The Window Source The Best & Worst Advice For Buying Replacement Windows New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine
Spring is not far away after a chilly winter here in New England. What a welcome relief! Spring cleaning is just around the corner (if you haven’t started already!) and it’s a great time to consider renovating your house with some new replacement windows. Replacement windows make a bold architectural statement while also adding value to your home and protecting your family from the elements. Before you choose a contractor, here’s a list of a some good & bad advice to consider when hiring a professional.
Good Advice: Ask Your Friends & Family For Referrals
Regardless of what kind of work you are having done to your house, getting recommendations and referrals are very important. Ask your friends and family if they’ve ever hired a company to change their windows and what their experience was like. If there’s a trend of good and positive comments, you can see that the company follows through with their promises and delivers a product that leaves customers satisfied. When you hear negative comments from people, especially previous customers, you should start looking for another contractor.
Bad Advice: Replacement Windows are Similar, So Buy the Cheapest Ones
With forty years of manufacturing improvements, replacement windows are immensely different today than they were in the past. Today’s windows are more customizable and they come with options for sound reduction, energy efficiency, UV rays reduction, and color fading prevention. They are made from a wide variety of construction materials and offer multiple panes of glass. Some replacement windows will be more expensive than others, but these improvements can pay for themselves in their longevity and energy savings.
Good Advice: Find a Contractor is Licensed & Bonded
When hiring a contractor, make sure that ask whether they are licensed and bonded. Licensed contractors will ensure that the installation of replacement windows is performed according to the standards set out by the industry. Bonded contractors carry the required insurance and should something go wrong during the installation, your contractor can correct the issue with no added expense to you.
Bad Advice: Pay the Contractor in Full Before They Start the Project
If your contractor asks for a complete payment before working, then you should look for another contractor. Never completely pay for services that haven’t been rendered. An honest contractor may ask you for a deposit at the beginning of the project. Some contractors even offer financing plans.
Good Advice: Ask About The Warranties Your Contractor Offers
Most manufacturers provide lifetime warranties on the labor and parts. Does your contractor offer free labor to install the covered parts. Not all warranties are the same. Be sure to ask your contractor whether or not they provide you with a truly full coverage on your window installation.
Bad Advice: Sign the Contract Now to Get an Exclusive One-day Deal
You should never sign a contract that offers a good deal that will only last for one day. Look for a different contractor and do not accept the offer. Your “deal” shouldn’t stop you from being able to sleep on your decision.
Do you have advice on choosing a contractor? Have you heard any bad advice? Follow these tips today and make the best choice for your home and let us know about your experience in the comments. And don’t forget! Window Source NH offers free consultations, so call us today!
