How to Choose the Right Window and Door Company (Part 4): Workmanship

The 4^th critical element to take into consideration is workmanship. Before you choose a contractor to work on your home, make sure he employs certified InstallationMasters installers. InstallationMasters installers have been trained on proper installation techniques for windows and doors and have passed quality and proficiency exams. Here are 6 simple ways to identify a contractor that will provide you with the quality workmanship you deserve:

Jobsite Photos: A contractor who excels at service and craftsmanship should be eager to show you photos of past projects similar to yours. If your contractor can’t do this, this should be a major red flag!

Price Integrity: Unfortunately, a common practice in the contracting industry is to give an estimate with an inflated price built in, and to use a price-drop sales tactic if the customer says the estimate is too high. Under these circumstances, buyers beware. If a contractor uses these types of tactics when selling, how will he handle the installation of your project? An ethical contractor will start with the real and fair cost to you.

Money Back Guarantee: Did you know that less than 1% of all contractors offer a money back guarantee against problems you may experience while having work done on your home? A money back guarantee ensures that if something goes wrong with your home improvement project that cannot be fixed by reasonable measures, the contractor will refund your money. This is a guarantee that only the most capable and confident contractors would agree to. Protect yourself by choosing a contractor who can offer a money back guarantee. 

Lowest Price Guarantee:  Every homeowner out there is looking for the best possible value for the best possible price. It’s important to remember that price is only one component of the value equation, so you need to be sure to compare prices of contractors who are offering similar value. An honest contractor will offer you great value and a guarantee in writing that he will match the lowest price you can find on identical products, workmanship and warranties. 

A Legitimate Lifetime Warranty: A contractor worthy of your consideration will back any product they manufacture and install with a no-small-print 100 percent lifetime warranty. This warranty should cover any and all defects in the products and installation. Many contractors simply pass on the warranty from the manufacturer of the window, and that only covers the product. In the fine print on these warranties, you’ll notice they do not cover issues that are related to installation or the labor required to replace defective parts. Also hidden in the fine print are labor charges for service or proration clauses, which over time, reduces the real value of coverage. “Lifetime” looks great in the title, but be sure to take to time to find out what is buried in the fine print. Be sure to get any and all concerns clarified in writing.