Good advice on timing. Let me throw in a perspective from when things go wrong: warranty and service issues. One mistake is not understanding the warranty or who to contact if you have a problem after installation. We had a situation where one of our new windows had a minor defect (a seal in the double-pane was slightly warped causing a bit of fogging between the panes). It was covered under warranty, but I initially didn't know whether to call the window manufacturer or the installer to get it fixed. I wasted time bouncing between phone calls.
Eventually, I realized the proper channel: I called the installer (contractor) first, and they handled dealing with the manufacturer to get the glass pane replaced. They came out and swapped it, no charge. But the mistake was not having clarity on the warranty process from the get-go. When your project is done, make sure you know: how long is the warranty, what does it cover (frames, glass, installation labor, etc.), and who do you call if something isn't right. And keep all your paperwork! I put my window purchase agreement and warranty info in a safe folder. A friend of mine had window issues years later but lost his documents and didn't even remember the company name to call.
Here's something I learned about communication with your contractor, which if you mess up, can be a mistake: Always establish a primary point of contact and preferred method of updates. In our project, the company had a salesperson, a project manager, and an installation foreman all involved at different stages. We assumed everyone internally was on the same page, but there were a few miscommunications. For example, we told the salesperson we wanted to keep our old front door (just doing windows, not doors), but somehow the install crew had paperwork listing a new front door. It got sorted out, but it delayed things a bit while they double-checked our order.
It taught me to confirm everything in writing and reach out if something seems off. Now, this wasn't a huge "mistake" on our part, but it could have turned into one if we hadn't caught the error. The takeaway: don't be shy to double-check details with your contractor and make sure you know who to call or email if you have questions during the project. And get changes or special requests noted in the contract or work order, so the crew knows too.
As a Tampa Bay resident of many years and someone who went through window replacement recently, I want to bring up hurricane preparedness as part of this. One mistake is not planning around hurricane season – kind of echoing @psage55. In my case, we deliberately scheduled our install for November to avoid the peak of storm season. But a neighbor of mine wasn't so lucky; they started a window project in late September and then a surprise tropical storm hit. They had a couple of windows out at the time. The crew hurried to cover the openings, but wind-driven rain still caused some water to get into the house, and they were freaking out until everything could be finished.
So I'd reiterate: if you can, schedule outside of June-November or at least watch the weather forecasts closely. And always have a contingency: some plywood or heavy-duty plastic to temporarily seal openings if a storm pops up. Also, consider going with impact-rated windows here in the Bay area – it's not just about safety, it can also make your life easier (no putting up shutters last minute). My impact windows gave me huge peace of mind last season. The mistake would be skimping on that if you have the budget for it. Some people do regular windows and plan on shutters, which is okay if you do follow through. Just don't wait until a hurricane is bearing down to think about window protection.
Wow, this thread is pure gold. Thanks to everyone who's shared so far. I'm in the planning stage for window replacements on my 1980s home in Brandon, and I feel so much more prepared after reading these. I think I'm avoiding a few pitfalls already:
Definitely going to get 3-4 quotes and not just go with the flashy ad I saw on TV.
Will make sure any contractor I hire handles permits or at least doesn't discourage them.
Already told my HOA I'll be changing windows and got their guidelines (fortunately they're pretty chill, but better safe than sorry).
And I'm making a timeline that accounts for ordering and maybe some weather wiggle room.
It's like a checklist of what not to do and what to double-check. Huge shoutout to this community. I'll keep following this thread and probably ask more as I go through it. You all rock! 🤘
Glad to hear this is helping, @lpaws72! That's exactly why I wanted to start this conversation. 😊 Just reading through, we've covered so many great points. It's interesting to see how many of us had issues around permits and communication especially. Those seem to be common themes.
One thing I wanted to add (based on a friend’s experience): don’t ignore the small stuff in the contract. My friend overlooked that his contract had an escalation clause for unforeseen structural repairs. When they removed his old windows, they found water damage in the wall. Fixing that was necessary (no argument there), but it added an extra $1,500 that he hadn't expected. It was in the contract that any wood rot repair was extra, but he hadn't noticed that line. He told me he kind of glazed over that part. So, pro tip: read the contract thoroughly, and if you see something about "possible additional costs," ask about it beforehand. That way you’re not caught off guard if it happens.
Speaking of contracts and costs, another mistake is not budgeting a little extra for those surprises. A good rule of thumb I learned is to have maybe 10-15% of the project cost set aside for the "just in case" scenarios. I went slightly over budget because I decided mid-project to upgrade to better hardware (locks and handles) on my windows. It wasn't a huge amount, but it was an add-on I hadn't originally planned for. Others here mentioned things like wood rot repairs or additional trim work, which can also increase costs. If you budget absolutely every penny to the initial quote and have nothing cushion, you might stress out if something bumps the price.
Also, consider unexpected extras: like if your window openings need new flashing, or if your alarm company needs to come reconnect security sensors after the windows are done (I had to pay my alarm guy to reinstall the window sensors). These little things can add up.
I want to second what @robotics445 and @matthewcoder3090 said. When they took out two of our old windows, they found termite damage in the sill. We had to call pest control and replace part of the wood frame before the new window could go in. Totally unforeseen, and yes it cost extra and added a week. We did have a contingency but used it all. So yeah, always wise to expect the unexpected when opening up walls in an older Florida home.
On another note, I have a tip to avoid a communication mistake: if your house (like many here) has an alarm system, remember to tell the installers about any sensors on your windows. Our installer asked us beforehand, so we put the alarm on test mode and detached the sensor wires. But I've heard of cases where if the crew isn't told, they might accidentally cut the wires or rip sensors off when removing the old windows, which could trigger alarms or require reinstallation. So as a homeowner, it's on us to prep things like that or at least inform them.
Ah good call on alarm sensors @geo733. I hadn't even thought of that when I did mine (one of my windows set off the alarm while they were working, gave everyone a mini heart attack 😅).
I also remembered another "oops": not prepping the work area properly. By that I mean, clear the area around your windows inside and out. I had to quickly move furniture and take down curtains when the crew arrived because I underestimated how much space they'd need. It slows things down if the installers have to wait for you to move your grandma's china cabinet away from the window, haha. Also, cover your stuff or ask if they will. There was a ton of dust from cutting into drywall and stucco. I came in later to find my furniture and floors really dusty in the rooms they worked in. In hindsight, I should've thrown down some drop cloths or plastic sheets myself in addition to what they put down.
So yeah, mistake: not protecting your interior (and exterior) belongings on installation day. Move things, cover things – your installers (and your furniture) will thank you.
Since we're compiling all these great tips, here's one more mistake to avoid: ignoring energy efficiency opportunities. Some folks replace windows just for aesthetics or basic function and don't think about the efficiency aspect too much. But in Tampa Bay's hot climate, not considering things like Low-E coatings, double-pane vs single-pane, or argon gas fill can be a missed opportunity. My neighbor replaced his windows with something that wasn't much better than what he had, just newer. He didn't opt for Low-E glass or insulated frames, and now he's kicking himself every summer because his house still heats up like crazy in the afternoon.
When I did mine, I made sure to get windows that were ENERGY STAR rated for our region. It does make a difference on your cooling bill and comfort. The mistake would be to say "oh that's just marketing" and skip it. It might cost a bit more up front for better glass, but you'll likely save money in the long run here in Florida. Plus, I think there were even some rebates or tax credits for energy-efficient windows the year I did it (not sure what's available now, but worth looking into!).
That's an excellent point @kathyw32. And since we're on the efficiency and benefits topic, I'll add this: missing out on insurance discounts. In Florida, if you install impact-resistant windows or other hurricane protections, many insurance companies will give you a discount on your homeowners insurance. I made the mistake of not knowing this right away. After my windows were done (I got all impact glass), a friend asked if I'd gotten my wind mitigation inspection done. I was like "huh?" 😅 I ended up getting a wind mitigation report (an inspector comes and documents your hurricane protections, like impact windows, reinforced garage door, roof straps, etc.). I submitted that to my insurance and sure enough, got a decent discount on my premium.
So the mistake here is not checking with your insurance or getting the proper documentation after your window upgrade. It's not really part of the window project per se, but it's a post-project thing that can save you money. If you pay for those strong windows, make sure you reap the benefits on insurance too.