PRE-QUALIFY YOUR CONTRACTORS BEFORE YOUR WINDOW & DOOR PROJECT

As you interview prospective contractors, refer to this list of questions. Be satisfied with all given answers BEFORE you sign any contract:

General Questions about the Contracting Company

• How long have you been in business?
• Are you an authorized dealer for all of the products that will be installed?
• Do you service the products that you install?
• Are you a member of any business networks such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or any other organizations?
• Will you provide me with a copy of your Better Business Bureau report?
• Where is your showroom located?

License and Insurance

• What kind of license do you have (General Contractor or Glazing Contractor)?
• Is your license valid and does it have a good history?
• Who holds the license and does she or he legally qualify your company?
• Will you provide me with a copy of your license?
• Will you provide me with a copy of your Workers' Compensation and Liability Insurances?

Experience and References

• Do you have at least six (6) years of experience, especially in the field of window and door replacement?

BEWARE: Numerous companies have many years of new construction experience and little or no experience in remodeling.

• Have you performed any window and door replacement work in my municipality?
• Are you able to provide me with at least three (3) remodeling references that I can contact?

Installation

• Who does your installation? Is it done by your own technicians or by sub-contractors hired by you?
• If you do use subcontractors, are they fully licensed and insured?
• Are the installers trained with the products offered to me?
• Does installation includes drywall, stucco and window sill repairs?
• Do you replace damaged buck (window and door framing)?
• Will you add an additional charge for bucks and sills?

Permitting and Inspections

• Do you supply permitting and engineering?
• What is the charge for the permit required for my project?
• Who is responsible for scheduling final inspection with the city?
• Are you going to have a company representative attending at all of the necessary city inspections on my project?

Product Approvals and Warranties

• Will you provide me with a copy of the product approval for the product offered to me?
• Will you provide me with a copy of the product and the installation warranties?
• How many years of installation (labor) warranty is the company offering?

Written Contract

• Will you provide me with a written contract that details all of the work that will be performed, including related costs and final completion date?
• Will the contract exclude any work that you expect after the job is complete? (Such as: clean-up, stucco, drywall, tile, etc.)
• Does the contract have a detailed payment plan and what are my options?