Before doing any major home upgrade work, getting quotes from multiple vendors for that work is a must. Window replacement services aren’t any different. When you compare your quote for impact windows installation, you can ensure that you’re getting the best window installation service at the best price.
But, what should you look for when you compare your quote for impact windows installation with other quotes? What are the warning signs of an installer who’ll likely try to ramp up extra charges after the fact?
Let’s start by going over the basics of a window installation quote and what to look for:
The Basic Elements of a Quote for Impact Windows Installation
So, what should you expect to see on a window installation quote from any reputable installer (or anyone who’s done more than ten minutes of research into running a windows installation company)?
Here are the basic elements of a quote form:
- Company Information. A reputable company will always include information that helps you identify them accurately, such as their name, address, email, phone number, and logo. Odds are this information will be published right at the top of the quote form.
- Your Information. The form should have space for your name and contact details so the company can reference it for their own records.
- Estimate Details/Identifiers. This will be information for the installer’s records that helps them identify the quote/estimate in their system. It should include a unique identifier, such as an estimate ID number, the date of issue, and the expiration date for the quote.
- Scope of Work. In this section, the window installation company will provide a detailed description of the service they will provide. It will also include a breakdown of the materials and services, such as the number and types of windows being replaced, what they’re made of, additional components for installation (shims, screws, plugs, foam, tape, etc.).
- Cost Breakdown. Any good window installation quote will break down exactly what the costs for the installation will be. This includes material costs for the windows and any tooling needed to install them, labor costs associated with installation, applicable taxes, and a total cost.
- Estimated Timeline. The quote for impact windows installation should give you an estimated time of completion for your window replacement job. Note that this is an estimate that may be subject to change due to factors such as availability of parts & labor or weather conditions.
- Terms and Conditions. Every quote for installation is going to have a list of terms and conditions that apply. This may spell out how some elements of the quote may be subject to change. For example, there may be a clause about cost of materials where, if the cost of your windows suddenly increases, then the installer may have to adjust the price of the installation work to account for the increased costs.
This is just an outline of the basic skeleton of a window installation quote. Specific companies may rearrange the components of the quote form or use different terms to refer to the same things.
5 Key Things to Watch Out For in an Impact Windows Installation Quote
Now that you know a little more about what is in a quote for impact windows installation, let’s talk about what you should keep an eye out for. Knowing what to look for can help you sort out the “Best-in-Class” window installation companies from the fly-by-nights who waste your time and money:
1: Incorrect Business Information
When you get the quote for impact windows installation, be sure to take a close look at the company contact information at the top of the sheet and compare it to their official business listings on Google or other search engines.
If the quote says they’re at 123 alphabet drive, Tampa and have a phone number of 555-5555, but their Google profile says they’re at 789 Fletcher Ave, Tampa and have the phone number 867-5309, that’s a pretty obvious sign that there’s something fishy going on.
Before you swallow that bait and write a check, swipe a card, or sign up for window installation financing, reach out to the company and verify that you talked to one of their employees when getting the quote.
Incorrect contact information does happen, especially in a growing business that is opening new locations, but it’s also a warning sign that someone may be impersonating a different company to con people out of their deposits.
2: Numbers That Don’t Add Up
Every quote for impact windows installation should have cost breakdowns that add up correctly with the total price quoted. Math errors on a quote are a very bad sign. A competent contractor will make sure that they get their math right before presenting a quote to you.
If your material, labor, and other associated costs don’t match up with the number in the “total” section of your quote, that could indicate either sloppiness on the part of the installer or malicious intent (it doesn’t matter if the initial quote total is wrong if they know it’ll change later).
In the case of sloppiness, that should leave you questioning what else they’ll be sloppy about. In the case of malicious intent, it could mean that they plan on racking up “unforeseen” added expenses later on in the installation process.
3: The Windows Specified Aren’t the Ones You Talked About
Odds are that you’ve heard of the term “bait and switch,” where a business advertises or offers one product or service, but delivers a different service or product instead. It’s not just a tactic for telemarketers and door-to-door salesmen!
Some less scrupulous window installation companies may talk about one window when recommending what to install, and even price their services as if that was the window they were going to install… but write down a different window on the installation quote.
When you get your quote, be sure to read the itemized description in the scope of work and the cost breakdown carefully to verify that the windows you talked about are the ones in the quote for service.
It can also help to go to the manufacturer website to review their products and check that they have the features that your installer claimed they have (or have options to have those features installed).
When windows have optional upgrades that you want, check that those upgrades are specifically called out in the cost breakdown. Otherwise, that could become another ‘surprise charge’ later.
4: Confusing Terms and Conditions
Okay, reading Terms and Conditions sections in contracts and quotes for window installation isn’t fun. We know. However, it’s important to check this section of your quote for window installation to get a feel for if the installer is planning to do something screwy with your windows.
Some big red flags for scammy Terms and Conditions (T&C) agreements include:
- One-Sided Clauses. Does the T&C show ‘proper consideration’ for you as the customer, or does it feel a little too one-sided in the installer’s favor? If there are unequal rights for cancelling your contract or ridiculous penalties (such as having to pay full price for the windows regardless of whether they’re actually installed if you try to cancel the job), then that might be a flag so red tomatoes end up looking pink in comparison.
- Clauses Allowing the Installer to Change the Terms After You Sign w/o Notification. Sometimes, agreements may be subject to change. Terms like “prices in quote are subject to change if the cost of goods increases” are normal. However, terms that allow the installer to rewrite the whole contract without notifying you or getting your consent are not.
- Surprise Fees. Does the installer ‘reserve the right to charge extra for XYZ costs at their discretion’ or have other language in the T&C indicating that they may charge extra for things not spelled out in the window installation quote? A depressingly large number of companies rely on hidden or surprise fees to get in the door with customers by appearing less expensive up front, then tacking on ‘unexpected additional expenses’ once the installation job actually begins.
- Vague or Confusing Terms Written in Legal Double-Speak. A good T&C should be relatively easy to understand with plain language, not legal jargon written by a lawyer in such a way that the terms are nearly impossible to understand. It should spell out for you what your obligations are, what the installer’s obligations are, and be descriptive. If the Terms and Conditions reads like it’s in a different language, then you might want to avoid that quote for impact windows installation!
5: The Window Company Never Inspected Your Home
Okay, this isn’t so much a problem with the quote paperwork as it is with the window installation company’s process. However, one of the biggest red flags we always tell our customers to look out for is the installer not performing an onsite inspection of your home before providing a quote for service.
This goes double if all they do is ask you for the size of your windows and the number of windows to be installed.
A window installation quote is not going to be reliably accurate if the installer doesn’t know about the conditions at your home. For example, is the window opening in a concrete or wooden building frame? Are there any forms of structural damage that could affect the installation process? Is the opening irregularly shaped in any way?
Having the answers to these questions is paramount to making the most accurate quote for impact window installation possible. If an installer is flying blind and only basing their quotes on the length and width of your window openings, the final price you pay and the price you’re quoted up front may end up being VERY different things.
Compare Your Quote for Impact Windows Installation
Looking for a reliable quote for impact window installation from a company you can trust? Already have a quote from another window installer? Reach out to Karoly Windows and dare to compare your quote!
Here’s the process:
- Upload your detailed quote including the product details, installation details, pricing, and warranty information.
- We’ll perform a comprehensive analysis of the quote and all of its details, then reach out to you with a custom offer.
- If we can offer you a better deal, we’ll show you how and why so you know you’re getting a better quote for service! If we can’t, we’ll tell you honestly and explain why so you can rest assured that you explored all your options.
At Karoly Windows & Doors, we’re so confident that we’ll give you the best quote for impact windows installation service that we have a Price Match Guarantee. We’ll match the price for any quote for window installation for comparable products and services, or we’ll explain why the other quote isn’t feasible!
Book an in-home window installation quote today to get one of the most accurate and reliable quotes for service in the industry!
