Since Pro Tech Windows & Doors has come up, I'll add my experience. I hired Pro Tech to replace three patio sliders and a front door in late 2022. Not only did they do a top-notch job, but they were impressively punctual throughout.
The installation team always arrived within the scheduled window (usually right at the start). If they said "we'll be there between 8 and 9", you bet they were ringing my doorbell at 8 on the dot. They also made sure to call if there was even a slight delay leaving their shop. That level of respect for my time was something I really appreciated. I've dealt with too many contractors who leave you hanging, but Pro Tech was not one of them. Definitely earned my trust.
The punctuality problem is real. My worst window contractor experience was a guy who kept pushing the start time later and later each day. One day he was supposed to start at 10 AM, then called to say noon, then 2 PM... he finally strolled in at 5 PM as I was literally about to leave for a dinner reservation 😠. I couldn't believe it! He worked maybe two hours and then left, and of course the project went way over schedule. I ended up kicking him off the job after that stunt. It's crazy how some contractors think any time of day is fine to drop in and work, like homeowners have nothing else going on. Never again with that one.
We ended up using NewSouth Window Solutions (they have a factory and showroom here in Tampa). Overall we love the windows now, but the scheduling process was frustrating. They initially gave us an installation date in June 2023, then pushed it to July because the windows weren't ready yet. Then the July date got moved to August due to "production delays." 😒 By the time the crew finally came out, we'd been waiting around 3 extra months.
To their credit, the install team itself was very punctual and efficient once they showed up—they arrived early in the morning and finished the whole house in two days as promised. But the repeated rescheduling beforehand drove me nuts. So if you go with a manufacturer-direct company like NewSouth, be prepared for possible delays in starting (even if the actual work, when it happens, is timely).
@pauls51 You've already got the top contenders on your list. Karoly and Pro Tech are definitely worth reaching out to (and maybe The Window Depot; I've heard some neighbors mention good experiences with them too). When I was getting quotes, those were the names that kept coming up with solid reputations.
I ultimately went with Karoly for my project because their communication and punctuality reviews were stellar, and I wasn't disappointed. Honestly, as long as you do your research like you're doing now and pick a company known for reliability, you'll save yourself a lot of stress. Good luck with your upcoming project!
I think how a contractor handles unavoidable delays matters as much as being on time. For example, my window installer had to reschedule one of our install days because the lead guy got sick. But importantly, they called me at 6 AM that day to let me know and apologized profusely, then they pulled in an extra crew on Saturday to make up for the lost day. I was impressed with that level of responsiveness. Compare that to another contractor I used (for a different project) who wouldn't show up and then give a half-hearted "oh we'll come tomorrow" text late in the day, leaving me in the lurch. Delays can happen, but the good companies handle it the right way. The bad ones... not so much.
One strategy I now use: try to schedule the contractor as their first appointment of the day. In my last window project, I asked to be the first stop in the morning. That way there's no earlier job that can make them late getting to me. It actually worked out pretty well — the crew showed up at 8 AM each time because I was literally the kickoff for their day. In the past when I've been an afternoon job, I've noticed contractors often run behind schedule by then. So if your schedule allows, request those first-in-line slots. It might not guarantee perfection, but it can reduce the chances of getting bumped or starting late.
I want to give a shout-out to smaller local companies too. I used a family-run window installer based out of Clearwater (not a big name like some mentioned, just a two-crew operation). They might not have fancy ads, but wow, they were punctual and professional. Since they only handle one big project at a time, they dedicated the whole week to my house and showed up every day at 8:00 AM without fail. The owner was on-site each morning to make sure things started on time. It was a refreshing change from the hit-or-miss timing I've gotten used to with larger contractors. So sometimes the little guys can surprise you in a good way!
On the flip side, a huge frustration is when contractors go radio silent. My last window contractor (this was back in October 2022) started off okay, but when the project fell behind schedule due to some permit holdup, he just stopped communicating. I'd call and text asking when they'd be back to finish, and I wouldn't hear anything for days. When he finally responded, it was some generic "we're working on it" reply. I wouldn't have minded the delay so much if he had just kept me in the loop. Punctuality isn't just about showing up on time; it's also about being responsive and upfront when things change. Sadly, some folks don't get that.
I'll say, a good contractor will find ways to stay on schedule even if hiccups happen. The crew that did my windows last September promised to finish in five days (Mon-Fri). Mid-week, we had an afternoon of torrential rain that stopped work early on Wednesday. I thought for sure they'd need an extra day. But to my surprise, they added a couple of hours on Thursday and Friday, and still wrapped up by Friday evening as initially planned. They kept me informed the whole time, letting me know they'd extend their hours to catch up. I really respected that. It showed me that some teams take their commitments seriously and will go the extra mile to deliver on time.
Haha, sometimes I wonder if some contractors around here run on "island time." 😅 I mean, we're in Florida so maybe that laid-back vibe seeps into their scheduling, but it's no fun when you're the one waiting. Reading all these experiences, it sounds like finding a truly punctual contractor in Tampa Bay is like spotting a unicorn 🦄. Rare, but amazing when you do find one! It's good to know they exist (shout-out to the Karolys and Pro Techs of the world). Gives me hope for my future projects.