Window Contractor Transparency and Sales Experience in Tampa Bay

I went through a full window replacement last year at my home in Clearwater. We gathered quotes from three places: Karoly Windows & Doors, Renewal by Andersen, and Window World. The experiences were VERY different, so I'll share them.

Renewal by Andersen's rep gave a slick presentation that lasted almost two hours. The quote they gave us was nearly double the others. He also pulled the classic "if you sign today, I can call my manager to get you a special discount" move, which felt super high-pressure and gimmicky. We did not appreciate that sales tactic at all.

Window World offered the lowest price upfront, but their quote was kind of bare-bones. It didn't include things like the permit fees or even the removal and disposal of our old windows (I had to ask, and those would be extra). They also weren't very detailed about the window options - it was more like a one-size-fits-all quote. It left me worried there could be hidden costs popping up later.

Karoly Windows & Doors, on the other hand, was a breath of fresh air. Their rep came out (actually the owner’s son, I think) and was super professional and low-key. He took all the measurements, answered my million questions about hurricane impact glass vs. regular, frame materials, etc., and then emailed me a detailed quote the next day. The quote was very clear, listing every line item: each window, installation labor, permitting, old window removal, even minor stucco repairs around the openings. The price was competitive – not the very cheapest, but it was reasonable and there were zero surprises. No hidden fees at all. We decided to go with Karoly, and the final bill was exactly what they quoted us (to the penny). The whole process felt very transparent. There was no pressure to "buy now," and they even encouraged us to take our time and compare. Honestly, the initial consultation with them was kind of pleasant (dare I say fun? 😄) because it felt like they wanted to educate us on our options, not just make a hard sale. I’d highly recommend them if you value honesty and clarity in the quoting process.

I'm in St. Pete and went through a window replacement in mid-2022. We got two quotes: one from NewSouth Window Solutions (a big local company that heavily advertises) and one from ProTech Windows & Doors (a smaller, family-run business). The difference in transparency was night and day.

NewSouth's salesperson was personable but made some pretty bold promises - especially about the timeline. He assured us they could have our custom impact windows manufactured and installed in just 6-8 weeks. That sounded awesome because other companies had warned it might be 12+ weeks due to supply chain slowdowns at the time. NewSouth’s price was a bit higher than the other quote, but they kept pushing the "we make our own windows right here in Florida, so it's faster" angle.

ProTech Windows & Doors gave us a slightly lower quote, and the guy who came (I believe it was the owner himself) was very straightforward and honest. He said that realistically we should expect about 12-14 weeks for the whole process (from ordering to final inspection), given the permitting process in Pinellas County and ongoing supply issues back then. He even cautioned it might be a bit longer if there were any factory delays. I really appreciated that candor. No sales fluff, just managing expectations.

In the end, we actually chose NewSouth because we were kind of sold on that faster timeline promise (we were eager to get the house hurricane-ready before the peak of storm season). Well... that 6-8 week promise turned into almost 5 months 😑. Every few weeks there was another delay or excuse. To be fair, the product itself is good and the installation, once it finally happened, was fine. But the experience taught me a lesson: don't just trust an overly optimistic timeline given during a sales pitch.

Looking back, I wish we had gone with ProTech. My neighbor ended up using ProTech around the same time and had a great experience – and their project was completed pretty much exactly when ProTech said it would be. The honesty we got from them during the quote process now seems like it would have saved us a lot of frustration. So, my advice: pick a contractor who is upfront about timelines (and everything else), even if it’s not what you want to hear initially. It's worth it in the long run.

We had our windows done in early 2023, and it was quite the learning experience. I'm in Largo, and I got quotes from a big name (Morgan Exteriors) and a smaller local company called West Coast Windows (they're based in Pinellas).

The Morgan Exteriors salesman actually gave us a quote on the spot during the consultation, which was convenient but came with a lot of sales pressure. He was friendly enough while inspecting our windows and measuring, but when it came time to talk numbers, he really pushed us to sign that same day. He even had a laptop slideshow about their company, which was fine, but then he kept offering "today-only" discounts if we'd commit right then and there. That felt a bit too pushy for my taste – I prefer to think things over. Also, when we read through the contract he presented, we noticed some concerning fine print. For example, it had a clause that said the price could be adjusted if there were any unexpected cost increases for materials. I understand things happen, but it basically meant the quote might not be the final price if they decided their costs went up. That lack of a firm price commitment made us uneasy. Plus, they wanted a 50% deposit upfront.

West Coast Windows was a totally different vibe. The owner came out for the estimate, took all the measurements, and instead of trying to close a deal on the spot, he said he'd email me a detailed quote the next day – which he did. The quote was very clear and itemized (even noted that permit fees and tax were included, and that any needed stucco patching was covered). No scary clauses or anything – the price was the price. Their required deposit was only 10% to order the windows, with the rest due after installation was completed and we were satisfied. Huge difference in approach!

Communication with West Coast was great, too. The owner answered my emails and calls promptly when I had questions about the window brands and even gave me addresses of a couple past projects when I asked for references. The transparency and responsiveness made us feel comfortable, so we went with them. The project went smoothly with no surprise charges. I'm really glad we read the fine print and chose the contractor who was upfront about everything. It reinforced that you should always read the contract carefully and not be afraid to walk away if something doesn't feel right.

I'll throw in my experience for another perspective. I was deciding between using a big-box store and a local specialist. Specifically, we got a quote through Home Depot's installation service and another quote from Weather Tite Windows (a local Tampa company). This was for replacing 5 windows in our South Tampa bungalow.

Home Depot's process was a bit slower from the start. I filled out an online form and it took about a week and a half to get their contracted salesperson out for a visit. The guy was nice, but I got the feeling windows weren't his only product (probably sells doors, siding, etc. too). He measured and gave us a quote right there using an iPad. The price was actually not bad, but when I asked about details like permit fees, he had to double-check. It turned out the quote didn't explicitly list the permitting cost or the removal of old materials; he verbally assured me it was included, but I would have preferred to see that in writing. Also, he wasn't super knowledgeable about some technical questions I had (like differences between the brands of windows they offer). He kept saying "I'd have to get back to you on that."

Weather Tite, by contrast, scheduled an in-home estimate within a few days of my call. Their rep arrived on time (actually 10 minutes early), and you could tell all he does is windows and doors. He was able to answer all my questions about impact glass, energy ratings, the works. The quote he provided (got an email later that day) clearly listed everything, including the permit application fee that they'd handle with the city of Tampa, materials, install, warranty, and even line items for finishing trim work. No need for me to guess what was included. The price from Weather Tite ended up a little higher than Home Depot's quote (maybe by 10%), but knowing exactly what I'd get for that money was worth it to me. They also didn't pressure me at all - after sending the quote, the rep followed up once by phone a week later in a very "just checking if you have questions" way, not pushy.

I chose Weather Tite in the end because of their transparency and expertise. The project went smoothly: they pulled the permit, installed the windows in one day, and there were no surprise add-on costs. Home Depot might work out fine for some, but I felt more comfortable with a local company that specializes in windows and was upfront about every detail from the get-go.

@josephfrost990 I actually went with ProTech Windows & Doors for my window project last year, and I can totally second everything you said about their transparency. I'm up in Lutz, and after getting a couple of quotes I ended up choosing ProTech largely because of how upfront and honest they were.

In my case, the owner himself (Mike) came out to do the initial quote. Super friendly guy, very down-to-earth. He measured all our windows (we replaced 8 windows total) and instead of giving a hard sell, he just talked us through our options. He even brought sample cross-sections of the window frames to show the differences between the brands he carries (we were debating between PGT and Simonton windows). It felt more like an educational session than a sales call, which I appreciated.

When the quote came in (I got it via email the day after the visit), it was detailed and included two options: one quote using PGT Winguard hurricane windows and another using a slightly cheaper brand. Each line item was clear as day – materials, labor, permit, old window removal, even some optional stuff like upgrading to a nicer hardware finish. There were no random "fees" lurking around. The price was very fair for the quality we were getting.

Throughout the process, ProTech stayed true to their word. They told us upfront it would be about 10-12 weeks before installation (we signed in spring and they said by early summer). Sure enough, around week 11 the windows were in and they scheduled the install. Installers were on time, professional, and they cleaned up everything. The final bill matched the quote exactly. No last-minute add-ons, no "oh the price of materials went up" nonsense.

Honestly, it was as smooth as one could hope for. And because everything was explained from the get-go, we felt at ease through the waiting period too – they would even send a quick update email every few weeks letting us know our windows were on track being made. Little things like that go a long way. So yeah, big thumbs up for ProTech if transparency and good communication are what you want. 🙂

Reading @yoga674's post about Window World, I wanted to chime in since I actually went with Window World for a rental property I own in Town 'n' Country (Tampa area). My experience was a bit of a mixed bag, but overall not terrible.

I chose Window World mostly because of budget - their quote was the lowest by a notable margin and I was trying to keep costs down for a basic window upgrade (these were non-impact windows for a rental, so I wasn't looking for top-of-the-line, just decent double-pane replacements). The salesperson wasn't overly pushy at all (which was nice after I'd sat through a couple of those intense sales pitches from other companies for my own home earlier). He measured everything and gave me a quote for the whole job, but like @yoga674 mentioned, it was a pretty bare-bones quote initially.

I noticed it didn't explicitly mention certain things, so I asked about permit fees, hauling away the old windows, and any finishing work. He said those were all included, but I requested to have that written into the contract to be sure. They did adjust the paperwork to list "permit and debris removal included," which gave me peace of mind. It did end up costing a little more than the rock-bottom quote once we added a couple of small items (I opted for their better glass package for energy efficiency, and there was a charge for exterior aluminum trim capping around the windows that I wanted). But even with those, it was still cheaper than the other quotes I had.

In terms of transparency, I'd say Window World was okay as long as you ask the right questions. They didn't volunteer a ton of detail up front, but they weren't hiding things when I brought them up. The contract was pretty short and straightforward once we added the items I mentioned. No major surprises during installation either - the crew was quick and did a fair job (not the absolute tidiest work on interior trim, but acceptable for a rental property standard).

So yeah, if budget is your main concern, Window World can be a viable option, just make sure you pin down the details during the quoting process so you're clear on what's included. They won't necessarily hold your hand through all the options, but they'll answer if you ask. My two cents!

My journey to find a window contractor in Tampa Bay was a bit frustrating at first, but it ended well. I'm in Palm Harbor and last year I reached out to about four different companies for quotes to replace the original 1980s windows in my house. Let me tell you, the level of responsiveness was all over the place.

One of the big companies (I won't name them because we never got past the quote phase) took almost 3 weeks just to come out for the estimate, and then another two weeks to actually send the quote over. By the time it arrived, I'd frankly lost confidence in them. Another smaller contractor that I found through HomeAdvisor actually no-showed on our first appointment, then showed up late to the rescheduled one, took measurements, and then never sent me a quote at all. 😤 That was a waste of time.

I was about ready to pull my hair out, but then a neighbor recommended a local company called Affordable Windows & Doors of Tampa Bay. The difference was night and day. I called them and got an appointment for an estimate within a few days. The owner and his son came out together (which I thought was nice, supporting a family business). They were on time and super professional. As they measured my windows, they talked me through different options (like impact glass vs. non-impact since I'm not right on the coast, and various frame colors and styles) but it was very conversational and helpful, not salesy.

The quote from Affordable Windows & Doors came back in just a day and it was very reasonable. Everything we discussed was clearly listed. I was half-expecting some hidden fees given my earlier experiences, but nope. They even included a line about "no change orders unless scope changes" which made me feel better that the price was locked in. They required a small deposit to order the windows (I think it was 20%) and the rest on completion. The contract also spelled out an estimated timeline of 8-10 weeks for installation after ordering, and guess what, they hit it right in that window (installed at week 9). They also handled the permitting with Pinellas County without burdening me with any of that paperwork.

When all was said and done, the final cost was exactly what they quoted. No surprises at all. And any time I had a question (like I emailed to ask about how to prepare the house for installation day), they responded within a few hours.

So, moral of the story for me: if a company is flaky or slow to respond before you even sign a contract, that's a red flag. On the flip side, the ones who value your time and communicate well from the get-go (like the folks I ended up hiring) are likely to continue that level of service through the project. I'm super happy I found Affordable Windows & Doors of Tampa Bay - they lived up to their name and were totally transparent throughout the process.

Something to watch for is whether a contractor actually listens to your needs vs. just pushing what they want to sell. When I was shopping for window replacements, I faced this regarding impact windows versus non-impact.

My house in Odessa already had functional hurricane shutters, so I was open to the idea of using non-impact (standard) windows to save some money and just rely on the shutters for storm protection. One contractor I got a quote from basically dismissed that idea outright. He kept insisting that "nowadays everyone goes impact, shutters are old school," and he only wanted to quote me high-end impact products. It felt like a scare tactic too – he was saying things like "if a storm comes, do you really want to be out there messing with shutters?" I mean, he has a point that impact windows are more convenient, but I didn't like that he wouldn't even entertain the non-impact option given my situation. It came off as pushing the most expensive option for his benefit, not mine.

In contrast, another company I talked to was very understanding. The rep there said something like, "We can absolutely do non-impact and save you about 20-25% on the project, since you already have shutters. Let me also give you a quote for impact so you can see the difference and decide." That was super helpful. He gave me both numbers and explained the pros and cons of each route without bias. In the end, I did choose to go with impact windows (mostly for the convenience and a bit of an insurance break), but I made that choice feeling fully informed rather than pressured.

The company that took the time to give me both options ended up getting my business. They were transparent in explaining the cost breakdown and didn't try to upsell me on something I didn't want. So, I'd say if a contractor isn't listening to what you want (like if you mention budget or a preference and they ignore it), that’s a red flag in the quoting stage. The good ones will work with you and give you options rather than a one-size-fits-all pitch.

I'll add a cautionary tale about permitting. I'm in Historic Kenwood (St. Petersburg), and when I was getting window quotes for my 1920s bungalow, I encountered something concerning with one contractor.

During the quote, this guy (a smaller operation contractor) told me that pulling a permit for the window replacements would be "optional" and that if I wanted to save some money and time, we could do it without a permit. That immediately raised a red flag for me. Here in Florida, replacing windows absolutely requires a permit and inspection (especially in a historic district like mine where there are specific guidelines too). The fact that he was suggesting we skirt the permitting process to possibly offer a lower price or quicker job felt really dishonest and unprofessional. It made me wonder what other shortcuts he might take.

Needless to say, I did NOT go with that contractor. Instead, I chose a company that was very upfront about doing everything by the book. They included the permit cost in the quote and even explained the steps: they'd pull the permit with the city of St. Pete, schedule the necessary inspections (one after installation to make sure everything met code), and provide me copies of all the paperwork for my records. That transparency was reassuring. The contractor who did it right actually said something like, "We never skip permits - it's for your safety and ours, plus it’s the law." Exactly what I needed to hear.

So a tip from my experience: if a contractor ever suggests not pulling permits or doing something under the table, run the other way. A reputable company will be completely clear about following local building codes and permitting rules during the quoting process, not to mention it protects you as the homeowner in the long run.