Get help replacing windows

Before you call

These make the first call useful. Rough counts are enough at this stage.

• Your ZIP code. Calls are routed by area.
• How many windows, and which rooms. A rough count by floor is enough.
• The year the house was built. If it was built before 1978, the rules on lead paint below apply to the job.
• What is wrong with the current windows. Drafts, fog or moisture between the panes, soft or rotted frames, windows that won’t stay open, or rooms that overheat in the sun.
• Any approvals you need. A homeowners association or a historic district may have rules about how new windows look. Check before you choose a style.

Questions to ask before you sign

If the house was built before 1978: is your firm EPA Lead-Safe Certified? In general, the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requires anyone paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces in a home built before 1978 to be certified in lead-safe work practices. Ask whether the job will disturb paint. The EPA’s program page links to a search for lead-safe certified firms.

What are the NFRC ratings, and do they meet ENERGY STAR for my climate zone? ENERGY STAR certified windows are tested and certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council, and the ENERGY STAR performance criteria differ by climate zone. Ask for the U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient of the exact product being quoted.

Is a permit needed, and who gets it? The Federal Trade Commission lists a contractor who asks you to get the building permits as a sign of a scam.

What is in the written estimate? The FTC advises getting more than one estimate, in writing, with a description of the work, the materials, a completion date, and the price. For windows, ask that it list each opening, the product and its options, removal and disposal of the old windows, and the interior and exterior trim work.

How to check a license

Licensing rules for window installers differ from place to place. The FTC’s advice applies everywhere: confirm the license with your state or county government, and ask for proof of insurance. Be wary of anyone who wants the full amount up front or in cash only.