Long time lurker, first time poster here 😄. I just want to say this thread has been super informative. I'm in the planning phase for window replacements for my home in Largo. Reading all your experiences is like getting a crash course on what to look out for.
I've already made a checklist based on @bscott10's points and a bunch of other things you guys mentioned (like checking licenses, getting everything in writing, etc.).
Also, it's good to have some names of contractors that people had good experiences with. I'll definitely be reaching out to a couple of the companies mentioned when I start getting quotes.
Big thanks to everyone for sharing your stories and advice. It’s helping me (and I'm sure many others) feel a lot more confident in tackling this project!
Let me share a quick story about weather impacting the job, since Tampa Bay's weather can be wild. During my window installation (summer 2022 in Town 'n' Country), we actually had a tropical storm (almost a hurricane) brewing. The contractor was very proactive and professional about it.
A day before the storm was supposed to hit, they secured the work site – boarded up any open window holes (since a couple of old windows had been removed already) and double-checked all new windows were properly sealed. They postponed work for two days while the storm passed, which was the safe call.
Afterwards, they were back on the job promptly and even checked all the installed windows again for any leaks, just in case the heavy rain had revealed something. Everything was good.
I was really relieved how they handled it. They didn't try to rush or cut corners to beat the storm (which could have left my home exposed). A less professional crew might have left things in a risky state. But these guys treated my home like their own, making sure it was secure.
So kudos to contractors who put safety first when Mother Nature shows up!
I appreciated that my window contractor was mindful of the neighbors too. I live in a tight-knit neighborhood in Clearwater and was worried about the noise from all the hammering and sawing. The crew actually started a bit later in the morning (around 8:30 AM) out of respect, and one of them told me they try not to fire up loud tools before 8 (apparently some cities have noise ordinances). None of my neighbors complained, and in fact, the crew lead introduced himself to my next-door neighbor on day one and gave a heads up about the work schedule. I thought that was a classy touch.
Also, they didn't blast music (unlike @lunawoodworker's crew 😅) and generally kept the site neat on the outside too, not just inside. Little things like that – considering the neighbors and the community – reflect well on a contractor’s professionalism. It shows they care about their reputation and your relationships with your neighbors.
I was impressed with the finishing work my installers did. After putting in the new windows, they had to do some touch-up around the frames (interior trim and exterior stucco). The crew had a guy who was basically an artist with caulk and plaster. He made the interior trim look seamless, and he patched the stucco around the new windows so well you can’t even tell where the old gaps were. He even color-matched the stucco paint perfectly.
I've seen some window jobs where the contractor leaves rough edges or tells you to "hire a painter to finish up." Thankfully, mine took care of everything as part of the service. They left the finished installation looking like the windows were always there from day one.
I really value that kind of workmanship. It showed pride in their work and that they didn't consider the job done until everything looked right, not just until the windows were in.
One more thing I appreciated: the crew was very mindful of my pets. I have two indoor cats who are notorious escape artists. I told the installers about them beforehand, and they made sure to keep doors closed and even checked with me before opening a door to bring materials in and out. At one point, one of my cats actually sneaked into an empty window opening (she’s curious), and a worker gently shooed her back and alerted me immediately so I could keep her in a bedroom while they worked in that room.
It might sound silly to some, but for pet owners, that's a big deal. The fact that they listened and cared about something like that showed a lot of respect. They treated my cats like part of the family, which to me, is above and beyond.
So if you have pets or specific household concerns, mention it to your contractor. A professional team will take it seriously and work with you on it, just like mine did.
I'll share a minor gripe from my window project in Brandon. Overall it went okay and the windows are great, but the project did stretch longer than originally planned. It was supposed to be a 3-day job, but it turned into 5 days. Part of it was due to one of their crew getting sick (can't blame them for that) and a day of heavy rain.
What I appreciated was that the contractor communicated the delays – they called as soon as they knew they'd be short-staffed and let me know the revised plan. They also made sure everything was weather-tight before leaving on the rainy day, so no water got in.
It was a bit inconvenient to have the project go into extra days, but because they kept me informed and still did quality work, I didn't mind too much. If they'd just disappeared without explanation, that would be a different story.
So, things happen, but a professional contractor will keep you in the loop and not leave you guessing if there’s a delay or issue.
A quick note on something small but important: disposal of the old materials. My friend in Apollo Beach had her windows done, and her contractor left all the old window frames and glass piled on her curb for trash pickup (it was an eyesore and kinda dangerous with glass shards). She ended up having to call the county for a special pickup. Not cool.
So when I did my windows, I made sure to ask if haul-away was included. The company I hired said absolutely – every old window, frame, and bit of debris was taken away by them. And they did just that. Each evening they loaded the old pieces into their truck. By the end of the job, nothing was left behind except my beautiful new windows 😀.
I feel like disposal should always be part of the job, but apparently some contractors skip that or charge extra without telling you up front. A professional crew will leave your property clean and free of construction junk. Don't forget to clarify that point before you hire someone.
I wanted to add that consistency in professionalism is also a good sign. My neighbor ended up using the same company I did for her windows because she saw how well my project went. This was in New Port Richey; I had my windows done by Karoly Windows & Doors (shout-out to them again). After seeing my results, my neighbor called them up for her house.
She got the same high-quality service: punctual crew, great communication, and solid workmanship. It wasn't just a one-off good crew on my job – they delivered for her too. She was happy I recommended them.
I think when you find a contractor that's consistently professional across multiple jobs/homes, that's when you know you have a gem. Word of mouth in our neighborhood has basically led to three more families using Karoly, and all with positive outcomes.
One aspect of professionalism for me was how knowledgeable the contractor was about the products and what would work best for my home. I don’t expect a sales pitch, but I do appreciate when they can explain the differences in window types and recommend what's suitable for our Tampa climate.
The company I chose spent time discussing things like impact glass (a must for hurricane prone areas), UV coatings to reduce heat, and the frame materials that hold up best in Florida humidity. They weren’t just trying to upsell; they really wanted me to understand the options. That level of expertise and willingness to educate showed they were professionals and not just trying to make a quick buck.
In contrast, another contractor I talked to gave one-word answers about why their windows were "the best" and couldn't elaborate on technical questions (like U-factor or design pressure ratings). It was clear who had the better trained staff.
So yeah, if a contractor takes the time to walk you through your choices and seems to really know their stuff, that’s a huge plus. It made me feel confident I was making the right decision on the windows themselves, not just the installer.
This thread has been a gold mine. After reading earlier posts, I actually reached out to Pro Tech Windows & Doors for an estimate (a lot of you spoke highly of them). Just wanted to report back on the initial experience: their rep was right on time, wore a mask (I have an elderly mother living with me and they noticed and asked if I'd prefer they wear masks, which was thoughtful), and he really took his time measuring and answering my million questions.
He even pointed out a couple of my existing windows that actually didn't need replacement yet (said I could save money and do them later in a few years). I was impressed by that honesty - a purely profit-driven company would try to get me to do all of them now.
I haven't decided for sure, but Pro Tech is definitely at the top of my list now. If their install service is as professional as the quoting process, I'll be in good shape.