@film495 To add to what @psage55 said, Karoly also provided us with all the warranty info. The windows themselves (Simonton, in our case) have a double-lifetime warranty (meaning it even transfers to one new owner if we sell the house). And Karoly’s installation warranty was 2 years for workmanship. We haven’t needed any fixes, but they did remind us that if anything seemed off, we should call them right away, especially within that 2-year window.
I think most established window companies around here give at least a year or two on their labor. As @psage55 noted, they’ll usually interface with the manufacturer if something is wrong with the product. So you don’t have to chase down the window manufacturer yourself – your contractor will handle it if you call them. That’s one reason to choose a company with good customer service. You want them to pick up the phone even after you’ve paid in full. Sounds like both Karoly and ProTech excel in that department.
@snowboarder85 @michelle_diver Thank you both for the insight on impact vs shutters! That helps a lot. I’m leaning towards doing all impact as well (especially for the insurance benefits and peace of mind, like you said). I have a couple of old panels I might keep for one or two openings just in case, but I agree that not having to put up shutters in a storm is worth the cost if you can swing it. Appreciate the advice!
@sky_paws Thanks for answering my door question in detail! It’s good to know that these companies handle doors as part of the job and that bundling might save some money. I will definitely include my patio door when I get the windows done. It’s time to say goodbye to that old slider once and for all. 😉
Just adding my two cents: we initially got an estimate from Renewal by Andersen (those folks with the constant commercials). Let’s just say... wow, it was high. 😳 They quoted us almost $30k for 10 windows and a patio door, which was more than double other quotes. The presentation was super long and quite pushy too. We decided that route wasn’t for us.
After finding this forum, we brought in Karoly and another local company for quotes. Ended up going with Karoly and the total was less than half of the RbA quote. The install happened last month and went great (very much in line with all the positive Karoly reviews here. So yeah, if anyone is wondering – those big national names can charge a premium. In my experience, you can get equal or better quality and service from the local companies at a much more reasonable price.
Hi all, I’m from Odessa (on the Pasco/Hillsborough border) and I haven’t seen many mentions of my contractor, so I’ll add another name into the mix: we used Clearwater Glass and Window (a smaller local outfit) for our project. They were actually recommended by our neighbor. Overall, they did a fine job – not as widely known as Karoly or ProTech, but they delivered what they promised. The price was lower than the big companies’ quotes, and the installation was done in three days for our whole house (12 windows).
They did accidentally crack one of the window panes during install (it happens, I guess), but they immediately ordered a replacement and swapped it out a week later without any hassle or extra cost. So I was pleased with how they handled that issue. Communication was pretty solid and the crew was friendly. If I had to nitpick, I’d say the scheduling was a bit of a challenge (we had to reschedule twice due to delays in getting the windows in stock), but once they came out, it was smooth. I know most people here are raving about Karoly and ProTech (and I’m sure they’re fantastic from what I’ve read), but just wanted to share that some smaller companies can do a good job too if you find the right one. Just make sure to vet them properly.
I have a quick question about finishing touches: For those who had windows installed, how did the installers handle the exterior and interior finishes? My house has stucco on the outside and wood trim inside. Did your contractors patch up the stucco around the windows and do the interior trim nicely? And if so, did you have to paint yourself afterward or did they do any paint touch-ups?
I'm a bit worried because I've heard some companies just slap on basic trim and leave the painting/finishing to the homeowner. I’m not very handy, so I’d prefer a more complete job. How was it in your experiences?
@matthewcoder3090 Good question. In my case (with Karoly), the installers did a neat job with finishing but they did not do painting. They installed new interior wood trim around the windows where needed and caulked everything (inside and out) for a clean seal. On the exterior, we have a block house with stucco, and they used stucco patch to fill any small gaps around the new windows. It actually looked pretty decent even before painting – the patches were smooth and flush with the wall, just a slightly different color since our old paint is weathered.
After they were done, it was up to us to paint the stucco patches and the new interior trim to match the rest of the house. That seems to be pretty standard; most window companies in this area don’t include painting as part of the install (unless maybe you arrange something separately). I’m not very handy either, but touching up paint was manageable. If you don’t want to do it yourself, you could hire a painter for a small job after. But structurally and functionally, the installers will make sure everything is sealed and finished nicely – just the cosmetic final paint is left for the homeowner. In short, our crew did the heavy lifting on trim/patch, and we just did a quick paint touch-up afterward.
I’ll add my experience with one of the “budget” options: I ended up using Window World for my window replacement two years ago. They were significantly cheaper than a lot of the other quotes (for non-impact windows), which was the main reason I chose them. The experience was... okay, but not outstanding. The good: the price, and the windows themselves are decent quality for what I paid (double-pane, energy-efficient, but not impact-rated). Their installers worked pretty fast and got all 8 windows swapped out in a day.
The not-so-good: I felt like their communication and attention to detail wasn’t on par with some of the stories I’m reading in this thread about Karoly or ProTech. The install was a bit rushed; they left a couple of interior trim pieces slightly uneven. They did come back to fix one sill when I pointed it out, but I had to insist. Also, since I didn’t go with impact windows, I still have to put up plywood or storm panels during hurricanes, which is a hassle I somewhat regret now. In hindsight, I might have spent a bit more to get the better service and possibly impact glass. But if you’re on a tight budget, Window World can get the job done – just be prepared to stay on top of them for any finishing details.
I have a smaller project (just need 2 windows replaced). Do you think companies like Karoly or ProTech will take on a job of that size? Or do they mostly do whole-house projects? I don't want to waste their time if it's too small. Has anyone here done just a couple of windows with these folks?
I'm also considering just doing a DIY or hiring a handyman for two windows, but I'd prefer a professional job to ensure it's done right (especially for warranty and potential hurricane impact rating). Any advice on approaching a small job like this?
@smoon63 Most reputable companies will still take on a smaller job, but it might depend on how busy they are. Karoly and ProTech, for instance, I believe will do just a couple of windows (I recall someone on another forum mentioning they had 3 windows done by Karoly without issue). It’s worth calling them to ask. The worst that happens is they say they're booked or have a minimum, but I suspect they won't turn you away. They might just schedule you at a time when they can batch your install with another nearby.
One thing to note: even for two windows, you’ll likely have to go through the same permit and inspection process, which these companies will handle. A handyman might not pull permits (which is risky). So I’d lean towards using a licensed contractor even for a small job, for the reasons you mentioned (warranty, proper install, impact ratings, etc.). It might cost a bit more than a handyman, but you’ll have peace of mind. When you contact them, just be upfront that it's a small project – they’ll let you know their policy. My guess is they'd still be happy to earn your business, especially if they aren't swamped at that moment.