How long have they been in business? What is their name and address? Do they carry full coverage insurance? Do they have any references? What kind of warranty do they offer?
When you think of things like your HVAC system upgrade, your roof, and landscaping— you shop around pretty heavily. You’re asking questions about efficiency, the cost, and how long the warranty is— questions that come easily to you. However, when people think about window replacement in Houston, they suddenly don’t know what to ask. That’s probably because most people don’t think twice about their windows as long as they’re working properly. The moment they get a leaky window, a broken sash, or a pane of glass that comes loose though—now they’re looking. Once you begin the internal debate in your mind on whether to get new windows then the hard part comes:
You don’t realize how hard it is until you realize just how many different window companies there are in Houston. To make things even worse, there’s always a handful of fly-by-night window installers selling their “$99 window deals.” If you’ve read our other blogs—those are gimmicks, good isn’t cheap, and cheap isn’t good but it can be affordable. The key is asking the right questions of any company that offers window replacement in Houston. We’re not just talking about what windows you’re going to choose, the style, and the colors. We’re talking questions about the actual company. It’s important to know who is going to be working in your home. The work they do can substantially improve your life when done right, or make life difficult for you when done wrong. You need to be sure that you’re hiring someone with a track record of excellent service, exceptional installation skills, and professionalism. Without those three elements, you’re walking into a risky business transaction that can leave you feeling taken.
Window replacement in Houston is a process that has more moving parts than you might think. There’s a lot of questions you should be asking but we’re going to cover the critical ones. Because, before choosing a company for the job, you need to be confident that you’re protected. So, let’s get to the big five critical questions you need to be asking. While these are not the entirety of the questions you can ask, these will increase the odds of a job well done.
While even a relatively new window installer in Houston can be a stellar business, experience does matter. It would be different if you knew of the company already and have seen their work personally. But just finding them on Google, you need to realize that how long they’ve been in business can reveal a lot. A business that has been around for a decade or more is likely going to have an established track record. They’ll have more online reviews. While a younger company might have stellar reviews, it doesn’t guarantee they’re consistent. So, it really comes down to a judgment call on your part, get a feel for them first. Asking the rest of these questions will help you more with this first one as well.
You might assume a company is fully insured because it’s the law—and you might regret assuming that. It’s not always the case both for intentional reasons and unintentional. When you get your answer, always ask for proof of coverage. In Texas, contractors for window replacement in Houston must have at least $300,000 of general liability coverage (per occurrence). They must also carry worker’s compensation with a minimum of $100,000 coverage (per accident). Always get their certificates of insurance before agreeing to any work order. Companies can accidentally let their insurance lapse or they can intentionally operate without it to cut costs—either way, it’s a huge red flag. Uninsured window installers in Houston are more common than you might think. So, if the quote you receive sounds too good to be true, be wary. They could be running uninsured, or at the very least, you’re getting some poorly made windows. The risk you run with working with an uninsured installer is that you are then responsible for:
Any business can tell you they do great work, especially when it comes to window replacement in Houston. It’s not like you can see their work as you can with tangible products. Service providers that do excellent work, will have good references they are more than happy to share with you. Ask them for about three or four references Whether you find those reviews on websites such as Facebook, The Good Contractor’s List, Nextdoor, and others—do your due diligence here. Those reviews will tell you volumes about the company. Make sure you also pay attention to the details such as:
This is one of the most important questions you can ask and get the answer in writing! If a company is offering a good product and good work they will stand behind it and give you a warranty. However, the terms of the warranty are crucial. Some warranties are only good for 3-5 years, others might be 15 or 20 years. Also what does the warranty cover, a good warranty should cover parts and labor for at least 20 years.
At The Window Source Of Houston, we do window replacement right. We focus on exceptional customer service, maximum proficiency, and a culture of honesty. Contact us today and get the best windows with free installation and a lifetime, no-hassle warranty.
Book a free window or door consultation in your home and start saving now with The Window Source of Houston!
