Do This Before Hiring a Window and Door Contractor
The beauty and value of your home is surely affected by your doors and windows. The way they appear and also how they are fixed matters a lot. Doors and windows goes beyond looks, they also serve as protection for tenants. The issue here is selecting the right door and window contractor.
In hiring a contractor, ensure that you trust them. There are certain things you should do to determine how trustworthy they are since they will be handling a very sensitive project. Hiring professional contractors can be costly, but this shouldn’t mean that you hire someone that would end up doing a shabby job. When they are not properly installed, windows and doors would reduce the resale value of the house and also make it less energy efficient. This guide will help you hire the best door and window installer.
Endeavor to make enquiries from three or more installers, asking for written estimates. Their price may vary, but don’t just rush to select the lowest bidder, ask for explanations for their price. In addition to making enquiries, do a background check on their professional license, bonding and insurance policies.
Find out if the bid offered by an installer is a fixed price or just an estimate. Visit their website and have a feel of how they operate, if they adhere to best safety practices and how they treat customers. Also, Don’t forget to consult your homeowner’s insurance company to know if there are additional things you should take note of.
When you are rushed or pressured to sign anything by an installer, you should be careful, and take your time to know what they are trying to hide. Picking the right installer requires time, so don’t be in a hurry. When they present the contract to you, ensure that you totally understand all terms and conditions before you pen down your signature.
Have a discussion with the potential installers about interior and exterior access to your home. Discuss about situations that may influence their performance such as their clean up and bad weather policies, and be sure that the installers and their contractors are bonded. The estimate of your project could be over $6,000, and if so find out if the installer will post a performance bond for the whole cot of the project.
Now that you have screened your list of installers and have a few that looks promising, ensure that you ask them certain questions to ascertain their expertise, how long they have been in business and if they are active in business. Also ask them for reference and possibly testimonies, know if they will be using subcontractors and if they are bonded. Know how they prefer payment, as paying cash should never be an option.
Conclusion
Getting the right door and window contractor is important, and you should go about it diligently. With the tips and guidelines in this article, you surely are on the right track in finding a trustworthy installer for your door and windows. Be patient, get this right and you will be glad you did.
