Window and door quotes are hard to compare because the product and the installation are sold together, and the installation is where the quality difference lives. A good window badly installed is a bad window, and a mid-range window well installed will outperform it.
Compare quotes on four things, in this order: installation method, frame and glass specification, warranty (product and labour separately), and what is included for trim, disposal, and finishing.
What to compare, line by line
- Installation method: full-frame replacement versus insert installation, and why the installer recommends one.
- Frame and glass: material, glazing, and any coatings, named specifically.
- Warranty: product warranty and labour warranty, separately, with durations.
- Included work: trim, interior finishing, disposal of old units, and cleanup.
Questions people ask
Is full-frame replacement always better?
Not always. Insert installation suits sound existing frames and costs less in labour; full-frame suits damaged frames or a size change. Ask why the installer recommends one for your openings.
What voids a window warranty?
Usually poor installation or unapproved modifications. That is why the labour warranty matters as much as the product warranty.
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