Questions You Need to Ask Before Choosing a Chicago Window Company
Replacing your windows can be very stressful and there are many things to consider. You should pick a window contractor that will ease the pressure and give you peace of mind. There are a few questions you need to ask before choosing a Chicago window company to know they’re right for you.
Do They Charge for an Estimate?
For Chicago window companies to give you a proper estimate, they need to do measurements and meet with you for a consultation. Before agreeing to anything, make sure the in-home estimate is free. Many companies try to charge you to come into their home. That’s their way of making money without actually replacing any windows. Make sure the estimate is free before going further with any Chicago window company.
How Long Have They Been in Business?
How long a company has been in business says something about the quality of their work and their customer service. If a window contractor didn’t offer a product that was in demand or a service that was valuable to the customer, they wouldn’t last very long.
That’s why you must ask how long a company has been in business before making a decision. This doesn’t mean a younger company won’t offer a great product or service, but you’re taking a risk on an unknown. It’s always beneficial to go with a Chicago window company that has built a positive reputation.
What Materials are Their Windows?
This is one of the most important questions to ask before signing on the dotted line. Not every company sells the same style of windows. They can be made from wood, vinyl, aluminum or fiberglass. Some Chicago window companies won’t tell you what their windows are made from so you’ll need to ask. Here are the benefits of each material:
- Wood – has an elegant, traditional look but will cost you more money.
- Vinyl – light weight and energy efficient. They offer wood like grains that are very similar to real wood. Vinyl also costs less money and is easier to maintain than wood.
- Aluminum – sturdy and durable window material. They don’t offer the same elegant look you’ll get with wood or vinyl.
- Fiberglass – By far the cheapest material but offers much less than the other three. It isn’t as durable, energy efficient or beautiful.
The material choice for your windows is completely up to you, but you need to make sure that the window company offers what interests you. Don’t assume they have what you want.
Are Their Windows Energy Star Certified?
Having an energy efficient window will save you money on your utility bills. They do this by trapping heat or air in your home while protecting you from the outside elements. This will make your air conditioner and furnace work more efficiently.
That’s why it’s important to make sure a Chicago window company sells Energy Star Certified windows. This means they’re among the elite in energy efficiency. With Chicago’s erratic weather changes, you’re going to want to make sure your home is properly insulated.
What Are Their Payment Plans?
An important question you should ask before signing anything is how you are going to pay for replacement windows? Not all companies have the same payment plans and you could be signing onto something you can’t afford. That last thing you want is to be in debt over a home improvement project.
Something else to consider are a window company’s finance options or financing deals. No interest for a certain amount of time is a fantastic deal that not all window companies offer. It gives the customer an opportunity to pay off their window without accruing any interest.
Can You See Recent Projects From Their Company?
Many Chicago window companies are all talk. They can tell you about the many different home important projects they’ve worked on but will they show you? Ask them for a list of homes they’ve recently worked on and go check them out yourself.
Don’t settle with images they provide either. That picture could come from anywhere. You want to see definitive proof that the company isn’t playing you. Look at their work for yourself and determine if this is a company you’d like working on your home.
How Would They Handle a Service Issue After Installation?
When you get replacement windows installed from a reputable company, there are rarely issues so many customer ignore the fact that they can occur. You have to be prepared for anything and everything though. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. Ask them how they handle service issues once they’ve finished installing your windows.
You want a window company that will be able to assist you whenever something occurs. They need to stand behind their product and support the customer. With Chicago’s constantly changing weather, they also need to be prepared for problems caused by the elements.
It’s also important to know if there are any warranties with their windows. This is another way to show that the company stands behind their product. If they offer an substantial warranty, then they’re confident that there won’t be any issues.
They Shouldn’t Avoid the Questions
If a window company is right for you, they should be able to answer any of these questions. Avoiding them means they don’t have an answer and that should be a red flag. You want someone you can trust working on your home and if they can’t answer questions before the project starts, what’s going to happen while they’re working? What if something goes wrong?
Make sure they’re up front with you and answer the exact questions you’re asking. After all, they’re competing for your business.
Get the Perfect Chicago Window Company
There are many window companies in Chicago so it may be hard to choose the right one. Ask the right questions and make sure you find one that fits your needs. After all, replacing your windows isn’t an easy job so you want someone you can trust.
