@natemusician233, this has been one of the most informative threads I’ve seen in this forum. Thank you for keeping us updated throughout your quote process. It’s like we all went on the journey with you!
I’ve learned a ton (I feel much more prepared for when it’s my turn to replace windows). The differences between companies, what to look for, etc., are now much clearer to me.
Please do circle back once you have the windows installed and share how it goes. I’m sure many of us would love to know the end result of your choice, and see some pics of the finished job if you can!
Good luck with the final decision-making – sounds like either way you’ll be in good hands. Keep us posted! 👍
Final Update: We made our decision — we signed the contract with Karoly Windows! 🎉
It was honestly a tough call because ProTech Windoors was also excellent in their presentation and quote. In the end, a few factors tipped us to Karoly:
Slightly lower price (about $800 less, which isn’t huge but still, money is money).
The lifetime installation warranty (versus 10-year with ProTech) gave us extra peace of mind.
They have a longer track record locally (I think Karoly’s been around 20+ years). Not that ProTech is new (they’ve been around too), but Karoly’s name recognition in Tampa Bay is strong and a couple of my neighbors also remembered hearing good things.
After signing, Karoly came back for final measurements today. Everything is now in motion! They said to expect installation in about 8 weeks, give or take, since the windows have to be custom made to our sizes. So we’re looking at mid-summer for the install. We’re praying no big hurricanes hit before then 😅 (at least we still have our shutters just in case, in the interim).
I cannot thank everyone here enough. You all helped me feel confident through this process. We went from knowing basically nothing (other than “our windows are bad”) to feeling like informed consumers. When the Karoly and ProTech reps came, I was able to ask the right questions thanks to the advice here (about permits, warranties, window brands, etc.). So really, thank you!
I will absolutely update this thread after installation is complete to share how it went and if the outcome meets expectations. I’m pretty excited to get these new windows in. My wife joked that it’s the most adulting thing to be excited about, but hey, new windows are exciting when you’ve dealt with crappy ones for years! 😁
For anyone reading this in the future, my two cents: do your research, get multiple quotes, and don’t hesitate to lean on forums like this for community experiences. Tampa Bay has a lot of window installers; many are good, some not so much – so hearing real feedback is invaluable.
Alright, I’ll sign off for now. Thanks again everyone, and I’ll be back with an install report in a couple months! 🍻
@natemusician233 Huge congrats on making the decision! That’s awesome news. Karoly Windows is a great choice and it sounds like you negotiated a good deal. You’ll likely be very happy with the results.
And you’re right, being excited about windows is peak homeowner life 😄. Trust me, when you see how your house looks with the new ones and feel the difference, it will be worth the excitement.
Please do come back with that post-install update (maybe start a new thread or continue here since it’s a sticky now). We’d all love to hear how the installation goes and see some before/after impressions.
This thread has been incredibly informative – I suspect it’s going to help a lot of Tampa Bay folks in the future who are searching about windows.
Cheers, and good luck with the install! (Here’s to smooth sailing and no storms in the meantime 🤞)
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone in this thread. As a newcomer to the forum (and a relatively new homeowner in Pinellas), I’ve found this discussion immensely valuable. It’s basically a masterclass on window replacement in our area.
@natemusician233, congrats on choosing a company! And kudos for being so thorough and sharing details – you asked all the questions I wouldn’t have even known to ask.
I’ll be needing new windows probably next year, and I feel a lot more prepared now. I even took notes from @apolloparker907’s list of tips.
This is why I love community forums – homeowners helping homeowners. Good stuff, guys!
Ditto what @pauls51 said. I’ve been quietly following along and learning. The collective knowledge here is fantastic.
It’s comforting to know there are reputable companies like Karoly Windows and ProTech Windoors around Tampa Bay. Before this, I only really knew of the big ads on TV (like NewSouth and RBA) and I was wary of those high prices. It’s great to hear real experiences with local installers.
Big thanks to @natemusician233 for bringing the question and to everyone else who contributed. When it’s time to replace my windows, I’ll definitely refer back to this thread (heck, I might print it out 😂).
Cheers!
One last nugget I thought of to add for future readers (and maybe for your install day, @natemusician233): When the installation happens, if you can, take some photos of the process and the finished work for your records. It’s helpful to have pictures of the window labels and installation details. I snapped photos of each window’s sticker (the one that shows the manufacturer, model, serial, and ratings) before the installers removed them. This way I have a digital record of each window’s specs.
Also took a few pictures during installation, which showed how they waterproofed and sealed the windows. Hopefully I never need to reference that, but just in case of any issues, it’s nice to know what’s behind the stucco.
And as @film_jack detailed, do a thorough walkthrough. The good companies will usually do this with you. Karoly’s team actually had me sign off that I was satisfied at completion.
Alright, I think we’ve covered just about everything imaginable, haha! This truly is a treasure trove of info now.
So happy for you @natemusician233. Enjoy the improved comfort (and lower energy bills and insurance savings) once your new windows are in!
I’ve been reading along and I’m glad to see a happy ending to the quote journey. Congrats @natemusician233!
I’ll just throw in a cautionary tale from my coworker (not to damper the mood, but as advice): He signed with a smaller window company (not Karoly or ProTech, some other outfit) last year, and then the company had supply chain issues that dragged the project out. He waited almost 5 months for his windows to be installed because the manufacturer was behind (they blamed material shortages and a busy hurricane season backlog). It eventually got done and was fine, but the wait was frustrating.
So for anyone reading, just keep in mind that sometimes delays happen. It’s a good idea to ask your installer what their policy is if timelines slip. The big reputable ones often have better control over the supply chain or at least keep you updated.
It sounds like 6-8 weeks is the estimate now, which is normal. Hopefully that holds. Avoiding peak hurricane season for ordering (if possible) can sometimes help.
Anyhow, not trying to scare anyone, just something to be aware of.
Again, great thread all. Learned a bunch.
@cocon47 brings up a valid point. Lead times can indeed fluctuate. Three years ago when I did mine, there were supply issues (post-hurricane rush plus pandemic-related delays). My windows took nearly 3 months from order to install. Communication is key – as long as the company keeps you posted, it’s usually fine. Sounds like these companies do.
One more thing on timing: If you’re aiming to have windows replaced before a certain date (like before hurricane season kicks into high gear, or before holidays), build in some buffer. Don’t schedule it for the last minute. It’s construction, after all, and things can pop up.
@natemusician233, you’re getting yours mid-summer, which should be okay. Just be prepared for some heat – our installers were troopers doing it in July here. We supplied them with cold bottled water and they were grateful. 😎
On installation day, it’s a noisy process (saws, hammering, etc.), so maybe plan to take the family out for a fun day during the heavy work if being around noise is an issue. I stayed home to supervise, but my wife took the kids to her sister’s to avoid the commotion.
After everything was done, it was such a relief and immediately we noticed how much cooler and quieter the house was.
Really excited for you to experience that soon!
I have a question for those who have done this: how do you ensure the installation quality is top-notch? I mean, even a great window can leak if not installed right. Did you guys just trust the company, or did you do any extra checks?
I’ve heard horror stories (on other forums) of people having water intrusion because of poor installs (like not sealing the flange or missing screws). Granted, those were probably subpar contractors.
If I go with a company like Karoly or ProTech, should I still be worried? Do you recommend being home to watch, or is that overkill?
@tim_joker – good question. It’s true, even the best window is only as good as its install. A few thoughts:
Research and choose a reputable installer (which you’re doing by considering known companies). That’s step one, and it sounds like Karoly, ProTech, etc., have good track records. They likely have well-trained crews.
Be present on install day if you can. You don’t need to watch every second, but being around to periodically check or answer questions is helpful. Most crews don’t mind if you take a peek as they work. Just don’t hover to the point of distracting them. I made sure I was available and I did casually observe at times. It also lets them know you care about the details.
Post-install inspection: As I mentioned in my earlier post, do a detailed walkthrough after they finish but before you sign off or pay the final balance. Test every window, look at all the caulking, etc. A quality crew will likely walk through with you. This is your chance to catch any little issues. It’s much easier to address fixes while they’re still on site.
If you’re extra cautious, you could even spray a garden hose on the windows after install to simulate rain and check for leaks (maybe not immediately, but within a few days). I did that, actually, the next time we had a decent rain I closely checked for any water intrusion - none found.
In my experience, companies that have a good reputation got it by doing things right. The horror stories often come from fly-by-night contractors or someone trying to DIY install without proper know-how.
With Karoly, ProTech, etc., I’d trust them but still verify by doing the checks above. Both of those companies have lots of positive feedback regarding their install quality (clean work, proper sealing). For instance, @jeffp59 noted ProTech’s crew found an issue and fixed it proactively. That’s a great sign.
So yes, choose well, be present, and inspect. That should cover it.