Before choosing your contractor for an affordable window repair or replacement, be sure that you can fully trust them and that their estimate is transparent and complete.
Door-to-door contractors, for example, flock to areas impacted by storms and can scam unsuspecting homeowners with offers that boast prepayment or covered deductibles. The best way to avoid scams is to choose a local, trusted contractor — someone who has been around your area for a length of time.
You will want to work with someone whose reputation and reliability are central to their success. You can confirm this by checking their physical business address and validating their licensing.
Here are some warning signs that can protect your local window repair or replacement project:
- Avoid contractors who request the entire window replacement cost, or large cash deposit, up front. A down payment should not exceed 10% or $1,000.
- Avoid anyone who pressures you to sign a contract immediately after meeting.
- Be wary of any outliers in your quotes. All window replacement estimates should be relatively similar in costs unless the material type is significantly different.
- You’ll want to avoid any window contractors who are not licensed or insured.
When it comes to window replacement projects, there are some hidden costs homeowners could be surprised by down the line. The best way to avoid these is to ask the contractor about them beforehand to ensure that they won’t be an issue or that they are already accounted for.