Windows are one of those things in a home that impact occupants in a number of ways, and that means finding a window contractor is an important task when considering renovation. Believe it or not, windows can do everything from encourage healthy sleep patterns to lower your heating bills, and there is a very detailed science behind how many windows and where they should go in a home for optimal wellbeing.

To be fair, most homes built before the last ten years probably didn’t take much into account other than an aesthetic window to wall ratio, and depending on who built the home, the quality of those windows was likely just enough to get by. Modern energy requirements have tightened the requirements surrounding windows, so most new homes have energy efficient glass that meets a certain insulation rating. No matter why you’re looking to replace your windows or add in new ones, this is an important decision that a homeowner should have a keen interest in. You might want to hire a window contractor to make the decision for you, but you should never be an uneducated consumer, especially in the matter of your home.

First and foremost, window replacement or window selection starts with research. It's okay to not want to shoulder the responsibility for making a window choice, but it can be helpful to your wallet if you understand some window basics and what a window contractor is getting paid to do. Window contractors, also known as window installers, aren’t required by law in most states to have a special license, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be professional, and it certainly doesn’t mean they shouldn’t carry their own insurance. Remember, any time you invite someone onto your property who doesn’t reside there, you open yourself up to liability, particularly if there is construction work involved. Understand what level of protection you and the window contractor need to have in place before agreeing to any project terms. Another important area of research is cost. Unless you are lucky enough to find secondhand windows or have a window wholesaler in your area, most window manufacturers will only sell their products to a verified sales location, like a home improvement store or a general contractor. Again, this has to do with liability; the manufacturer takes less responsibility if a contractor is the one selling directly to the client. Since you can’t buy from a manufacturer directly, your window fees will have a profit margin percentage added to them. While most window contractors use an industry standard for their markups, it is important to compare the cost of windows – by brand – between your candidates.

Once you’ve learned a little bit about windows and what level of quality you need to look for, you can truly start the quest to find a window contractor. For most people, reliable work comes through word of mouth, and this means reaching out to family and friends who might have recommendations from their own projects. Talking to people you know about their experiences can be invaluable; they will have insight into questions you should ask but maybe didn’t know about. Sometimes you learn things during a project, and you’d never think to ask about something if you didn’t know it could be a potential issue. In the event you have no referrals from the people you trust the most, you can take your search to the Internet, though here you should always proceed with caution. The Internet is a wonderful thing, and it can definitely help you find the top candidates for your window job. Keep in mind, however, that it is fairly easy for companies to solicit positive reviews. If you want an accurate representation of what you’re getting into, the best bet is to check in with the Better Business Bureau to see if any of the contractors you are considering have complaints on file.

Now that you have some candidates, you can start your phone interview process. Be sure to ask for all the basics, including fees and availability, but don’t be afraid to ask some of the more difficult questions, too. Does this window contractor have past jobs you can visit, or pictures you can review? Have they done any work for the commercial world (where liability standards are often higher)? Who are their manufacturers and why do they prefer those companies? What happens if a window you order arrives broken or is the wrong size? Who takes care of mistakes? Who takes care of cleanup? Will this window contractor come to your home to do an assessment first? Will you have a signed contract? What are the deposit and payment requirements? Will they provide an itemized estimate? All of these are very important questions to ask before you get involved with someone.

When considering how to hire a window contractor for your job, always see if he or she will come out for a home assessment. Sometimes this service comes with a fee, but many times a window installer will visit your home free of charge so everyone has an accurate idea of what the project will entail. This is an excellent opportunity for you to meet this person face to face. You want to make sure you have a positive interaction; that this person gives off the impression of being professional, trustworthy, and reliable. While it isn’t fair to judge a book by its cover, most professional people know how they present themselves speaks volumes to the level of work they will be expected to uphold. You are bringing someone into your home to provide you a service. You should absolutely feel comfortable and confident in their abilities.

In the event you struggle to find a promising window contractor, you may also consider hiring a general contractor to do the work. While sometimes higher in cost, a general contractor is just as capable of doing windows, and if you have a large project going, they can help in most other areas of construction as well.