You have decided that you’re ready to replace your windows in your home. You type in “window companies near me” in Google and there are pages and pages of window companies. How do you know which company is good? Where do you begin? It can feel overwhelming and time-consuming.
Here’s a full list of tips every homeowner should have when speaking with a window company.
no pressure sales
Your first initial contact with a company will either be by phone or email. Some window companies offer in-home consultations. This is where you can get a feel for the company you are considering hiring.
This is the most important step of your window journey where you will ask the majority of your questions. If at any moment the rep is urging you to make a decision, you might want to think about the company. You could end up with windows you don’t love and an installation that will have problems down the road.
At Fieldstone, our in-home consultation can last 1-2 hours. We want to make sure you’re comfortable with your choices. During the home visit, we go over the installation process, what to expect and timeframes.
So if you feel the pressure, end the meeting.
experienced installers
Now you might think that this is an obvious one. But it’s surprising to how many inexperienced installers are out there in the industry. So how do you know the company has experienced installers?
There are a few things you can ask:
- How many years of experience do your installers have? A veteran window installer would have more than 5 years of experience.
- Are the installers Window Wise Certified and do they have liability insurance?
- Do the installers check locks on the windows and make sure they open and close?
- Are they well-informed about the products they are installing? You might have some questions during the installation of the windows. You want to make sure they can answer your questions.
- What kind of caulking do they use? Expert window installers would know the proper caulking to use and to also create a perfect bead.
- Do they use drop cloths and runners during installation? You want to make sure the company you hire takes extra care in your home and leaves no mess.
selection of quality products
There are a lot of options out there for window products, but there are few things to consider when asking about the products:
- Does the company carry a wide selection of ENERGY STAR® certified windows?
- What materials do they offer? Vinyl, wood, steel, fiberglass? Each material has its pros and cons depending on the house and project. An experienced window company would go through each material to see which one is best suited for your home and budget.
- Are the windows made in Canada? A Canadian company will know the climate and environment better than a foreign company. It’s always best to support Canadian made products.
- Does the window company do custom trimming? A few window companies offer pre-cut standard trimming. But, with custom trimming, you can choose the style, size and look of the window trim.
- How many colour options do they offer? The more colour options you have the better. Not every homeowner wants a black or white window. Fun fact: We have installed red windows for a client before.
reviews
What are other people saying about the window company? Check their rating on Homestars and Google and read the comments. When reading the comments, what do they say about installation and customer service?
For bad reviews, the #1 thing to look for is how the company responds. Were they polite or rude? Did the issue get resolved right away? How did it get resolved? We don’t live in a perfect world with perfect people, so there will always be bad reviews. But it’s how the company handles a bad situation which IS most important.
digital and offline presence
You should also see if the company is active on social media, blogs, videos, magazines or TV shows. With videos, you can sometimes get a behind-the-scenes look at the company and the people working there. Instagram is a great place to see what projects they are working on and how they engage with their audience. Plus, it’s easy to scroll through all the pretty photos. The next Instagram post you see from the company might inspire your next home renovation.
People might say print is dead, but magazines are still everywhere. Especially at the grocery checkout line, doctors’ offices and the libraries. You might have seen our windows and doors featured in Style at Home or House and Home.
Purchasing replacement windows is a big investment. You should take your time and do your due diligence before you select a window company.
Ready to start asking window companies questions? Check out our printable cheat sheet to get you started.
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