key questions to ask a window contractor before hiring

Key Questions to Ask a Window Contractor before Hiring


PART_1How Much Experience

Have You Had?

A window replacement project is an investment that requires a fair amount of money to start and complete. This is the reason why homeowners take the time to choose their replacements carefully. You want to make sure you’re getting the right products so that you can be confident that your investment

would not go to waste.


What some homeowners fail to consider, however, is that the choice of window contractor is just as important as the choice of product. You’re paying for materials plus labor, so the last thing you’d want is substandard work. Before making a hiring decision, therefore, you’ll need to ask the right questions.

First on the list of questions to ask is:How much experience have you had?

When it comes to any kind of home improvement project, how much experience a contractor has will factor into the quality of the results you’re going to get. You cannot just call a window installer, ask for an estimate, do a price comparison with other installers in your area, and choose the lowest bidder. That kind of process is a recipe for disaster and you may end up having to hire another contractor to redo the first guy’s work.

How Much Experience Have You Had?


■ How long have you been in business?

■ What kinds of services have you been offering since your company was established?

■ What kinds of problems (not necessarily directly related to window replacement) have you encountered along the way and how did you solve them?

■ Do you have any references or referrals that I could contact?

■ May I see photos of your completed work?

■ What kind of training has your staff received?

■ Have you had firsthand experience with projects similar to mine?

To get a clearer picture of a window contractor’s industry experience, ask questions like:


By asking these questions, you’ll not only learn more about a candidate’s experience but also gather clues on how they handle their customers.


A Caveat

While it’s safe to say that a long run in the business is a good sign, there is no direct correlation between length of time in the industry and quality of service. That is to say a business with a 40-year track record isn’t necessarily superior to a 20-year-old business.

In Part Two of Key Questions to Ask a Window Contractor before Hiring, we will discuss the kind of credentials a good window contractor should be prepared to show.



PART_2May I See YourCredentials?

Many window replacement companies are happy to promise customers the earth: Incredibly low rates! Outstanding workmanship! Fast turnaround times! These claims are all easy enough to make and a good window contractor should follow through on these promises. But without the proper licenses and certifications, these claims mean nothing.


In business, credentials are everything. In the home improvement business, credentials are that and more. A company may have skilled employees and access to the best materials and state-of-the-art equipment, but unless they have a license to operate and certifications from industry associations that recognize their capabilities as a window installer, entrusting your project to them would constitute a major risk.

Below are the key questions you’ll need to ask to find out about a contractor’s credentials:

■ Do you have a state contractor’s license? Check your local licensing authority for details on contractors’ requirements. If your state specifies a contractor’s license, be wary of companies that only mention a business license. The latter is often only a tax requirement and is no substitute for the former.

IN BUSINESS, CREDENTIALS ARE EVERYTHING. IN THE HOME

IMPROVEMENT BUSINESS, CREDENTIALS ARE THAT & MORE

May I See Your Credentials?


■ Do you have insurance policies? May I see copies of your insurance certificates? Contractors should carry general liability insurance as well as worker’s compensation insurance. Most states require contractors to be insured in order to obtain a license.

■ Are you bonded? Contractors should have a surety bond to protect customers if they fail to complete the job properly or meet certain financial obligations. Most states require contractors to be insured in order to obtain a license.

■ Do you have certifications from manufacturers? Factory certifications are an excellent indicator of a contractor’s level of skill, industry knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to their job.

■ Are you a member of any trade associations? These types of affiliations give contractors access to best industry practices, educational materials, and other things that could help improve their products and services.

May I See Your Credentials?

Stick around for Part Three of Key Questions to Ask a Window Contractor before Hiring, where we’ll talk about one of the most important (and most overlooked!) topics to raise when hiring a window contractor: the contract.


PART_3What’s in the

Contract?

Everyone and their mother knows that home improvement projects can cost a lot. According to Remodeling Mag-azine’s 2014 Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange window replacement project costs about $10,000 on average. For the average American homeowner,

that’s a lot of money.


If you play your cards right and choose a skilled and reputable contractor, you could recoup a fair amount of the upfront costs and save money on your energy bills each month. But if things go horribly awry, you might find yourself paying for a redo out of pocket.

This is why care must be taken during the contractor selection process. In Parts One and Two of this e-book, we talked about the importance of asking about a contractor’s experience and credentials. This third and final chapter is all about the contract, which, while important, also happens to be one of the most overlooked aspects of hiring a window installer.

Before you make a final hiring decision, you’ll want to test the waters and see if you can agree on the conditions and limitations of the project. This isn’t to say that you need to ask the candidate contractor to draw up a contract then and there; you just have to—again—ask the right questions. These include:

■ Will you observe full compliance with local codes and ordinances?

■ Who will shoulder permit costs and obtain the permits?

■ Do I need to pay delivery fees for the materials?

What’s in the Contract?


■ Are there distance surcharges?

■ Will you show me a detailed list (including brand and model names) and cost breakdown of all the products and materials used during the project?

■ Will your workmanship conform to the requirements of the warranties and installation instructions given by the manufacturer?

■ Will you handle cleanup (including daily cleanup) and disposal?

Moreover, you need to make sure that there will be provisions in your contract for things like change orders, financing, payment terms, scheduling, right-to-rescind, and preliminary inspections. All this may seem like a lot, but having everything in writing will be your best protection if things don’t go according to plan. Just remember to:

Feel free to ask your candidate contractor about anything you don’t understand or may not be in agreement with. These kinds of concerns are perfectly valid, and a good contractor will not hesitate to address them.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

What’s in the Contract?


RENEWAL BY ANDERSENOF DALLAS AND FORT WORTH

1801 Royal Lane #1000 Farmers Branch,

TX 75234 USA

972-301-8660 www.RBAofDFW.com

http://www.RBAofDFW.com

key questions to ask a window contractor before hiring

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