Hiring a bad contractor for your window project could be worse than doing it yourself. If you work with a team that can’t meet basic expectations, you will waste money, time, and energy. Subpar installation may even cause damage to your house.
To separate good window replacement contractors from the bad, size up your prospective companies based on the following criteria:
Quality Product
Choosing a contractor that offers the best product and service is a given. But the question is: How would you know? You wouldn’t until you do your research.
Unless you explore what products are available on the market, you won’t know the strengths and weaknesses of vinyl, wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and composite.
Further, you can’t properly assess a window’s insulating performance without some knowledge of the anatomy of an energy-efficient window system. If you didn’t know that durable frames, multiple panes, low-emissivity coatings, a gas fill, and a low-conductance spacer are non-negotiable components, you may inadvertently leave your window replacement to chance.
Proof of Reliability
All contractors would say that they’re competent, proficient and dependable; it’s marketing 101. But again, how would you know? Simple: a legitimate contractor license.
In Oregon and Washington, state governments don’t allow unlicensed window contractors to ply their trade. So ask for verifiable evidence to determine the legitimacy of your prospective company’s business.
Transparency
A window replacement contract defines the parameters of the project. This document should reflect agreed-on points during your initial consultation.
If there’s any inconsistency between your contractor’s words and the language in the contract, clarify and ask for appropriate correction. Or else you won’t have a strong legal tool to make the other party accountable for breaking a promise.
Renewal by Andersen® of Portland takes pride in being a part of the full-service window replacement division of Andersen Corporation, a trusted brand with over 110 years of excellence in the US fenestration industry.
Call (503) 912-2668 to schedule your consultation in Portland, Oregon, or Vancouver, WA, so we can discuss your needs and provide you a free estimate.
