Be sure to verify and confirm these items with your contractor.
LICENSE
- Is the contractor licensed in the category of work you are requesting?
- Verify that the license is still current and in good standing.
- Verify that the holder of the license legally qualifies the company you are hiring.
INSURANCE
- Does the contractor have liability and workers compensation insurance?
EXPERIENCE
- Does the contractor have at least 5 years’ experience replacing impact windows and doors in South Florida?
INSTALLATION
- Ask if all of the contractor’s installers are employees or subcontractors.
- If they use subcontractors be sure to get proof that the subcontractors are all licensed and fully insured.
- Be sure you are hiring them to do a complete installation so that you won’t need someone else to finish any details such as stucco or drywall repair.
- Be sure that the window replacement will include replacement of any rotted wood.
- Find out their policy about replacement of broken window sills.
REFERENCES
- Can the contractor provide the name, phone number, and addresses of their most recent past customers?
- References from a window installation company will show the type of work and customer service they provide.
- Does the contractor’s written contract detail every aspect of the installation?
- Be sure to check that the contractor’s license number is printed on the contract that you are asked to sign.
- Make sure the installation contract explains when payments are due.
OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS OF DISCUSSION FOR YOUR INSTALLATION PROFESSIONAL
- Check to see if the contractor is an authorized dealer for the products that are to be installed.
- Make sure that everything is done with a permit.
- How much does the contractor charge for permitting?
- Verify that the name of the contractor you hired is the same as the contractor named on the permit.
- When the installation is completed be sure that the contractor will schedule the final permit inspection with the city.
- Before you sign a contract find out about the warranties on the products and the installation work.
- Be sure to find out how long the warranties will continue to be in effect.
- It is best to find a contractor that will also service the products they install.
- How long has the contractor been in business?
- Be sure that there is a written contract that outlines all of the details of the work to be done.