some installers offer lifetime warranties, but the fine print can be tricky...
- Confirm who's responsible for interior/exterior touch-ups after installation. Had a friend who ended up repainting window frames himself because the installer didn't include finishing work.
- Check if they'll protect your floors and furniture during installation. Saves you from vacuuming glass shards out of your carpet later (trust me on this one).
Good points overall, especially about the warranty fine print. I've seen some installers advertise "lifetime warranties," but when you dig deeper, it's only covering specific parts or defects under very limited conditions. Definitely worth clarifying upfront.
"Confirm who's responsible for interior/exterior touch-ups after installation."
This is crucial. Had a similar experience myself—installer left minor damage around the frames, and I ended up patching drywall and repainting trim on my own dime. Another thing I'd add is to ask explicitly about disposal of old windows. Some companies assume you'll handle it yourself or charge extra fees if you don't specify beforehand. Learned that one the hard way when I found a pile of old windows stacked neatly in my driveway after the crew left...
Also, might be worth checking if they subcontract any part of the job. Not necessarily a deal-breaker, but subcontractors can sometimes complicate accountability if something goes wrong.
You're spot on about the subcontractor issue—I ran into something similar when I had my roof done. The main company was great, but their subcontractors left a bit of a mess behind, and it was tricky figuring out who to talk to afterward. Good call mentioning the disposal too; I wouldn't have even thought of that until seeing your post. Definitely adding that to my checklist now... thanks for sharing your experience!
Definitely good points raised here. Another thing I'd suggest is asking upfront about their warranty details—not just the manufacturer's warranty on the windows themselves, but also the installer's workmanship warranty. Sometimes those are separate, and it's easy to overlook. Also, clarify who's responsible if something gets damaged during installation—like siding or interior walls. Learned that one the hard way when I had my patio doors replaced... better safe than sorry.
Good call on the warranty details—honestly hadn't even thought about installer warranties being separate. Is that common practice, or just certain companies? I'm always a bit skeptical when it comes to who covers what if something goes wrong... feels like there's always a loophole somewhere. Now I'm wondering if I should've asked more questions when I had my gutters done recently. Either way, appreciate the heads-up on potential hidden issues.