Reading these experiences reminds me of something else to consider: whether the installers are in-house or subcontractors. I learned this the hard way.
When I first got quotes for my window job in Brandon, one well-known company (I won't name names, but a big chain) said they'd send "their crew". Turns out, the crew were actually subcontractors who didn’t really communicate well with the company or with me. It led to some miscommunication on install day – the sub crew had the wrong info about what windows to bring! 🤦♂️ It got sorted out eventually, but it felt pretty disorganized and not very professional.
After that experience, I decided to switch to a local company that used their own employees for installation. What a difference. The new crew (direct employees of the window company) were so much more organized and accountable. The right materials were on the truck, the crew chief knew my project details inside out, and everything went like clockwork.
So, I'd say a professional contractor will take ownership of the whole job. Using their own trained crew (or very reliable subs) and managing them closely is part of that. If a company seems to be just a middleman handing off to random installers, be cautious.
Yikes, some of these stories sound rough. I’ll share my cautionary tale (though it’s a bit of a nightmare scenario, sorry!). I'm in a suburb of Tampa (Valrico) and hired a contractor in 2021 who seemed okay at first. Price was good, he was a licensed guy (I checked), and he promised the moon. But once the project started, the professionalism went out the window (no pun intended).
The crew often showed up late, and sometimes not at all on days they were scheduled. They'd leave early without finishing the day's work, tools and materials scattered everywhere. Communication was terrible – I'd call or text for updates, and days would go by with no reply.
The worst part: they left the job half-done for over a week with my front window boarded up. Apparently they overbooked jobs and bounced to another site. I was livid. I ended up firing them and bringing in another company to fix and finish the work.
Lesson learned: always check multiple references and online reviews before hiring. The second company I hired was very professional (night and day difference), but they also mentioned they'd been getting a lot of “rescue” jobs like mine. It seems there are some flaky contractors out there. So do your homework to find one with a solid reputation for professionalism and reliability.
@aaronl87 That sounds like a nightmare, sorry you went through that. I second the advice on checking references and I'll add a couple more tips.
Before I signed with my window installer, I made sure to verify their license and insurance. Florida has a state license lookup online, and I found my contractor listed with no complaints. I also asked for proof of insurance (liability and worker’s comp). A professional contractor should have no problem showing you these. One guy I interviewed actually handed me copies of all that with his quote, which was reassuring.
Another thing I did was talk to one of their past customers. The company gave me a couple of recent customers to call as references. I had a nice 10-minute chat with a lady in St. Pete who had used them, and she had nothing but good things to say. That gave me peace of mind that they were legit and professional.
So, in summary: check license, insurance, and get references. It might feel like homework, but it can save you from a bad experience. The good contractors will usually have lots of happy customers willing to vouch for them.
I'll add my two cents with a pretty neutral experience. The contractor we used in Seminole (Pinellas County) was mostly professional, but we hit a hiccup. On day one of install, one of the new window panes arrived cracked (probably from shipping). Not really the contractor's fault, but it was a bummer seeing a broken window delivered.
Now, how the contractor handled it is what mattered to me. The project manager immediately showed me the crack and apologized, and he had already called their office to order a replacement. They still installed the frame and said they'd swap in the new glass as soon as it came in, so we wouldn't have a hole in our wall. It took about two more weeks for the replacement glass to arrive.
During that wait, the contractor actually kept me updated so I didn’t feel forgotten. True to their word, they came back as soon as they had the new pane and installed it in about 30 minutes.
So overall, while we had that issue, I give them credit for handling it professionally. I think a hallmark of a good contractor is how they deal with unexpected problems. These guys owned the problem and made it right without me having to chase them.
I want to highlight the importance of after-installation service, which I consider part of professionalism too. We had our windows done by a small family-run company in Spring Hill in 2022. Everything went well with installation. But about 6 months later, I noticed one of the windows had a slight fog between the double panes (a seal issue).
I called the contractor, and to my relief, they were on it right away. They checked the paperwork and confirmed the window had a warranty. They contacted the manufacturer on my behalf, ordered a replacement sash, and scheduled a time to swap it out. Within a few weeks, they came and replaced the defective part, no charge. They were just as polite and organized during that fix as they were on install day.
That follow-through impressed me. I’ve heard of some companies that disappear after they get paid, but a professional one will stick around and honor their warranty. So definitely consider how a contractor handles post-job issues too, not just the install day.
This thread is super helpful, so thank you all! 🙏 I'm about to schedule a window replacement for my house in Temple Terrace, and reading these experiences is giving me a good idea of what to look for.
Quick question for those who've had jobs done: did you tip your installers or provide anything (like lunch or drinks)? I want to treat the crew well if they're professional and doing a good job, but I'm not sure what's customary in Tampa Bay. I was thinking maybe buying the crew lunch one day or giving a small tip at the end if everything goes smoothly.
Not exactly about professionalism of the contractor, I know, but a happy crew might do even better work! 😅 I'd love to hear what others do, so I can plan. Thanks!
@crypto728 Good question! I was torn on that too during my project. In my case, I didn't give a cash tip, but I did provide cold drinks (sodas, water, Gatorade) throughout the day and bought the crew pizza for lunch on their last day. They seemed to really appreciate it, and it kept the mood friendly.
From what I've seen, tipping isn't an expectation like it is in some other service jobs, mainly because the installers are usually paid by their company. But if a crew goes above and beyond, some folks do slip them some extra cash or a gift card. One of my neighbors gave each crew member $20 at the end of a two-day install, because he was so impressed with their work and professionalism.
So it's really up to you. It's never expected, but always appreciated. Providing food or drinks is a nice gesture if nothing else. And like you said, a happy crew is a good thing! Just do what feels right and within your budget.
Jumping in to say I also went with Karoly Windows & Doors, and I’m a happy customer. My experience was similar to @geocacher77’s. This was for a 1960s house we renovated in the Westshore area of Tampa. The professionalism was apparent from the start. The owner came out for the initial measurements and quote, and he was very thorough and straightforward (no sales gimmicks).
The install crew was fantastic — really polite and skilled. They even fixed a rotted sill they discovered once the old window was out, without making a big deal or upcharging me on the spot (it was included in my quote). That showed integrity.
So yeah, another thumbs up for Karoly 👍. It's great to see consistent positive experiences with them.
Glad to hear Pro Tech getting some love here too. They actually did my condo in downtown St. Pete last year and I have zero complaints. @jackm96 covered most of it in detail (my experience was pretty much the same level of awesome service).
One thing I’ll add: I was worried about getting the windows up to my 10th floor unit (logistics of high-rise installs can be tricky). Pro Tech handled all that like pros. They coordinated with my condo building management for elevator usage and parking the crane, etc. The crew was really mindful of the common areas, laid down protective coverings in the hallway, and cleaned up everything.
Even the building manager commented on how professional they were compared to some other contractors he's seen come through. That says a lot. So if you’re in a condo or high-rise in Tampa Bay, Pro Tech knows what they’re doing.
Reading all this, I'm realizing how much a good contractor will manage the timeline well. When we had our windows replaced in Odessa (north of Tampa) two years ago, the company gave us a schedule upfront: 2 days for install plus an extra half-day for finishing touches/inspection.
I was a bit skeptical they'd stick to it because you always hear about contractors running over time. But to my pleasant surprise, they finished right on schedule. In fact, they even started a day earlier than planned because they had a cancellation and asked if it was okay to begin ahead of time. Fine by me!
Every morning they let me know what was on the agenda, and every evening they updated me on progress. The project wrapped up exactly when they said it would, and they cleaned up thoroughly as the last step. No last-minute delays or disappearing acts.
I really appreciated that predictability. It showed good organization and respect for my time. If a contractor can stick to the timeline they give you (barring weather or something out of their control), that’s a big green flag in my opinion.